Why this works....

This film is as good as it is because everyone involved seemed to be taking their roles and the subject matter seriously. From James Whitmore to the supporting players (the great Fess Parker and the woman who played the mother of the missing boys) no one was "phoning" it in.

If the giant ants had been creations of Ray Harryhausen instead of attempts at anamatronics the film would have bee that much better. Thankfully the horror of the ants was mostly implied and we did not see too much of them to be distracted by how fake they looked. "The Deadly Mantis" was a better effect than these ants. I can only imagine budget, and that so many were required, limited production.

Sandy Descher who plays the little girl who first saw the ants worked in many many films and TV productions, is now remembered only for this one part screaming "Them! Them!" May not have been her greatest acting role; but it is the one she is known for!

Kudos all around to the cast and the director.