Uriah43 "Vicki Robbins" (Suzanna Leigh) is a British pop singer who has a nervous collapse due to her hectic schedule and is sent by her doctor to a remote place called "Seagull Island" for some rest and relaxation. When she gets to the local hotel she meets the owner by the name of "Ralph Hargrove" (Guy Doleman) who seems rather aloof and prefers to spend his time tending his bee hives. So when a dog, that Ralph didn't like, is killed by bees Ralph's wife immediately thinks he had something to do with it--and so does Vicki. Then when Ralph's wife is also killed by swarms of bees Vicki becomes even more convinced. But proving it is another matter entirely. Now rather than reveal any more of this film I will just say that it was an adequate "Grade-Bee movie" for the most part which seemed to concentrate more on mystery than horror or suspense. Naturally, as one might expect from a movie produced in the mid-60s, the special effects were rather elementary compared to today's standards. But the acting was okay and all things considered it managed to fill the time satisfactorily enough. That said, I rate it as about average.

Chase_Witherspoon A London pop star suffering exhaustion is sent to convalesce in the country-side where she encounters a toxic mix of deranged ambition and a hybridized strain of killer bees that threatens not only her fragile sanity, but also her life. Leigh is a relative lightweight amongst her accomplished co-stars, with Doleman as the no-nonsense farmer and Finlay as his eccentric neighbour jostling for position as the dominant bee keeper. It's a rather unusual premise on which to base a complex whodunit, but provides a surprisingly strong basis for the mystery to unfold. Doleman's strained relationship with his apparently invalided wife, and the curiosities of relationships in an isolated rural community serve as an intervening backdrop to the troubled Leigh and her increasing concern at the strange events she witnesses.Veteran Hammer-horror director Francis has crafted an eerie little mystery, lacking none of the essential ingredients of a conventional mystery, with the notable exception of an impartial investigator. Most of the detective work is done by the protagonists, drip feeding the naive Leigh with twisted facts to conjure alibis and implicate the culprit. Francis does a fine job of concealing the mystery, carefully playing the doubt card, and tempering clues with red herrings and faux staging.Opening to the groovy fusion of art-house pop culture, Leigh's character is framed as a victim of excesses in a progressive London scene (there's an implied drug addiction, but it's vague) and from there, the film juxtaposes to the opposite extreme - an ultra conservative, socially incestuous rural setting, a deep isolation both geographically and socially for the central character. It's an engaging tussle between old-fashioned values and an emerging modern liberalism.Slated by critics, the film almost cheats itself with its bold title, because it's not ostensibly a movie of this genre. The bees are present as a vehicle only, and certainly they have comparably little to offer by way of shock value. But the intrigue that the many layers build, is compelling. Try it from a different angle and you may like what you find.

catfish-er Throughout the mid 60s and early 70s Amicus Productions churned out a series of wonderful little horror anthologies including my favorite, TALES FROM THE CRYPT.But, before launching into the more-profitable horror genre, where low-budgets were more easily forgiven, Amicus produced some full-length features, including THE DEADLY BEES.While watching this movie, you have to realize that this was a time before CGI, before Star Wars special effects and the like. Making a movie about killer bees isn't easy, as they don't necessarily make for the most horrifying "monsters." However, I think Amicus and Freddie Francis did a commendable job; and, really pulled this one off.The script is based on the novel 'A Taste for Honey' by H.F. Heard; and, was well-adapted to the screen by Robert Bloch (unlike other Amicus feature-length films, which were written by Amicus insider, Milton Subotsky). Block turned out quite a few exceptional screenplays (e.g., Psycho), including the Amicus production THE SKULL, among many others.The Deadly Bees isn't a dull film, the plot moves along quite well. The cinematography isn't always pretty; it is quite gritty around the farm, gorgeous around "Seagull Island;" and, quite slick and very "mod" in and around London.I think that it offers some very good shock sequences, despite the fact that the bee effects are not always convincing. This is especially true of the bathroom attack on Vicky Robbins, which was quite well done. Give it a try, with the right attitude; and, you won't be disappointed.

jamesraeburn2003 A British pop singer called Vicky Robins (Suzanna Leigh) is sent to the isolated "Seagull Island" by her doctor to recover from a nervous breakdown. However, there is a madman at large on the island who has developed a strain of killer bees, which he unleashes to kill people. Vicky has two bee keepers to choose from as likely suspects. But before the truth comes out, Vicky nearly becomes a victim of the killer swarm herself.More of a routine whodunit than a horror film, which is noted for its troubled production history (it was shot at Twickenham studios in the middle of winter and the bees had to be imported from Australia). It defeats the usually reliable genre director Freddie Francis whom has done much better work for Amicus including the highly successful anthology films "Dr Terror's House Of Horrors" (1965) and "Tales From The Crypt" (1972). This film also suffers from a lacklustre script, dull performances and poor special effects. Nevertheless, its still fun in an undemanding way and there's even an appearance from "The Birds" (no relation to the American superstars The Byrds), an obscure UK pop group which featured future Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood on guitar. Look out for him toting his Fender Stratocaster!