Review of It Came from Outer Space (1953) by Jonathan S — 14 Apr 2011

Got a 50's sci-fi box set for Chrimbo and this was the first of the films I hadn't seen from it. Watched the original trailer which is included and found that this was originally a 3D film and that explained some of the strange camera angles and shots of falling rocks. And here we are trying to pretend that 3D is the the latest technology!

The film was pretty much as you would expect for a 50's sci-fi, full of the paranoia of the age, fear of the unknown and ridicule of anybody who doesn't conform to the social norm of the time. It is well made, creates suspense in the early part while the mystery is being uncovered. And while the effects are somewhat cluncky the main focus is on the story and premise, making the effects work for the story and not the most important factor which is where most Sci-fi goes wrong.

The story, as I previously said, a cut above much of the fare, examining the different reactions to the strange, looking at two societies at different stages of development and the hopes and fears that they both have. It concludes that the human race was just not ready for meeting with aliens...the same could probably still be said which shows how far we have (not) travelled.