Main Cast: Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, Julie Warner, Keith David, Will Patton
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 96 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Robert A. Heinlein's 1951 novel The Puppet Masters comes to the screen 43 years later. Sharp-eyed viewers will recognize similarities to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but Heinlein's book came first. Parasitic space aliens invade the Midwest, taking over the bodies of humans and manipulating these unfortunates to do their bidding. US security agent Donald Sutherland and his team of troubleshooters attempt to squash the extraterrestrial scheme before everyone in the world is turned into Howdy Doody. Adding an extra layer to this familiar scenario is the fact that Sutherland doesn't get along with everyone on his side-in particular, he has a lot of trouble relating with his son Eric Thal. Stuart Ormes' perfunctory direction is not up to the standard set by the actors and special effects. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Richard Belzer - Jarvis; Yaphet Kotto - Ressler; Sam Anderson - Culbertson; Gerry Bamman - Viscott; Marshall Bell - General Morgan; Todd Bryant - Soldier; J.Marvin Campbell - Soldier; Nicholas Cascone - Greenberg; Donna Garrett - Miss Haines; Dale Harimoto - Anchorwoman; Don James - Soldier; Bruce Jarchow - Barnes; Tom Mason - President Douglas; Benjamin Mouton - Higgins; David Pasquesi - Vargas; Andrew Robinson - Hawthorne; K.T. Vogt - Slugged Woman; William Wellman, Jr. - Doctor; Eric Briant Wells - Vince Hayward; Michael Shamus Wiles - Captain Earley; Dale Dye - Brande; Fabio Urena - Infantryman; Tom Dugan - Operator #1; John C. Cooke - Lt. Abbey; Elizabeth Sung - Technician #1; Benji Thall - Jeff; Dinah Lenney - Technician #2
Credit
Tom Bronson - Costume Designer, Stuart Orme - Director, William C. Goldenberg - Editor, Colin Towns - Composer (Music Score), Daniel Lomino - Production Designer, Clive Tickner - Cinematographer, David S. Goyer - Screenwriter, Terry Rossio - Screenwriter, Ted Elliott - Screenwriter, Robert A. Heinlein - Book Author, Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc - Pilot
