For the era this film was made, it wasn't bad. I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like 90% of actors from the 50s act very identical. Besides that, it wasn't as exciting as the cool title leads you to believe it is. However, I found the idea to keep the "fiends" invisible for 99% of the film genius! Think how much that saved on budget! lol.
This movie had an effect that still worked, for some reason, it was pretty creepy as I watched it, the director is a known cinematographer and his shots were well placed and done to create this mood of despair and destruction inherent in the plot of this film, where the atomic age is shown in its grisly experience and its expectations as a way for humans to live in the future.
This is actually a fairly slow-paced thriller, which manages some nice spooky moments before finally cutting loose in one of the most intense and surreal finales ever. Patience pays off.
I grew up on this stuff. I loved having the wits scared out of me by films like this. For years I couldn't remember its name, but it was when BBC2 was doing a season of old horror films that I rediscovered it. Great stuff.
Why in the world is this part of the Criterion Collection? I am all for old sci-fi / horror / B-movies / etc., but this was not worth the time. I even listened to the commentary thinking I was missing something, hoping to gain some insight. It's just a low-budget sci-fi movie that seemed generic to me. I guess my expectations were high. Ever since I saw this, I don't know what to think about Criterion DVDs when I see them. I have to think and rethink my renting decision... Maybe my criteria are different...? Think MST3K.
MCT:July 30, 2008
MCT:January 31, 2008
MCT:December 9, 2007
MCT:October 27, 2007
MCT:July 2, 2007
MCT:March 8, 2007
MCT:March 7, 2007
MCT:February 27, 2007
