Invaders from Mars (1953) – Review

What could be more terrifying to a child than the idea that your parents aren’t actually your parents? This element of pure horror is infused throughout William Cameron Menzies’s science fiction classic – enough to give any kid nightmares – and it was this aspect that makes this film so memorable.  And sure, it has creepy alien monsters and flying saucers but it’s the simple hook of “What do you if the people you trust the most can’t be trusted?” that elevates this film above its genre, so let us take a look back at Invaders from Mars.

Set in a small American town, Invaders from Mar revolves around young David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt), a boy who during a lightning storm witnesses a flying saucer landing in a sandpit near his house  and when he tells his father (Leif Erickson) what he’s seen, this remarkably understanding father, goes out to investigate – I’d like to point out that I certainly wouldn’t walk into the hills in the middle of the night wearing nothing but my pyjamas and a pair of bedroom slippers – but when he fails to return David’s fraught mother (Hillary Brooke) calls the police and when they go to investigate, without even a chance for a coffee break. Soon enough George comes back, only now he is behaving in a cold and hostile manner and David notices a weird little wound on his neck.

“Dad, have you become a Republican?”

Sadly, David’s father is not the only town resident to begin acting differently, or showing up with that same strange wound on their necks, and that burgeoning population of emotionally cold residents soon includes a little neighbour girl, who burns down her own home, and the police chief becomes unwitting pawn to this alien menace. What’s a little boy to do? Lucky for David, he finally finds a sympathetic ear in the form of the local doctor, Patricia Blake (Helena Carter), she takes him seriously enough to call up resident scientist Dr. Stuart Kelston (Arthur Franz) who is surprisingly receptive to the idea of alien invaders – the amount of ridiculous dialogue regarding infrared rays is quite amusing – and then this trio eventually gets the military involved and it becomes a race against time between the alien puppets attempts at sabotaging America’s atomic rocket base and our heroes uncovering and destroying their hidden spacecraft.

Safety Tip: Do not investigate local sandpits.

Stray Observations:

• The opening narration against a vast star field is very reminiscent of the opening to George Pal’s adaptation of War of the Worlds.
• David getting a brutal backhand from his alien mind-controlled father is one of the film’s more horrifying moments, that the mother lets this slide without comment is a creepy snapshot of family dynamics of the 1950s.
• I hope you like stock footage of tanks mobilizing because we sure do get a lot of it in this movie.
• The mind-controlled police chief and general are killed by the self-destructing mind-control device almost immediately after they were captured but when David’s parents are captured the aliens inexplicably fail to detonate the devices in their heads.
• The “It was all dream” trope stopped working for me after The Wizard of Oz but the fact that after waking up the kid witnesses the flying saucer landing “again” had me wondering if David is a psychic with prescient powers.
• The British release actually has a different ending with the “was-it-all-just-a-nightmare?” being replaced by a more straightforward ending with the flying saucer blowing up, and for me, that is the better ending.
• David has surprisingly effective knowledge as to how one operates and fires an alien heat ray. Did he learn this kind of thing from watching a Flash Gordon serial?

“Stand back, let the kid save the day!”

While Invaders from Mars looks like A Boy’s Adventure Story, albeit with a more nightmarish quality, this movie is infused with Cold War paranoia and the use of aliens hiding amongst us was a clear allegory of the Communist threat and even predates Jack Finney’s novel “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” in that arena, but it also has similar themes to what can be found in Robert Heinlein’s story “The Puppet Masters” that came out in 1951 so I wouldn’t be surprised if writers John Tucker Battle or Richard Blake had picked up a copy of the science fiction magazine that serialized Heinlein’s story. But Invaders from Mars also dealt with the threat of the atomic age and kicked off the whole idea of youngsters questioning authority and this convergence of themes makes for a rather interesting outing.

I wouldn’t trust a police station that modelled itself on German expressionism.

The film’s visual design and special effects are quite extraordinary, especially when you consider what a limited budget they were working with, and the imaginative set pieces and practical effects for the period is quite startling. Cinematographer John F. Seitz employed unique camera angles and innovative lighting techniques to create a sense of impending doom and claustrophobia, duly helped by those amazing sets designed by Menzies himself. The use of vivid colours, particularly the intense reds and blues, contributes to the otherworldly ambience, effectively enhancing the feeling of alien infiltration. The eerie interiors of the Martian spacecraft and the foreboding alien presence contribute to the film’s atmospheric and suspenseful nature. If Invaders from Mars is to have one failure it is the aliens themselves, while the creepy tentacled-headed Martian mastermind looked somewhat cool the slave race of synthetic mutants were decidedly less than impressive, looking like nothing more than guys wearing green velour jumpsuits while sporting masks with goofy bug eyes.

Not the most imposing alien menace.

Despite the limitations of creating an alien threat on such a low budget, the performances in Invaders from Mars more than make up for any lacking in that area and are quite solid, particularly young Jimmy Hunt as David our erstwhile hero. He carries the weight of the film on his shoulders, convincingly portraying a frightened yet resourceful young protagonist, made more special by that fact that he never becomes across as precocious or annoying and is a testament to this young actor’s skill and a decent script. Helena Carter as David’s new “mother figure” and Arthur Franz as the open-minded scientist, who quickly jumps on board the whole alien invasion thing rather quickly, also deliver commendable performances, adding depth to their respective characters.  And as goofy as the “science” in this film is, it never bores you and moves along at quite a good clip.

I also love this film’s idea of a science lab.

What truly sets Invaders from Mars apart from many of its brethren is its nostalgic charm and the film captures the essence of 1950s science fiction, with its Cold War paranoia, the fear of the unknown and the hope of humanity prevailing against alien forces. It serves as a time capsule that transports viewers back to an era when such tales of interplanetary encounters were both thrilling and thought-provoking. While this film may not possess the slickness and advanced technology of modern sci-fi films, it remains a must-watch for fans of classic science fiction. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to transport viewers to a bygone era and engage them with its imaginative storytelling and suspenseful atmosphere.

“Watch the skies, everywhere! Keep looking. Keep watching the skies.”

This unrepentant film endures as a testament to the creativity and innovation of 1950s science fiction cinema and showcases the power of storytelling, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue that has captivated audiences for decades. Whether you are a fan of classic sci-fi or simply enjoy a well-crafted thriller, Invaders from Mars is sure to entertain and transport you to a world where the fear of alien invasion was at its peak. Creatively shot, it’s not a surprise that this B-movie gem continues to entertain and captivate audiences with Its vintage charm, solid performances, and nostalgic storytelling, making it a delightful watch for both fans of the genre and those seeking a trip down memory lane. Step into the shoes of young David Maclean and brace yourself for an otherworldly adventure that has stood the test of time.