Main Cast: Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Jimmy Hunt, Leif Erickson, Hillary Brooke
Release Year: 1953
Country: US
Run Time: 78 minutes
Plot
Originating during the science-fiction/Red-Scare boom of the '50s, Invaders From Mars is an entertaining little picture that holds up reasonably well. David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt) is a 12-year-old astronomy buff who is stunned to see a flying saucer landing in the sand pit beyond his backyard. His father, George (Leif Erickson), ventures out to look the next morning and mysteriously disappears. David's mother, Mary (Hillary Brooke), worriedly calls police, but they are quickly swallowed up by the sand in the backyard. Later, George and the two cops return, but their personalities are markedly different having been taken over by the Martians. As David tries to find help, everyone around him comes under the frightening zombie-like spell. He finally encounters two believers in Dr. Blake (Helena Carter) and Dr. Kelston (Arthur Franz). Discovering David's shocking story to be true, the doctors call in the military setting up a confrontation that escalates when David and Dr. Blake are taken captive within the Martian craft. The soldiers race to save the pair from the green menace leading to an explosive finale that involves bullets, grenades, TNT, and a spectacular alien ray gun that can melt stone. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide
Review
Invaders From Mars is one of those films that many people fondly recall seeing as a child, but have to laugh at a bit when they see it as adults. But while the primitive effects, pajama-costumed Martians, and second-rate cast don't inspire the chills they did in 1953, they still make for an entertaining trip down memory lane, even if the film seems like a potential candidate for a Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment. Director William Cameron Menzies (who helmed the 1936 classic Things to Come) keeps things flowing and his art direction is quite good considering what must have been an extremely low budget. The picture opens strong as young Jimmy Hunt watches as a strange force takes control of everyone around him. Unfortunately, once the troops are deployed, very little of consequence happens until they finally break into the Martians' underground lair. The screenplay by Richard Blake must have run out of steam by this point as Menzies heavily pads the film's final reels with repetitive footage of running Martians, running soldiers, and the occasional explosion. A surprise ending is rather amusing, but takes away from the film's overall impact. The cast also reflects the low budget and their performances are routine, although Hillary Brooke as the boy's mother registers a classic '50s line when she says, "He's been reading those trashy science fiction magazines. He's completely out of control!" The special effects are simple, but effective with top honors going to a Martian ray gun that turns rock to molten liquid. The Martians themselves look like men wearing pajamas with the feet in them, and their leader is a head with tentacles who is mounted in a fishbowl. The film was remade in 1986 by director Tobe Hooper and featured Hunt as a police chief. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide
Boris Leven - Art Director, Norma - Costume Designer, William Cameron Menzies - Director, Arthur Roberts - Editor, Raoul Kraushaar - Composer (Music Score), Gene Hibbs - Makeup, Anatole Robbins - Makeup, William Cameron Menzies - Production Designer, John F. Seitz - Cinematographer, Edward L. Alperson, Jr. - Producer, Irving A. Block - Special Effects, Jack Cosgrove - Special Effects, Howard Lydecker - Special Effects, Jack R. Rabin - Special Effects, John Tucker Battle - Screenwriter, William Cameron Menzies - Screenwriter, Richard Blake - Screenwriter
It is notable for being told from the point of view of an older child in an adult's world in crisis, vivid color cinematography (color by Color Corporation of America), subtly surreal set designs and unique use of outre sound effects, including a choral background consisting of an ethereal, rhythmically wavering syllable sung in unison.
Although some sources state that the film was designed for the 3-D process (unlikely, since the project was in production before the breakthrough 3-D film, Bwana Devil, was released), it was neither filmed nor released in 3-D.
One night, a small boy, David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt), sees a flying saucer land near his home. His scientist father (Leif Erickson) goes to investigate. When he returns, there is an unusual mark on the back of his neck and he behaves in a different, cold and hostile manner. Gradually, David realizes that there is a conspiracy in which the people of the town are one by one becoming cold and inhuman.
With the help of a local astronomer Dr. Stuart Kelston (Arthur Franz) and health-department physician Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter), he learns that the flying saucer, that has buried itself in a sandpit just behind his home, is the vanguard of an invasion from Mars. The Army is contacted and convinced to investigate, leading to a military penetration of the underground hideout established by the Martians. The troops enter the saucer. Inside they find a Martian, mostly a large head with strange tentacles, encased in a glassy sphere. The Martian mastermind is served by tall, green, silent humanoid "mutants", who use cerebral implants to control the townsfolk in order to sabotage nuclear rocket experiments at a facility just outside of town.
In the film's climax, the Army, scientists, and David flee from the sandpit as explosives hidden aboard the flying saucer count down their last remaining seconds. After the explosion, the scene shifts and David is back in his bed, awakened by thunder. His parents reassure him by telling him the whole thing was just a nightmare and send him back to bed. As thunder awakens him again, he sees the same UFO slowly land at the sandpit near his house.
British release
An alternative ending was filmed for the British release of the film, eliminating the dream concept. David's parents seem to be replaced by the Lady In White and the kindly, wise astronomer. We also see the flying Saucer blowing up in the sky.
This release also included an extended sequence of the planetarium scene. The sequence was filmed a few months after the original release, and while the adult actors have not changed significantly, Jimmy Hunt has gained some height and weight. Hunt is also wearing a vest sweater during the newer scenes and discusses UFO incidents such as the Mantell UFO Incident with Kelston.
Critic Patrick Legare wrote of the film, "Originating during the science-fiction/Red-Scare boom of the '50s, Invaders From Mars is an entertaining little picture that holds up reasonably well."[2]
