Plague (1979 film)

Plague is a 1979 Canadian-American science fiction film about a genetic engineering accident, a fertilizing bacterium that escapes from a laboratory in Canada. The film is also known internationally as Induced Syndrome (UK), M-3: The Gemini Strain or Mutation (USA).[2]

Plague
American film poster
Directed byEd Hunt
Written byEd Hunt
Barry Pearson
Produced byEd Hunt
Barry Pearson
StarringDaniel Pilon
Kate Reid
Celine Lomez
Michael J. Reynolds
Music byEric N. Robertson
Release date
  • July 11, 1979 (1979-07-11)
CountriesCanada
United States[1]
Budget$CAD 525,000 (estimated)

Plot

When a group of scientist work to develop a bacterium to increase food yields is delayed by bureaucratic processes, Dr. Celia Graham (Brenda Donahue) ignores protocols and develops a bacteria called M3.

The new bacteria is accidentally released and causes sickness in children and death in others around the world. The disease is highly contagious, and the epidemic increases geometrically. Dr. Graham is killed by the virus, while an infected but unaffected woman spreads the disease in the manner of Typhoid Mary.

Scientists Dr. Bill Fuller (Daniel Pilon) and Dr. Jessica Morgan (Kate Reid) work tirelessly to develop an antidote to stop the contagion.[3]

Cast

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States by Group 1 International Distribution Organization Ltd. in January 1979.

The film was released on DVD in the United Kingdom from Prism Leisure Corporation as part of a 4-film collection (with Bram Stoker's Legend of the Mummy 2, Howling IV: The Original Nightmare and Night of the Living Dead) on October 7, 2002. It was also release individually from Prism Leisure, and by Digital Entertainment Ltd in 2008. As of 2018, the film has still not been officially released on DVD in the United States.

Reception

Creature Feature gave the movie two out of five stars. TV Guide found that the focus on the scientists in charge of finding the cure to be a plus, that overall the movie was laughable.[4] Moira also gave the movie two stars, finding it dull and offereing nothing original in the plague movie genre. It also found the production values to be shabby and its portrayal of a biolab's operating procedues to be lacking.

Awards

Nominated for best picture at the 1979 Catalonian International Film Festival and winner of the best screenplay at the same festival.[5]

References
  1. "Plague". American Film Institute. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  2. Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature: 3rd Edition
  3. "Plague > Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  4. "Plague".
  5. "FilmAffinity".
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