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, RoviReview
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, RoviCast
- Helena Carter - Dr. Patricia Blake
- Arthur Franz - Dr. Stuart Kelston
- Jimmy Hunt - David Maclean
- Leif Erickson - George MacLean
- Hillary Brooke - Mary MacLean
Credit
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| Invader ZIM: The Nightmare Begins, Part I/The Nightmare Begins, Part II (2001 Film), Invader ZIM: Bestest Friend/NanoZIM (2001 Film) | |
| Invaders From the Deep (1981 Film), Invaders from Mars (1986 Film) |
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