"Children of the Damned" is a reasonably entertaining follow-up, rather than sequel, to the 1960 classic "Village of the Damned". It explains its core idea, of a collective of aloof, powerful children, as being something *other* than the product of alien insemination. These kids - six in all - are born to mothers around the globe, without the need for conventional procreation. Officials such as Dr. Tom Llewellyn (Ian Hendry) and Dr. David Neville (Alan Badel) bring the children together for study, only for the kids to break free and hole up inside an abandoned building. They bring along a concerned adult (Barbara Ferris), and are able to build something quite remarkable. Soon, it is determined that these children may pose a serious threat to mankind, due to their superior intellect.
Knowing some of the back story, and how this was intended to be a more ambitious examination of mankind and its relationship to its saviours, does give it some substance. Originally, there was a speech by the principal child, Paul (Clive Powell), whereupon he realizes what purpose he and his peers are here to fulfill. With it removed from the picture, the finale just doesn't carry the same weight, although we are still filled with a deep sense of regret. The screenplay by John Briley does a devastating job at showing how differences in thinking and methodology can lessen the chances for education and enlightenment.
Once you get over the fact that this is a different variety of sci-fi, with less accent on horror elements, from "Village of the Damned", this does start to look better. If you compare them too much, this is naturally going to come as a letdown to some folk. It's still somewhat sad and scary, just in a different sort of way.
The acting is solid from the adults - also including Alfred Burke, Sheila Allen, Patrick Wymark, Harold Goldblatt, and Bessie Love - and just right by the blank-faced children. Powell and the others do a capable job of barely showing any emotion, right up until the end.
It's slowly paced, and low key, but it does have its rewards for patient viewers.
Seven out of 10.
Knowing some of the back story, and how this was intended to be a more ambitious examination of mankind and its relationship to its saviours, does give it some substance. Originally, there was a speech by the principal child, Paul (Clive Powell), whereupon he realizes what purpose he and his peers are here to fulfill. With it removed from the picture, the finale just doesn't carry the same weight, although we are still filled with a deep sense of regret. The screenplay by John Briley does a devastating job at showing how differences in thinking and methodology can lessen the chances for education and enlightenment.
Once you get over the fact that this is a different variety of sci-fi, with less accent on horror elements, from "Village of the Damned", this does start to look better. If you compare them too much, this is naturally going to come as a letdown to some folk. It's still somewhat sad and scary, just in a different sort of way.
The acting is solid from the adults - also including Alfred Burke, Sheila Allen, Patrick Wymark, Harold Goldblatt, and Bessie Love - and just right by the blank-faced children. Powell and the others do a capable job of barely showing any emotion, right up until the end.
It's slowly paced, and low key, but it does have its rewards for patient viewers.
Seven out of 10.