Alistair MacLean wrote many exciting books that were made into films but few of them were really great. This film "The Satan Bug" was not one of his best books,though it was OK, and the film made from it was only partially effective as a thriller, despite having the great storyteller James Clavell as a screenwriter. Alistair MacLean wrote interesting historical WWII novels like "The Guns of Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare". These films were popular and successful but,though good, were far from great even though they had star power like Gregory Peck and Richard Burton starring in them. The Satan Bug suffered from not having the same caliber of actors in it and seems like a B-movie."Ice Station Zebra" was a better film made from one of His books. MacLean also wrote cold war thrillers featuring rebellious,smart-alecky,outsiders trying to catch the bad guy/killer/spy before it's too late. The main characters funny,sarcastic sense of humor seldom came through in the films made from his books, and it's too bad. One of His better books that never made it to film was "Night Without End". Try it. By the way reviewers,Readers of these reviews have almost always seen the film being discussed and don't need a blow by blow description, but instead your opinions and critique only. Just saying.
Review of The Satan Bug
