Barbara Shelley, George Sanders, Laurence Naismith

Something is terribly wrong in the tiny village of Midwich. After an unseen force invades a quiet coastal town, ten women mysteriously find themselves pregnant. Local physician Dr. Alan Chaffee and go...( read more  read more... )vernment scientist Dr. Susan Verner join forces when the women simultaneously give birth... and the reign of horror begins. All born with platinum-white hair, fierce intellect and steely, cobalt eyes, the emotionless offspring display eerie psychic abilities and remarkable powers which they use with deadly consequences, unleashing a storm of terror.

Flixster Users

69% liked it

7,399 ratings

Critics

30% liked it

30 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Wolf Rilla

Release Date: January 1, 1960

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DVD Release Date: August 10, 2004

Stats: 293 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (293)


  • December 27, 2008
    British horrors used to be so great. Chilling, mysterious, original and unsurpassed by anything today. Village of the Damned is probably what Shayamalan wishes The Happening had been. The tension builds up slowly as more and more strange events mount up. It starts with a whole vi...( read more)llage falling unconcious at the same time. As more twists set in and answers become apparent it still feels grounded in reality. There are some B-Movie qualities to it that will put off some viewers, but this is an expertly crafted horror. The children are insanely creepy in the way they look, stare and speak. The human element of how to deal whith such a phenomena is also surprisingly well explored given the 1 hour and 17 minute running time. Up their with The Blob, Don't Look Now, The Wicker-Man, Blair Witch Project and Picnic at Hanging Rock as one ofmy favourite horror films.
  • February 28, 2008
    I still don't get how a simple bowl haircut on blond haired small children can end up being so creepy.
  • February 4, 2008
    `Village of the Damned' is loyally adapted from John Wyndham's novel `The Midwich Cuckoos'. Throughout the whole film, you don't get much explanation and, as a viewer, you're forced to guess at the mystery's origin. Although highly unlikely, the events in Midwich really are alarm...( read more)ing and make you feel uncomfortable. This effect is reached through solid tension and macabre atmosphere much more than through special effects. The eerily lit eyes of the ?children' are the only real effects. This is an absolute masterpiece of paranoia, sci-fi style. The acting is superb, especially by the late and under-appreciated George Sanders, whose compassion and intellect sets the tone for this quiet and somewhat sad little tale. Barbara Shelley as Sanders loving wife is sweet and totally believable. Indeed, the townsfolk are all very realistic and approachable, kind and simple folk who don't really deserve the wrath of the spooky children who have invaded their small town. Filmed in moody black and white, this movie creeps along with all the menacing stealth of a thick London pea souper. This is an intelligent horror film which deserves better attention.
  • December 17, 2007
    Sci-fi/horror classic that serves as an allegory for the seek of perfection (read nazism) and the consequences it brings. a lot of creepy moments and a very skillful montage in the final scenes.
  • August 16, 2007
    weird
  • November 23, 2009
    awesome evil child movie. martin stephens is an awesome actor
  • November 10, 2009
    This is my favorite evil child movie. Without splatter and without telling the viewer anything about where these "others" came from and even without spelling out the subtle intentions of this brood, this movie pulls the viewer inside of it, gets under the skin and stays there!
    ...( read more)
    PS: Watch "Children of the Damned" or John Carpenter's 1995 version ONLY to compare them with this Superior original.
  • October 24, 2009
    Love this film. So creepy and unsettling. Truly a classic! Avoid the shitty 1995 remake at all costs though!
  • September 27, 2009
    A true horror classic. So much better than anything Hitchcock could ever produce.
  • May 17, 2009
    Love the final scene where he's trying to think of anything but blowing up.

Comments


  • Minnie4eva
    January 6, 2007
    wow interesting
    i seen this movie and i like it
    and the funny thing is that i remembered it

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Village of the Damned Trivia


  • What is the name of the village in 1960s "Village of the Damned"?  Answer »
  • Which book is the movie "Village of the Damned" based upon?  Answer »
  • What colour is the children's hair in "Village of the Damned"?  Answer »
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