THE DEADLY BEES

One of the few companies that gave gothic horror titans Hammer Studios a run for their blood money in the 60s and 70s, Amicus produced several intriguing horror and science fiction chillers. Often the company used the same stars as their rivals as well, employing such luminaries as Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in fright flicks that ranged from elegantly told to crass trash. If Hammer brought sex and blood to the supernatural gothic formula, then Amicus added a sense of campy fun, with many of their finest horror movies sharing the same sense of dark humor as its chief script writer, Robert Bloch. Bloch scripted several anthologies for Amicus, many from his own original short stories, merging bitter horror and shocking endings with a consistent sense of gallows humor. Along with Anthony Marriot, Bloch took his pen in hand again for The Deadly Bees. A sci-fi/horror hybrid with a believable tone and slowly mounting suspense, this nature-amock feature is surprisingly engaging, emphasizing both the terror of the titular insects and the dark instincts of that most horrible of monsters, the guy next door.

Vicki Robbins (Suzanna Leigh), an emotionally drained popular singer, worries her associates when she collapses on stage during a performance. Sent to a remote island for relaxation by her physician, she chooses "Seagull Island." Lodging with middle-aged couple Ralph Hargrove and his wife Mary (who are anything but happily married), Vicki begins to suspect there is more than meets the eye to Mr. Hargrove, none of it very comforting. This sinister gentleman is obsessed with his bees, and when a dog and his wife are killed, he becomes a prime suspect. With the help of Manfred, an eccentric yet brilliant neighbour, Vicki soon discovers a horrible secret . . . has Ralph Hargrove discovered the 'smell of fear?' And will Vicki be the next victim?

Based on H. F. Heard's slim and masterful suspense novel A Taste of Honey, Robert Bloch wrote the original treatment before director Freddie Francis asked for a rewrite by Marriot. While it's difficult to trace who contributed what, the story's plot and construction nowhere as effective as that of the novel. It is unfortunate that the authors didn't stay more faithful to their source material. While the general premise of an insane man training his bees to kill his enemies by smell is retained, and the film certainly evokes sharp moments of tension, the authors decided to exchange the male POV character of the novel for an ailing female starlet (perhaps because she was better to look at!). This and several other revisions drains something of the immediacy and slowly mounting terror of the novel. Thankfully the authors retained enough of the basic premise and tone to craft a slow burn drama quite different from what audiences weaned on Vault of Horror and Tales from the Crypt might expect. Still, what it might have been! As it is, Francis does his usual fine job of making much with little, employing interesting camera angles and creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. The movie was also extremely frustrating for the director, displeased with the script and the entire production. Little grue accompanies the surprisingly effective Bee attacks but a few close shots of violated human skin provide some memorable jolts. In all, this is a minor if effective drawing room thriller, chilling in scenes due to the evil of both its human and insect characters but only a pale echo of the novel which did it all so much better.

Legend Films is top be commended for another wonderful transfer. This DVD is offered in 1.78:1 widescreen with anamorphic enhancement. The Deadly Bees sports visuals that are clear, clean, and sharp. Details are generously emphasized and colors are vibrant and believable. The English Mono audio soundtrack is largely clean and crisp without any distracting deviances. Regrettably, no extras are included.

Review by William Simmons