Invaders from Mars (1953)
Directed by William Cameron Menzies
Genres - Horror, Science Fiction |
Sub-Genres - Alien Film, Sci-Fi Action |
Release Date - Apr 22, 1953 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 73 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
Share on
Synopsis by Patrick Legare
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.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
alien [not human], childhood-adventures, home-alone, invasion, possession, rescue, survivor, UFO (Unidentified Flying Object)
Attributes
High Artistic Quality