Invaders from Mars (1953)
Directed by William Cameron Menzies

Film Review

The archetypal bad sci-fi B-movie, Invaders from Mars is low on genuine thrills, even lower on credibility, but offers plenty of cheap laughs on account of its risible production standards, pedestrian plot and absolutely abysmal acting,  It is hard to believe it was directed by the great William Cameron Menzies, who brought us the inspired H.G. Wells adaptation Things to Come (1936).  Sporting what could well be cinema's worst attempt at an alien life form (mummies spray-painted green and imaginatively christened 'mew-tants') and special effects that were pretty dismal even for the time in which it was made, this is sci-fi schlock at its worst.  If you have the stamina to sit through seventy-five minutes of homespun ineptitude, the ending (let's just blow 'em up) will surely drive you to despair.  The Cold War allusions are too obvious to be dwelt on - presumably if the alien invaders hadn't come from the Red planet they might have received a friendlier reception.

Film Synopsis

In the early hours, ten-year-old David MacLean sees a huge flying saucer coming into land in the sandpit behind his house.  Later that morning, his father, a scientist, goes to investigate, but when he returns David notices a red mark on the back of his neck and a marked change in his behaviour.  He convinces a physician, Dr Blake, that his father has been taken over by aliens and with the help of astronomer Dr Kelston they persuade the military to investigate...