The theatrical version was compared with the preview version.

Phase IV

Biologist Hubbs notices that ants in a desert area in Arizona are changing their behavior. They are communicating between different ant species and build strange towers. Together with communications researcher James Lesko, he wants to investigate the behavior. A research station with state-of-the-art technology is set up in the middle of the desert. The two soon realize that the ants pose a serious threat...

Phase IV is the only feature-length film by graphic designer Saul Bass, who has created posters, logos and opening credits for many well-known films (for example Vertigo). Phase IV is a subtle sci-fi horror about ants influenced by cosmic radiation that become a threat to humanity. Unusually and excitingly staged.

Preview version on US Blu-ray

In the USA, Phase IV was released on March 26, 2024 by Vinegar Syndrome as a 3-disc set containing one 4K Ultra HD and two Blu-rays. The 4K Ultra HD and one Blu-ray contain the well-known theatrical version of the film, while the second Blu-ray contains the preview version. This is the original cut of the film, which was edited by Paramount shortly before its release. The preview version was restored on the basis of the 4K master, with the exclusive scenes in the preview version coming from a slightly poorer image source.

The preview version has a handful of additional shots and a little more dialog, but the most striking change is in the film's finale. Here we see a surreal montage which suggests that the ants are taking over the earth and enslaving humans. In the theatrical version, there is hardly anything left of this and a voice-over from James explains that he and Kendra have been changed by the ants and that the reason for this has yet to be explained to them. James' voice-over at the beginning of the movie is also missing in the preview version.

In my opinion, the preview version is the better cut of the movie. The surreal ending skillfully rounds off the already strange film. The end of the preview version was already in the bonus material of the German, British or French Blu-ray, but the complete preview version has now been released for the first time by Vinegar Syndrome.

Runtimes:
Theatrical version: 83:47 min.
Preview: 89:09 min.

[00:00:00][00:00:00]

The theatrical version begins with a shot of the universe. Phase I is shown in the top left. Some of the stars are condensing. James tells us that they have been following events closely this summer. A bright star orbits another star.

The preview version shows the same thing, but the effects seem to be different. The picture is more zoomed in. James' commentary is also missing.

Theatrical Version: 1:26 min
Preview: 1:57 min.


[00:01:36][00:02:08]

The preview version has another shot of one of the ant tunnels.

Preview Cut: 7 sec.


[00:01:41][00:02:20]

The ant coming out of the tunnel can be seen for longer.

Preview Cut: 3 sec


[00:01:48][00:02:30]

The preview version has two shots in which the ant stands up. The focus changes from the ant to the universe.

Preview Cut: 14 sec


[00:01:48][00:02:44]

In the theatrical version, the background is blue when the ant is seen. In the preview version it is red.

Theatrical version	Preview

No time difference.


[00:01:51][00:02:46]

The preview version shows another shot of the ant.

Preview Cut: 5 sec


[00:06:32][00:07:31]

Before you hear Ernest with his memorandum, the ants can be seen for longer in theatrical version, followed by another shot of the ants.

Theatrical Version: 5 sec


[00:16:19][00:17:14]

In the preview cut, the conversation on the porch is longer after Mildred has come out of the house.

Mildred says that's not true and points out what the ants did to the animals. Eldridge says that new insecticides are always being developed and asks James if this is true. James says that he has no idea.

Preview Cut: 13 sec


[01:11:49][01:12:58]

After James says that he doesn't know what the ants would do to the person, a bit more dialog follows in the preview version.

Kendra asks if the ants would be appeased if the person explained what happened. James again says that he doesn't know.

Preview Cut: 7 sec


[01:13:39][01:14:55]

After the ant climbs on Kendra's foot, Kendra tells the ants to listen to her and that she is not afraid of them. An ant bites Kendra.

Preview Cut: 8 sec


[01:13:40][01:15:04]

Shortly afterwards, the preview version shows Kendra being bitten again. Kendra wants to move on, but has to crouch again.

Preview Cut: 5 sec


[01:13:41][01:15:10]

Once again, the preview version shows Kendra being bitten. Then she is seen earlier trying to get up.

Preview Cut: 3 secs


[01:13:44][01:15:16]

The preview version shows another cut to the ant biting Kendra.

Preview Cut: 2 secs.


[01:13:51][01:15:24]

Kendra can still be seen running across the meadow in the preview version. She falls to the ground. Cut to a bird of prey in the sky.

Preview Cut: 15 sec.


[01:16:17][01:18:05]

In the theatrical version, Kendra's message is longer.

The preview version cuts to James remembering Kendra.

Theatrical Version: 3 secs.
Preview Cut: 4 sec.


[01:20:53][01:22:42]

The theatrical version shows Kendra. James is standing next to her and the two are surrounded by a mysterious light. James says that they were changed for the world of ants. They didn't know why, but they realize that they will be told. During this, cuts to James with Kendra and the ants. The sunrise before the credits starts earlier.

The preview version also shows James and Kendra being orbited, only here the light is missing. Some surreal scenes follow. James and Kendra walk through the desert and then along a building. People in boxes can be seen, watched over by an ant. James and Kendra walk through a labyrinth. People are connected to cables. One man's face is missing. A man is stuck in the desert sand and has a hole in his head from which an ant is crawling. Shots of James and Kendra are superimposed with the sun. One half of James' face and one half of Kendra's face are joined together. People are superimposed with frogs in the water and a bird of prey in the air. James and Kendra are back in the desert. Cuts to the ants. The credits start after a black screen. There is no voice-over from James here.

In the preview version, music can still be heard as the credits roll, while in theatrical version you can only hear the sound of the wind.

Theatrical Version: 48 sec.
Preview Cut: 4:20 min.