Exhausted pop singer Vicki Robbins (a solid and appealing performance by fetching blonde Suzanne Leigh) decides to take it easy by spending some time at a farm on a remote island. However, things go awry when a swarm of deadly bees start attacking folks left and right.The merely competent direction by Freddie Francis not only lets the meandering narrative plod along at a sluggish pace, but also crucially fails to generate much in the way of either tension or creepy atmosphere. Worse yet, the paint-by-the-numbers script by Robert Bloch and Anthony Marriott doesn't cut the mustard as a mystery thriller, with the identity of the person behind the whole thing being pretty obvious from the get-go. In addition, the chintzy (far from) special effects leave a lot to be desired. Fortunately, the sturdy cast keeps this movie watchable: Frank Finlay excels as friendly eccentric bee expert H.W. Manfred, Guy Doleman portrays gruff farmer Ralph Hargrove with delightfully crusty gusto, Catherine Finn likewise adds some vinegar as Hargrove's snippy rundown wife Mary, Kathy Wild exudes a tremendous amount of perky charm as the chipper Doris, and always reliable character actor Michael Ripper makes the most out of his sizable supporting part as amiable bar owner/constable David Hawkins. Both John Wilcox's sharp cinematography and the shivery score by Wilfred Josephs are up to par. A passable diversion at best.

I went into this film wanting to like it. I am a fan of Freddie Francis who directed the masterful GIRLY (one of the best and unique films I have ever seen) as well as actors Suzanna Leigh (LUST FOR A VAMPIRE) and the great character actor Michael Ripper (THE REPTILE) but there was nothing of value in this film. It was ripe for those guys at Mystery Science Theatre 3000.Suzanna Leigh plays an overworked popstar who falls flat on her backside while filming a song. Her doctor prescribes rest and sends her off to stay with an old friend on an island. Suzanna moves in with the Hargroves while on vacation but her arrival coincides with some attacks from a swarm of bees. Both Mr. Hargrove (Guy Doleman) and the eccentric Manfred (Frank Finlay) keep bees but which fellow is to blame for the attacks? Manfred blames Hargrove and befriends Suzanna, who suspects Hargrove of foul play when his wife is killed by the deadly bees.STORY: $ (This screenplay is very weak. I got the impression that the writer knew about as much on beekeeping as I do--which is zip. The bees swarm, make their kill, and disappear in a manner of seconds. People come rushing to their aid, seconds after an attack, and the bees have all departed. No one even hears so much as a buzz from the killer bees. And the dialogue, especially that from Frank Finlay's character, is absurd).ACTING: $$ (Nothing of note here. Suzanna Leigh does a great job with what is given her but she is in far better shape in such films as LUST FOR A VAMPIRE and LOST CONTINENT. Michael Ripper is always a treat even when he has little to do. He has more than a cameo in this film but he's really not on screen often enough for fans to clamor for this film. Guy Doleman is effectively curmudgeonly as Hargrove but Frank Finlay isn't up to the task of Manfred. Some of his line readings are laughable).NUDITY: None (About all anyone seems to remember from this little film is Suzanna Leigh fighting off a swarm of bees in her bra. That's really the highlight of this forgettable movie).

Vicki Robbins (Suzanna Leigh) is a singer in bad need of a rest. Her doctor contacts his friend, Ralph Hargrove (Guy Doleman), with a farm on a remote island that promises to provide Vicki the relaxation she desperately needs. When Vicki arrives, she discovers that Mr. Hargrove raises bees. So when Mr. Hargrove starts acting suspiciously and people begin dying from deadly bee attacks, it's natural for Vicki to suspect her host. But is Mr. Hargrove behind the trouble on Seagull Island?Given the names behind The Deadly Bees, it's understandable to hope, if not expect, something better than this. Even with Amicus Productions, Freddie Francis, and Robert Bloch involved with the movie, there are far too many problems to call The Deadly Bees "good". Three prime examples of the movie's many faults include: Special/Visual Effects – Most people tend to focus on the bee attacks when discussing the effects found in The Deadly Bees. And with good reason – they're bad. But the bee effects practically shine in comparison with the matte painting used as the background for the farm. In a word, it's pitiful. It wouldn't fool anyone.Characters – None of the characters involved with the plot are in any way likable. Even the films heroine, Vicki Robbins, hasn't got much going for her. And that makes it almost impossible to root for her or care what happens to her when she comes across as so unlikable.Plot – For a movie that throws one red herring after another at the audience, it's too easy to see the outcome of The Deadly Bees from a mile away. None of the many plot twists actually work. Only the incredibly dimwitted characters in the movie like Vicki Robbins would find the outcome mysterious in anyway.There are more. I haven't even mentioned the unforgivably large plot holes or the ridiculous lapses in logic. But regardless of The Deadly Bees myriad of problems, I can't bring myself to rate the movie any lower than 5/10. Why? Despite itself, The Deadly Bees never fails to provide me with some degree of entertainment. Otherwise, how can I explain why I've now seen the movie at least three times? And, as I've always said, entertainment is the most important thing when it comes to movies and the reason I watch them.

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!