Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Tim S

  
  I've been taking these films in in waves. I don't think that I could watch all of them in a row. As I stated in previous reviews, the most memorable thing about films with Ray Harryhausen special effects are Ray Harryhausen specal effects. Unfortunately, Earth VS. the Flying… More
  I've been taking these films in in waves. I don't think that I could watch all of them in a row. As I stated in previous reviews, the most memorable thing about films with Ray Harryhausen special effects are Ray Harryhausen specal effects. Unfortunately, Earth VS. the Flying Suacers doesn't fall into that category. It's not a good film either. To me it's just another echo of the incredibly well-made The Day the Earth Stood Still, as well as being just another 50's flying saucers B movie. Other than that, it doesn't really have that much going for it. I find Joan Taylor ridiculously annoying and Hugh Marlowe just boring. The special effects don't really stand out to me. They might have for their time, but they're just the standard fair for the era and not much else. To say the least, this is just a boring film in all respects.

• AJ V

  
  Although it follows the formulaic fifties plot for a sci-fi movie, this movie is pretty spectacular when it comes to its special effects. Overall, pretty good, but it could be better.

• Cindy I

  
  A cheesy dish topped with a dash of brillance, compliments of Ray Harryhausen. Harryhausen's flying saucer effects -- especially those destroying monuments in DC -- are alone worth the price of admission. They make plot holes, stiff performances, weird script inconsistencies and… More
  A cheesy dish topped with a dash of brillance, compliments of Ray Harryhausen. Harryhausen's flying saucer effects -- especially those destroying monuments in DC -- are alone worth the price of admission. They make plot holes, stiff performances, weird script inconsistencies and an ending that just kind of falls off the table a little easier to take. But then who watches movies like this for depth of meaning? The Day the Earth Stood Still this ain't. This film reminded me a great deal of Independence Day, in general story line, as well as some specific plot points. It would be interesting to watch them on a double bill to see how much has changed (and how much HASN'T) in 40+ years.

• Stella D

  
  cool effects and alot of fun, especially the attack on washington!

• Anthony L

  
  50's B-Movie classic. I had the great honour of meeting Ray Harryhausen a couple of years ago. I wish I'd seen this film beforehand though as there are a lot of things I'd like to ask him. I wish I'd bought some money with me to so I could have bought a signed copy… More
  50's B-Movie classic. I had the great honour of meeting Ray Harryhausen a couple of years ago. I wish I'd seen this film beforehand though as there are a lot of things I'd like to ask him. I wish I'd bought some money with me to so I could have bought a signed copy of his autobiography too but you live and learn, learn and live. Anyway, great film, so go and watch it now. Ok? Good!

• Henrik S

  
  Earth vs. Flying Saucers is Harryhausen's least favourite films as as SFX supervisor and it is not hard to see why. No mighty dinosaurs, titans or skeletons but revolving saucers and aliens and goofy costumes. The movie is a poignant and stale as you could expect from the name,… More
  Earth vs. Flying Saucers is Harryhausen's least favourite films as as SFX supervisor and it is not hard to see why. No mighty dinosaurs, titans or skeletons but revolving saucers and aliens and goofy costumes. The movie is a poignant and stale as you could expect from the name, flying saucers attack the earth, earth fights back. The personal stories are lackluster and stale, so is the cast. No mad scientists, vigilante soldiers or bombshells in sight. Here and there, a few glimpses of delightful insanity arise (the brainscanning of the aliens, the alien voices etc.) but it is not enough to make this ride enjoyable. HX

• alan j

  
  Definitive B-grade 50's sci-fi with a hokey plot and mediocre acting. What distinguishes this movie is the excellent groundbreaking special effects employed throughout...providing some realistic action battles... enjoyable for that reason alone.

• Anthony V

  
  Harryhausen rocks!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings