It Came from Outer Space (1953)

Name: It Came from Outer Space
Director: Jack Arnold
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Released: 1953-06-05
Duration: 1 h 21 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, Charles Drake, Joe Sawyer

Approved | 81 min | Horror, Sci-Fi

A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely.

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6.5/10
8,625

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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Richard Carlson

John Putnam
Barbara Rush

Ellen Fields
Charles Drake

Sheriff Matt Warren
Joe Sawyer

Frank Daylon
Russell Johnson

George
Kathleen Hughes

Jane

Full cast

Awards

Won 1 Golden Globe.

Another 3 nominations.

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User Reviews

6 February 2001 | sowr

Atmospheric and creepy

First of all let's get rid of that absurd notion that science fiction films of the fifties were merely a sub-conscious attempt to personify the threat from communism - this is a hackneyed idea, and far from the truth.

This is a thoughtfully crafted film, which like other good science fiction films of this era starts out portraying the aliens as monsters, only to reveal that they are benevolent and superior (how does this fit into the "Red Menace" theory?).

The screenplay was penned by Ray Bradbury and is full of very good dialog and ideas, especially the notion that we are not ready to meet such advanced civilizations. The scenes in the high desert are very atmospheric and creepy, and although the renderings of alien technology at first seem somewhat adolescent, there is a genuine sense of wonder when the internals of the alien ship are revealed. Something missing from today's, blase, computer generated, over the top, excesses.

The 3D is a useless appendage, and not worthy of discussion.

If you like science fiction pre-scifi channel and post-golden age, rent this movie and enjoy the atmosphere.

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Typing the helicopter's number into most web search engines will produce its registration and history (last checked in 2013). Although the copter is shown carrying three people in the film, it was registered as a two seat vehicle.

Quotes

John Putnam: This is Sand Rock, Arizona, of a late evening in early spring. It's a nice town, knowing its past and sure of its future, as it makes ready for the night, and the predictable morning. The desert blankets the earth, cooling, resting for the fight ...

Goofs

The top support of the incoming spacecraft is visible, and just before the shot ends, you can see the reflections of a glass box or window on the screen.

Crazy Credits

The credits are at the end rather than at the beginning. They include shots of the characters with the cast names, and the pictures would mean nothing if seen before the film.