One of the best of the 50's B-movies this bodysnatchers-alike has just enough of a tight plot, hammy but not terrible acting, and a unique perspective to give it an edge over the millions of horrible sci-fi movies released during that terrible time. The unique perspective is that of a childs, the feeling of helplessness and unbelievability that goes with the territory, and the desperation that can drive you to do everything you can to survive.
American youngster David MacLean (all 'gee whizzes' and 'aw goshes') stays up late one night to watch a spectacular astral event. While attempting to get back to sleep he witnesses a strange light and from his bedroom window a large, glowing flying saucer. Unsurprisingly his parents don't believe him but after much pestering his father, a scientist who may or may not be involved in top-secret testing, goes out to investigate. He disappears only to reappear the next morning changed. He becomes moody and violent but only David notices anything odd. As he begins to investigate what might have happened other members of the town begin acting oddly until eventually only he has the knowledge and power to stop them.
Naturally in a movie of this sort the acting and dialogue can be rather lame and this one delivers but the story was interesting and well-thought out and the take-over not completely town-wide. As it moves along at a fair pace (it's only 75 minutes long) reasons for the aliens appearance are revealed and the military becomes involved. This is basically just an excuse to roll out stock footage of Pershing and Sherman tanks and artillery pieces moving about and blowing things up. However, nothing is implausible and it all happens the way one would expect it too.
So what if you can see the zips in the alien suits, if dummies and midgets are clearly used to simulate size differentials, if it's all just one big excuse to show off American military power and the threat of rampant reds-under-the-beds anti-communist rhetoric. It's still a lot of fun and hasn't aged quite as badly as most of it's kin. The only other films I'd put in the same catagory are War of the Worlds and Them!, both great films in their own right. |
