This nicely creepy and enjoyable 70's made-for-TV killer animal horror item centers on a nest of lethal and poisonous ants which are unearthed by a construction crew working on a posh lakeside resort. The ants proceed to attack a few folks and trap a handful of others inside. Among those trapped in the resort are feisty elderly owner Myrna Loy, her comely daughter Lynda Day George (who also dealt with a larger array of deadly critters in "Day of the Animals"),rugged construction foreman Robert Foxworth (who later faced off with a murderous misshapen mutant bear in "Prophecy"),jerky sleazeball businessman Gerald Gordon and his lovely partner Suzanne Sommers of "Three's Company" sitcom fame, health inspector Steve Franken, and sexy drifter Karen Lamm. Trying to rescue the people trapped inside are construction worker Bernie Casey and fire chief Brian Dennehy. Capably directed by Robert Scheerer, with a tight script by Guerdon Trueblood (who wrote "Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo" the same year),several truly skin-crawling ant attack scenes (the sequence where Sommers gets munched is a definite highlight, plus a little boy has a close call with the ants as well),a nice snappy pace, and uniformly sound acting from a fine cast, this baby makes for a most satisfying and occasionally harrowing little scarefest.

you know,i didn't think this was all that bad,for this type of movie,(man vs insect,nature,etc)that is.i actually thought there were a few suspenseful moments.the acting wasn't horrible or anything.there are a lot of plot holes for sure,and as per usual in this type of movie,most of the characters are either stupid or do stupid things.the one thing i did like about this movie,compared to others of this genre,is that at least there was a character who was reprehensible and you could really hate.and you get the pleasure of seeing him eventually meet his much deserved end.i also thin the the reason for the ants killing people could be possible.it's at least in the realm of possibility.it's not very likely but you never know.i haven't seen all of the movies in this genre.but it's probably safe to say that none of them will be stellar in terms of quality and logic.still,i enjoyed this one for what it is,a mildly entertaining way to pass 90 minutes or so.i give "it Happened at Lakewood Manor" AKA "Ants" 6/10

Ants otherwise known as It Happened at Lakewood manor tells the story of building work beside a large regal hotel that stirs up an army of killer ants.

Starring Dicks Van Dykes son Barry and to a lesser extent film legend Brian Dennehy this late 70's effort isn't actually that bad considering what it is.

The trouble with movies of this ilk is the lack of threat, once you're aware of the ants in question then why are they still such a concern? They're freakin ants!

The pace is competent and it looks a lot better than you'd imagine but the pointless side plots and overly inflated threat do damage it's credibility somewhat.

All building up to a really rather unintentionally hilarious finale this is daft but not entirely without merit.

The Good:

Looks better than you'd imagine

The Bad:

Could have been constructed better

Irritating score

Hilariously bad finale

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Ants even when swarming are invisible and incorporeal until they start biting you

After committing a crime ants are known for fleeing the scene

If the area is being swarmed with killer antsit's best to leave your windows open