"Craptastic". That's an excellent way to summarize this film, that's for sure! This is one of the worst sci-fi movies of the 1950s. About the only worse pictures I can think of right now are the films of Ed Wood (particularly PLAN 9 and BRIDE OF THE MONSTER) and ROBOT MONSTER--and these "classic" films are only marginally worse than KILLERS FROM SPACE.
The film begins with gobs of clips from newsreels and stock footage (much like the start of PLAN 9). Then, after this long and tedious beginning, we find Peter Graves and a "red shirt" (a disposable person) in a jet. A blinding flash occurs and the plane (which can apparently make nearly 90 degree turns) crashes. The pilot is killed but Graves' body is gone! Later, he appears from no where and can't recall where he's been. He seems okay except for a large scar from heart surgery that he did NOT have before the flight. Interestingly enough, this very big and noticeable scar actually appears and disappears throughout the movie due to lousy continuity and direction! However, despite this huge scar, the government people don't think too much about it even when Graves' wife confirms he hadn't had the scar before! A bit later, the scientist (Graves) begins acting irrationally and the G-Men learn that he is under control of evil aliens. However, despite hearing Graves confess about a confusing plot by evil aliens to kill off the human race, they really don't take the whole thing seriously. So, it's up to Graves to come up with a confusing and half-backed plan to wipe out the aliens himself (which is very odd considering he's been hypnotized by them all along). And, in the end, the world is saved--huzzah! Now, as to why the movie was so bad. It really wasn't the general plot--as the idea of evil aliens wanting to wipe out the Earth in order to colonize is a pretty decent idea. No,...it was more the rotten acting, total lack of production values and dopey writing that were serious, serious problems.
First, the acting. Peter Graves was very early in his career and it was obvious he knew little about acting. The rest of the cast were all unknowns and I can really see why they remained that way. Most gave their lines like they were reading them for the first time--and I assume they were.
Second, the production values. The aliens were guys in spandex-style jumpsuits using ping-pong balls for eyes! Really. And again and again, you knew that Graves was under their control because you saw their ping-pongy eyes and weird music to remind you!
Third, the writing. Logic just didn't apply to the movie. Not at all. It seemed like a lot of disparate ideas were just tossed in and never really thought through for a second. Dangling plot elements, magical solutions that come out of no where and dead spaces in the plot abound.
I strongly recommend you don't watch this movie. However, as a party film for you and your friends to laugh at, it is first-rate!
A final word about the print. I saw it on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment. It was an atrocious quality print--with lots of bits and pieces missing from various scenes due to the DVD being made from a severely degraded print that had never in any way been restored. However, considering how bad this film is, I guess I can understand why they didn't spend a few bucks to improve the DVD.
The film begins with gobs of clips from newsreels and stock footage (much like the start of PLAN 9). Then, after this long and tedious beginning, we find Peter Graves and a "red shirt" (a disposable person) in a jet. A blinding flash occurs and the plane (which can apparently make nearly 90 degree turns) crashes. The pilot is killed but Graves' body is gone! Later, he appears from no where and can't recall where he's been. He seems okay except for a large scar from heart surgery that he did NOT have before the flight. Interestingly enough, this very big and noticeable scar actually appears and disappears throughout the movie due to lousy continuity and direction! However, despite this huge scar, the government people don't think too much about it even when Graves' wife confirms he hadn't had the scar before! A bit later, the scientist (Graves) begins acting irrationally and the G-Men learn that he is under control of evil aliens. However, despite hearing Graves confess about a confusing plot by evil aliens to kill off the human race, they really don't take the whole thing seriously. So, it's up to Graves to come up with a confusing and half-backed plan to wipe out the aliens himself (which is very odd considering he's been hypnotized by them all along). And, in the end, the world is saved--huzzah! Now, as to why the movie was so bad. It really wasn't the general plot--as the idea of evil aliens wanting to wipe out the Earth in order to colonize is a pretty decent idea. No,...it was more the rotten acting, total lack of production values and dopey writing that were serious, serious problems.
First, the acting. Peter Graves was very early in his career and it was obvious he knew little about acting. The rest of the cast were all unknowns and I can really see why they remained that way. Most gave their lines like they were reading them for the first time--and I assume they were.
Second, the production values. The aliens were guys in spandex-style jumpsuits using ping-pong balls for eyes! Really. And again and again, you knew that Graves was under their control because you saw their ping-pongy eyes and weird music to remind you!
Third, the writing. Logic just didn't apply to the movie. Not at all. It seemed like a lot of disparate ideas were just tossed in and never really thought through for a second. Dangling plot elements, magical solutions that come out of no where and dead spaces in the plot abound.
I strongly recommend you don't watch this movie. However, as a party film for you and your friends to laugh at, it is first-rate!
A final word about the print. I saw it on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment. It was an atrocious quality print--with lots of bits and pieces missing from various scenes due to the DVD being made from a severely degraded print that had never in any way been restored. However, considering how bad this film is, I guess I can understand why they didn't spend a few bucks to improve the DVD.