They Came from Beyond Space
| They Came from Beyond Space | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Freddie Francis |
| Written by | Milton Subotsky |
| Produced by | Max Rosenberg (producer) Milton Subotsky (producer) |
| Starring | Robert Hutton Jennifer Jayne Zia Mohyeddin |
| Cinematography | Norman Warwick |
| Edited by | Peter Musgrave |
| Music by | James Stevens |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Embassy Pictures Corporation |
Release date | 1 May 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
Differences from novel
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In the book, Doctor Temple is captured and the alien leader successfully removes his protective metal plate. The ensuing struggle between the two resembles something more like the Star Trek TOS episode "The Lights of Zetar" or The Exorcist than the kung fu commando battle in the movie. The book also gives us a look at the aliens as they might have been had their ancestors made different choices in the development of their culture. The contrast of the two alternative types of alien is similar to the contrast of the "invading women" daymare with the actual riim creatures of A. E. van Vogt's Voyage of the Space Beagle.
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 IMDb
- 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
- Curiosities - The Gods Hate Kansas by Bud Webster at F&SF
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