They Came from Beyond Space (1967)

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Joseph Millard (novel)
Milton Subotsky (writer)

Release Date:

May 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Scientists investigating an unusual meteor shower in a rural field are possessed by an alien force bent on an ulterior purpose.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Space | V Formation | Meteorite | Plague

Cast

Robert Hutton	...	Dr. Curtis Temple
Jennifer Jayne	...	Lee Mason
Zia Mohyeddin	...	Farge
Bernard Kay	...	Richard Arden
Michael Gough	...	Master of the Moon
Geoffrey Wallace	...	Alan Mullane
Maurice Good	...	Agent Stillwell
Luanshya Greer	...	Female Gas Station Attendant
John Harvey	...	Bill Trethowan
Diana King	...	Mrs. Trethowan
Paul Bacon	...	Dr. Rogers
Christopher Banks	...	Doctor on Street
Dermot Cathie	...	Peterson
Norman Claridge	...	Dr. Frederick Andrews
James Donnelly	...	Farm Gate Guard

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Amicus Productions

Quotes:

Lee Mason: Sentiment! I will not have sentiment interfering with our vital work!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Night Slaves (1970) (TV)

The Organian Takeover

Any science fiction film that's got Michael Gough playing a character called The Master of the Moon has to be worthy of it being something less than outright awful. At that time in his career Gough was doing almost as many British horror films as Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

They Came From Beyond Space involves a race of aliens who are like the Organians from Star Trek totally incorporeal. But they sure have a lot of problems that the Organians don't seem to have. It's necessitated them taking over some earthly bodies as they come to earth hitchhiking on meteors.

Of course being as smart as the Organians they take over some scientists who operate in the United Kingdom. Except for expatriate American Robert Hutton who because he had a metal plate put in his head is somehow immune from takeover. But he sees all around him acting strangely including scientist girl friend Jennifer Jayne. That prompts him to take action.

For a guy who recently sustained a head injury Hutton certainly gets involved in a lot of fights, anyone of them could have done him in permanently. That is the nature of it for folks with plates in their heads. But that's just a minor point.

They Came From Beyond Space is poorly written, poorly edited, with amateurish special effects and a story that makes some of those Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials look believable. On the other hand it has Michael Gough hamming it up as The Master Of The Moon.

Gough might even convince you the Moon is made of green cheese and that's what the Organians eat.