They Came from Beyond Space
| They Came from Beyond Space | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Freddie Francis |
| Produced by |
Max Rosenberg (producer) Milton Subotsky (producer) |
| Written by | Milton Subotsky |
| Based on |
The Gods Hate Kansas 1941 novel by Joseph Millard |
| Starring |
Robert Hutton Jennifer Jayne Zia Mohyeddin |
| Music by | James Stevens |
| Cinematography | Norman Warwick |
| Edited by | Peter Musgrave |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Embassy Pictures Corporation |
Release dates | May 1, 1967 |
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
They Came from Beyond Space is a 1967 British Eastman Color science fiction film directed by Freddie Francis, written by Milton Subotsky and based on the book The Gods Hate Kansas by Joseph Millard. It was produced by Amicus Productions. The production came after Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. (1966) and used many of the sets and props from the former film as a cost-cutting measure.
Plot summary
Several meteors fall in a field in England. Those who approach them are seemingly taken over, and barricade the area from intruders. A scientist is immune to the takeover due to a metal plate in his head. He enlists the assistance of a friend, who must melt down his silver cricket trophies to make a helmet to protect him. Although initially claiming that the takeover is benign, the aliens attempt to remove the metal plate from the scientist but are thwarted and learn the human value of courtesy.
Cast
- Robert Hutton as Dr. Curtis Temple
- Jennifer Jayne as Lee Mason
- Zia Mohyeddin as Farge
- Bernard Kay as Richard Arden
- Michael Gough as Master of the Moon
- Geoffrey Wallace as Alan Mullane
- Maurice Good as Agent Stillwell
- Luanshya Greer as Female Gas Station Attendant
- John Harvey as Bill Trethowan
- Diana King as Mrs. Trethowan
- Paul Bacon as Dr. Rogers
- Christopher Banks as Doctor on Street
- Dermot Cathie as Peterson
- Norman Claridge as Dr. Frederick Andrews
- James Donnelly as Farm Gate Guard
- Frank Forsyth as Mr. Blake
- Leonard Grahame as McCabe
- Michael Hawkins as Williams
- Jack Lambert as Doctor in Office
- Robin Parkinson as Dr. Maitland
- Edward Rees as Bank Manager
- Katy Wild as Girl in Street
- Kenneth Kendall as TV Commentator
Reception
The film was released on a double bill with The Terrornauts. Director Freddie Francis says that the producers had spent all their budget on The Terrornauts so there was no money left over for They Came from Beyond Space. The double bill failed at the box office and has been described as "the two worst films the company ever produced".[1]
References
- ↑ Ed. Allan Bryce, Amicus: The Studio That Dripped Blood, Stray Cat Publishing, 2000 p 47
External links
- They Came from Beyond Space at the Internet Movie Database
- They Came from Beyond Space at AllMovie
- They Came from Beyond Space at the TCM Movie Database
- They Came from Beyond Space at the American Film Institute Catalog
- They Came from Beyond Space is available for free download at the Internet Archive
- Curiosities - The Gods Hate Kansas by Bud Webster at F&SF
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