Invaders from Mars 53

 

 

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The early 50s were quite a time politically.The world was enveloped in a Cold War,many European countries were still recovering from the devastating effects of WWII and the Korean War was front page headlines.Also in the papers nudging out the top stories and making headlines of their own was a brand new phenomenon known as Flying Saucers.The term had been coined just six years prior and sightings of these objects had reached a crescendo around the time of the production of this movie.In fact in 1952 when production started there were several incidents of jets being dispatched over Washington,D.C. in a futile attempt to intercept formations of these "visitors".The population was quite cognisant of these things and since movies sometimes reflect the times we live in it just followed that Hollywood would wade in with their version of things.
The 50s became awash in alien invasion pictures,some good,some bad.One of the good ones was "Invasion From Mars".
With a low budget and sparse sets but ALOT of heart this picture hit the target many times over.It had a different approach to its subject matter in thought and execution than many films of its' day with many times the budget.
This is the film I first saw in the 50s and on TV(although depending on the station and its' quota of commercials its' length could become quite truncated!).
There are two version here,the British and American.And it's wonderful to have both on the same disc for comparison.
However I can only in good conscience give this a 3 1/2 star rating.The film in and of itself gets most of the marks.The film print used however is the problem here.
While the print is technically a clear one in so far as the background and actors are concerned,the surface scratches evident throughout,especially on the American version,really ruin ones' enjoyment while watching it.
For example in the first approximately nine minutes of the American version there is a terrible scratch that runs constantly down the middle of the frame and this is a bright and thick one.And this is frequently joined by others to its' sides.While it does diminish in time others' take its'place albeit of a lesser nature throughout the film,but it is all in all still very disconcerting.
There are also areas of noticeable colour fading and loss that I was surprised to see in both versions.
Considering the price that Image Entertainment commands for this disc and the technology available and in use that could easily wipe such incongruities off the final print,I find it unbelievable and unconscionable that they would dare release a good film like this with such obvious flaws.
This is a shame for this film deserves a little better than this and unfortunately the viewing public have been let down.
So Caveat Emptor to everyone thinking of purchasing this product.If you know the flaws and can "hack" them then you'll be fine,if not......stay away until the next time.

I think everyone interested in scifi films, especially films of the fifities, remembers this classic. I have a VHS version, but when the Fiftieth Anniversary DVD came out, I couldn't wait to get it. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!

The DVD is made from the original 35mm print, and I guess the historians did not want to tamper with it in any way, or didn't want to spend the money. What you get is a scratchy, jumpy film with more interference lines than you used to get on TV before cable. Stay away from this version. It usually costs more, and it's a waste of your money. The imperfections ruin the enjoyment of seeing one of the all-time classic scifi films. The British version included on the disk is of equal "quality". We would have been better served if they included a restored version with the original print.

THE classic sci-fi scary film of the 50s. Martians invading Earth and only a young boy knows the truth! The film has been compared to the scare of the Cold War, and the point of view is all from the eyes of young David (Jimmy Hunt). This newly released DVD has the best color reproduction of any version I've seen, and while there are numerous scratches on the print (a new print from the original negative would have been marvelous, the box lauds "new digital transfer," but of course it is...it's a newly transferred print from a bad copy), the inclusion of the UK version of the film, never seen in the US as far as I know, is worth the price right there! While my own first impression was this is a better version, I think the original U.S. version ultimately is more satisfying, although the UK's extended observatory sequence is most interesting (nevermind it's obviously a cut in, complete with Jimmy Hunt's haircut being different than the rest of the film!). Details in the accompanying booklet detail just who the "head in the globe" really was *:) And some of the production details and the bonus production stills make this an excellent buy for any fan of 50s sci-fi. I've watched it many times since purchasing, and feel there are some interesting "clues" that point to a dream all along (pay very close attention to clocks, especially at the bedroom scene with the parents in the US version - the clock is only seen for a moment, but the time it shows is....well, watch for yourself!).

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5.0 out of 5 stars "Inavders from Mars.......don't go up that path!!!!"
Well I finally got to see this fine film for the first time. Really enjoyed it alot. I don't get into all the political and social stuff that alot of others get into with these... Read more

Published on Sep 17 2008 by Paul Boudreau

3.0 out of 5 stars oh, come on!
This is one badly made, poorly directed, cheesy 1950's sci-fi movie. And I'm a collector of this stuff! Read more

Published on Jun 14 2004

2.0 out of 5 stars Form ruins substance
While the term "classic" is thoroughly overused to describe movies, "Invaders from Mars" is definitely a sci-fi classic in the truest sense. Read more

Published on Mar 29 2004 by R. P. Firriolo

4.0 out of 5 stars No communists just aliens
Yes, this has been one of my all time favs, it scared the bedoobies out of me as a kid, along with The Preying Mantis, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Fly. Read more

Published on Feb 7 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Great old sci-fi flick...but is this the best transfer?
I was very excited when this DVD came out, having some time ago purchase a cheap copy from one of those bargain-DVD companies. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2003 by A. Gammill

1.0 out of 5 stars Mislabeled and Misleading
On late night black and white tv, this movie scared me to blackout my bedroom windows (which didn't please my parents). William Cameron Menzies was a visionary. Read more

Published on Aug 5 2003 by SaraAutumn

4.0 out of 5 stars I Remember When!
I Think I was five years old when this came out. When I saw it , it scared me to death. I'am really glad to have this is my collection. Read more

Published on Jun 30 2003 by Terry Covington

5.0 out of 5 stars 50's Sci Fi at it's Best!
This is a classic 1950's film. A spaceship lands at night and only a young boy knows what is really going on. Read more

Published on Jun 19 2003 by Matthew T. Szramoski

2.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, poor DVD
This is one of those classic SciFi movies that scared the 'bgeezus out of every kid who saw it in the 50's/60's. Read more

Published on Jun 8 2003 by Foramdude

3.0 out of 5 stars B-movie
Invaders from mars has one great feature: it's spooky. From the minute you see X shaped scars on the backs of peole's necks, you're hooked. Read more

Published on May 14 2003 by Anarchflurry

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