Invaders from Mars

Director - William Cameron Menzies (The Spider, The Narrow Margin)

Starring - Helena Carter (The Pathfinder, The Golden Hawk), Arthur Franz (Sisters of Death, The Six Million Dollar Man), and Jimmy Hunt (Invaders from Mars (86), Fireside Theatre)

Release Date - 1953

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "From out of space... came hordes of green monsters!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love modern technology and how society has advanced over the last few decades. I was born in the mid 80s and grew up through the 90s. Movie fans refer to this time as the video store age. Honestly, I enjoyed it and often reminisce about visiting my local ma and pop video store, Dewey’s Video, almost daily to rent some tapes and video games. It was a huge part of my childhood and many of my favorite memories were centered around this time in my life. However, if I could travel back in time I would skip that altogether and visit the drive-in era of movie history. I couldn’t imagine living during this time when movies were centered around space invaders, prehistoric beasts, and other atom age monsters. I love the sci-fi and horror films that was often paired together during this time and was made from the 50s to the mid-70s. I love the cheese and the campy feel of these films. Several weeks back I was sent the new UHD release of the classic sci-fi film Invaders from Mars. This is one of those films that I highly admire and respect. Not only is it a fantastic film as it is and a staple of the drive-in era but it also paved the way for one of my favorite films of all time which is Tobe Hooper’s Invaders from Mars. I was excited to say the least to review this classic in 4K. I want to thank Ignite Films for sending this one over! 

      The film follows a little boy who is very passionate about the stars and outer space when he spots something falling from the sky on a clear night. The lands in the sand dunes behind his home and he tells his father about it. His father goes to investigate and returns much later with a completely different personality. He’s verbally and physically abusive to his son and wife. Over time the boy realizes that his father is being controlled by something sinister from another world and before long other important figures from the community. When his mother becomes controlled he is forced turn to his friend who is a local astronomer and a doctor from the health department to warn the military of an alien invasion. 

      Invaders from Mars is a classic 1950s sci-fi and horror mashup that has been seen by generations. The Tobe Hooper remake may be one of my favorite films of all time but I have enough sense to know how important the original is. The original 1953 film is one I’ve seen several times but watching it in 4K is the best way to see it. My first viewing of the film was on cable several times and during my elementary school days before I snagged a cheap VHS copy from a yard sale. My previous viewings were always less than perfect releases of the film but watching it in 4K is like watching the film for the first time. The acting in this one is what you would expect from films of this time. When I talk about films from this time I often want to compare them to shows like The Andy Griffith Show and The Beverly Hillbillies. The cast hams it up during most of the scenes and you get the overdramatic gasps, group laughter when something silly is said, and the dramatic screams that have become a parody of the genre in recent decades. I really like the cast but the acting of the time is nothing like what you see in modern films. The story for this one is nothing we really haven’t seen before but it is a bit more detailed than other invasion films of the time. We have a boy who witnesses a ship crash to Earth and immediately started taking control of key political and military figures. This is a simple film but the detail they pumped into this simple story makes it work. Most characters have back stories that fit the plot, the locations in the film are important and once again fit the plot, and the film makes great use of it’s run time. Finally, the film has some classic camera tricks and practical effects of the time but this one doesn’t have any real iconic scenes aside from the invaders carrying the boy. They don’t look that impressive and is easily the worst part of the film in my opinion. Overall, Invaders from Mars is a must see for fans of classic sci-fi and horror films. It’s an iconic title that deserves everyone’s attention. The release from Ignite Films looks fantastic and is the recommended way to see the film especially if it’s your first time. Check it out