Flying saucers attack

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Movie
German title Flying saucers attack
Original title Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1956
length 83 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Fred F. Sears
script Bernard Gordon ,
George Worthing Yates
production Sam Katzman ,
Charles H. Schneer ,
Columbia Pictures
music Mischa Bakaleinikoff
camera Fred jackman jr
cut Danny D. Landres
occupation

Flying Saucers Attack is a 1956 American science fiction film directed by Fred F. Sears .

action

The rocket researcher Dr. Marvin and his wife Carol are working on Skyhook, a space exploration program. The project is in a phase in which test flights with unmanned missiles are being made. These tests are not very successful as all missiles suddenly disappear when they reach a certain distance from Earth. No explanation can be found yet, Dr. Marvin and his wife followed by a flying saucer during a car ride . The spacecraft emits a strange sound that the Marvins record on a portable tape recorder. Flying saucers are being spotted more and more frequently around the world, until one finally lands. The military tries to shoot down the saucer, but fails because of the protective shield that surrounds the UFO.

Eventually one of the aliens is killed while it is outside the magnetic field. When the other aliens discover the loss, they in turn open fire on the soldiers. All of the staff, with the exception of Dr. Marvin, his wife and the general in command, is killed. The general is abducted and examined by the aliens, while Dr. Marvin and his wife Carol can hide in a laboratory. Dr. Meanwhile, Marvin keeps listening to the tape, but cannot make sense of the recorded noises. Only when the batteries of the tape are very weak and the tape is running very slowly can the noises be understood. There is a message on the tape from the aliens who actually came in peace. However, after one of the strangers is killed, the aliens give humanity an ultimatum. The only choice left for people is between submission or annihilation.

To set an example, the aliens destroy a destroyer of the American fleet, killing hundreds of people. The scientists are now working feverishly on an effective weapon against the saucers. In doing so, they develop an ultrasonic weapon that disrupts the magnetic field of the alien spaceships, losing propulsion and protective shields. All countries in the world are now supporting this project. When the weapon is functional, an alien drone appears and infiltrates the laboratory. The military quickly destroyed the drone, and Dr. Marvin has the gun moved to another location. However, when a flying saucer lands in front of the laboratory and the aliens set off in search of Dr. Make Marvin, this takes the flying saucer to the target. The spaceship wobbles, but shortly afterwards it opens fire on the sonic weapon, which then explodes. An alien is now trying to find Dr. Killing Marvin, which a soldier prevents by shooting the alien. Dr. Marvin examines the alien, removing his helmet. He is fascinated by the fact that the alien looks very much like a human. In the end, a destructive war for the good of the earth begins, with countless people dying. The Washington Monument is destroyed by a crashing spaceship, as is the train station and most of the city. The aliens open fire on the army until their last breath. However, people win and celebrate their victory at the end of the film.

Reviews

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German translation of English language reviews.
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  • “The film is not exactly a masterpiece; the actors try hard, but cannot give the plot the right momentum; a lot seems artificial; the story is poor; it only serves as a showcase for the special effects. And they really have it all [...] The saucers, the creepy aliens with their radiation weapons and, finally, the exciting battle over Washington, give the film some worth seeing elements even by today's standards. "

Hahn / Jansen, p. 160.

  • "However, Ray Harryhausen's flying saucers are among the best until the 1980s, even edging out Klaatu's ship from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. Harryhausen's saucers are spookily alive, moving gracefully and swiftly; they're highly maneuverable, convincingly fast and deadly. They almost seem alive rather than mere machines; it's not so much they're demonstrating personalities as that they are simply so convincing and have such a wide repertoire of motions. "

Warren, p. 242.

“Lurid, simple-minded science fiction film with a few effective technical tricks. A product of the UFO hysteria that broke out in America in the 1950s. "

- Flying saucers attack in the lexicon of international filmsTemplate: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used

background

  • The special effects came from Ray Harryhausen , who first worked for a science fiction film . In contrast to his earlier work, he only performed the stop-motion effects on buildings and flying saucers. For cost reasons, the aliens were played by actors in rubber suits.
  • The film is based on the 1953 book Flying Saucers from Outer Space by the US UFO researcher Donald E. Keyhoe . Science fiction writer Curt Siodmak rewrote the story for the film story. The models were The Day on which the Earth stood still and War of the Worlds , which Harryhausen had tried in vain to film.
  • The film was a model for other film adaptations. The destruction of the Capitol was picked up again in Independence Day . In the parody Mars Attacks! the flying saucers have the same appearance. The strip, originally turned in black and white, was colored with the most modern means in 2006 for a British DVD release (which contains the German cinema dubbing).
  • World premieres
  • USA: July 1956
  • Germany: May 14, 1957

Awards

  • 1957: Golden Reel Award from Motion Picture Sound Editors, Best Sound Editing - Feature Film

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ World premieres according to IMDb