Invaders from Mars (1953 film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Invaders From Mars | |
---|---|
Directed by | William Cameron Menzies |
Produced by | Edward L. Alperson |
Written by | John Tucker Battle (story) Richard Blake |
Starring | Helena Carter Arthur Franz Jimmy Hunt Leif Erickson Hillary Brooke |
Music by | Raoul Kraushaar |
Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
Editing by | Arthur Roberts |
Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date(s) | April 22, 1953 (US) |
Running time | 78 min. |
Country | USA |
Language | English |
IMDb profile |
Invaders from Mars is a 1953 science fiction motion picture. It was directed by William Cameron Menzies and stars Leif Erickson. It is notable for its child's point of view as well as for its vivid color cinematography (color by Color Corporation of America). It's also notable for its general creepiness with surreal set designs and unique use of bizarre sound effects.
Sound effects include using multiple voices "singing" to indicate the ground opening up for the Martians to abduct someone. These elements put this film a notch above most other low budget sci-fi films of the era and has since become a cult classic.
It is also notable as one of the first conspiracy thrillers to touch on two of the worlds most popular notions in relation to conspiracy theories, the idea that The Queen whose coronation was the same year is a space alien and Mind Control associated with a mark at the back of the head.
[edit] Plot synopsis
One night, a small boy, David MacLean, sees a meteorite land near his home. His scientist father goes to investigate; when he returns there is an unusual mark on the back of his neck and he behaves in a sinister manner. Gradually, David realizes that there is a conspiracy in which the people of the town are one by one becoming cold and inhumane.
With the help of local astronomers he traces the evil to the meteorite which turns out to be a Martian flying saucer that has buried itself in a sand pit just outside the town. Inside are the "queen" and her "consul" who want him to be implanted with an electronic device.