Invaders from Mars

Sci-fi classic. A young boy’s excitement at seeing a spaceship land outside his house quickly turns to fear when everyone who visits the site returns in a zombie-like state, apparently under the control of the alien life forms within the vessel. Dir: William Cameron Menzies., Jimmy Hunt plays the young boy who’s the only one in town who sees the invaders land and start to take over the locals as a prelude to full-scale invasion. William Cameron Menzies’ Cold War-influenced quickie has, given the budget, some reasonably chilling effects and solid performances. With Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Leif Erickson. The film was re-made in 1986 by Tobe Hooper., Martians menace a California community. Arthur Franz. Pat: Helena Carter. MacLean: Leif Erickson. David: Jimmy Hunt. Directed by William Cameron Menzies., Martians menace a California community., A young boy’s excitement at seeing a spaceship land outside his house quickly turns to fear when everyone who visits the site returns in a zombie-like state, apparently under the control of the alien life forms within the vessel., 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.