Rating: 
Summary: Fifties Science Fiction Alien Invasion Paranoia and in COLOR
Review: "Invaders From Mars" was the first science fiction film made in color and one that tries to make the most of Cold War paranoia. Young David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt) sees strange lights settling behind a hill near his house and then notices that all the adults in town start acting really strange. However, it turns out not to be Commies in them thar hills, but alien invaders of a different kind and David is going to need some help. This is happening in the backyard of David's California home is because his father, George (Leif Erickson), is a scientist at the local top secret base where they are working on an atomic powered rocket to go to Mars. George goes off to investigate (he is a scientist, therefore he is curious) and returns a changed man. When David notices the small wound at the base of his father's skull, his mind starts the leap to the astounding conclusion. Fortunately, David has found a more than friendly face in the person of Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter) who can help him save his parents, the locals, and, well, the entire world. This 1953 film was also the last one directed by William Cameron Menzies, who is best known as the production designer on "Gone With the Wind" but who also directed "Things to Come," the 1936 science fiction classic based on the H.G. Wells novel. This is not a special effects film, which is rather surprising given the decision to make it in color. Most of the film bears the stamp of Menzies' direction, which resulted in a rather dream-like quality to what is going on that is rather unique for a Fifties Science Fiction film. This becomes particularly effective because the film is obviously geared at adolescents, not only in terms of its young protagonist but also in terms of materializing the traditional fears of adolescents (your parents and every adult in town is out to make sure you have no fun whatsoever). Menzies also deserves credit for the fantastic set of the hill leading up to the sand pit. The conclusion of this film is the weakest part, on several levels, ranging from the level of special effects and zippered alien costumes to the "epilogue" (you will understand when you see the film). But that is a traditional criticism of most films, whether you are talking science fiction or not: the payoff is not as good as the set up (the hill set overlooking the sand pit was so great that whatever was down there on the other side was not go to match the high expectations built up over the course of the film). Still, "Invaders From Mars" is a prime example of Fifties Sci Fi Paranoia, along with "It Came From Outer Space" and "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers." "Invaders From Mars" was remade by director Tobe Hooper in 1986, with Jimmy Hunt now playing the Police Chief, but the new version has nothing of the elegance of the original, which is the one you need to see at least once as part of your alien invasion movie heritage.
Rating: 
Summary: What could be better??!!
Review: THE classic sci-fi scary film of the 50s. Martians invading Earth and only a young boy knows the truth! The film has been compared to the scare of the Cold War, and the point of view is all from the eyes of young David (Jimmy Hunt). This newly released DVD has the best color reproduction of any version I've seen, and while there are numerous scratches on the print (a new print from the original negative would have been marvelous, the box lauds "new digital transfer," but of course it is...it's a newly transferred print from a bad copy), the inclusion of the UK version of the film, never seen in the US as far as I know, is worth the price right there! While my own first impression was this is a better version, I think the original U.S. version ultimately is more satisfying, although the UK's extended observatory sequence is most interesting (nevermind it's obviously a cut in, complete with Jimmy Hunt's haircut being different than the rest of the film!). Details in the accompanying booklet detail just who the "head in the globe" really was *:) And some of the production details and the bonus production stills make this an excellent buy for any fan of 50s sci-fi. I've watched it many times since purchasing, and feel there are some interesting "clues" that point to a dream all along (pay very close attention to clocks, especially at the bedroom scene with the parents in the US version - the clock is only seen for a moment, but the time it shows is....well, watch for yourself!).
Rating: 
Summary: Form ruins substance
Review: While the term "classic" is thoroughly overused to describe movies, "Invaders from Mars" is definitely a sci-fi classic in the truest sense. Sadly, this version of the movie is simply atrocious. As another reviewer here correctly stated, "What you get is a scratchy, jumpy film with more interference lines than you used to get on TV before cable. Stay away from this version." I found the poor picture quality so distracting that it ruined the experience of watching the film.
Rating:
Summary: Prelude to "Taken"
Review: The prototype for later scifi movies, "Invaders from Mars" a 1953 Color film will take you along an exciting course... implants are introduced as well as theories about an underground Martian civilization are well integrated into the plot of the film. I thought the ending was very novel for it's time... a time loop. The British edition is also featured on the DVD and is interesting but not as original as the American version... You decide which ending you like. This film is also probably the fore runner to the abduction experiences recounted by so many these days... The special effects are of course almost childlike by todays standards...particularly the explosions and the sand pit scenes...but other scenes where the alien head uses telepathy are ahead of their time and were later used by Star trek episodes later.
Rating:
Summary: A classic 1950's Sci-Fi
Review: If you like 1950's Sci-Fi movies, or enjoy watching them with your kids (I love educating my kids to the classics),this is the perfect "watch-at-night-with-popcorn movie." There are no whiz-bang effects (ballons and something that looks like boiling spaghetti sauce are used inside Martian tunnels under the sandpit) and the Martian costumes are pretty silly, but the story and character development more than make up for any shortcomings. I own both the VHS and DVD of this movie and I love the DVD. I don't think a print worthy of total restoration exists and the audio is just OK (no spectacular Surround effects) but the DVD does have original trailers on it and it does not have the inherent pifalls of tape (drop outs, even worse color and audio). My kids (and even my wife) get hooked on this film when I play it. The suspense starts right away and the film gets you "inside" David (the starring character in the movie) so you feel his frustration in his attempts to reveal the secrets of the "Sand Pit." Everyone, at some point in their lives, will have a nightmare where they run from an enemy and can never escape. This is the movie made from that nightmare.
Rating:
Summary: Fifties Science Fiction Alien Invasion Paranoia and in COLOR
Review: "Invaders From Mars" was the first science fiction film made in color and one that tries to make the most of Cold War paranoia. Young David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt) sees strange lights settling behind a hill near his house and then notices that all the adults in town start acting really strange. However, it turns out not to be Commies in them thar hills, but alien invaders of a different kind and David is going to need some help. This is happening in the backyard of David's California home is because his father, George (Leif Erickson), is a scientist at the local top secret base where they are working on an atomic powered rocket to go to Mars. George goes off to investigate (he is a scientist, therefore he is curious) and returns a changed man. When David notices the small wound at the base of his father's skull, his mind starts the leap to the astounding conclusion. Fortunately, David has found a more than friendly face in the person of Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter) who can help him save his parents, the locals, and, well, the entire world. This 1953 film was also the last one directed by William Cameron Menzies, who is best known as the production designer on "Gone With the Wind" but who also directed "Things to Come," the 1936 science fiction classic based on the H.G. Wells novel. This is not a special effects film, which is rather surprising given the decision to make it in color. Most of the film bears the stamp of Menzies' direction, which resulted in a rather dream-like quality to what is going on that is rather unique for a Fifties Science Fiction film. This becomes particularly effective because the film is obviously geared at adolescents, not only in terms of its young protagonist but also in terms of materializing the traditional fears of adolescents (your parents and every adult in town is out to make sure you have no fun whatsoever). Menzies also deserves credit for the fantastic set of the hill leading up to the sand pit. The conclusion of this film is the weakest part, on several levels, ranging from the level of special effects and zippered alien costumes to the "epilogue" (you will understand when you see the film). But that is a traditional criticism of most films, whether you are talking science fiction or not: the payoff is not as good as the set up (the hill set overlooking the sand pit was so great that whatever was down there on the other side was not go to match the high expectations built up over the course of the film). Still, "Invaders From Mars" is a prime example of Fifties Sci Fi Paranoia, along with "It Came From Outer Space" and "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers." "Invaders From Mars" was remade by director Tobe Hooper in 1986, with Jimmy Hunt now playing the Police Chief, but the new version has nothing of the elegance of the original, which is the one you need to see at least once as part of your alien invasion movie heritage.
Rating:
Summary: Form ruins substance
Review: While the term "classic" is thoroughly overused to describe movies, "Invaders from Mars" is definitely a sci-fi classic in the truest sense. Sadly, this version of the movie is simply atrocious. As another reviewer here correctly stated, "What you get is a scratchy, jumpy film with more interference lines than you used to get on TV before cable. Stay away from this version." I found the poor picture quality so distracting that it ruined the experience of watching the film.
Rating:
Summary: No communists just aliens
Review: Yes, this has been one of my all time favs, it scared the bedoobies out of me as a kid, along with The Preying Mantis, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Fly. But some of us kids who stayed awake frozen at with fear at night hearing strange noises due to the movies and our imaginations were not afraid of communists, but that our parents could turn into something OTHER than our parents, (i.e., alien monsters who had destroyed our REAL parents) only we would know it and the other grown-ups would not believe that our parents were aliens, either because they were also aliens or because we just "kids". I have no idea if this movie would have such an impact on me today, if I were to see it for the first time as a grown-up, but it is a memory that I won't forget. Now I have a lot of fun watching it, when I was little I was just really scared. And it really is a GOOD MOVIE...I am thankful that it is available..
Rating: 
Summary: Beware the Fiftieth Anniversary DVD Edition
Review: I think everyone interested in scifi films, especially films of the fifities, remembers this classic. I have a VHS version, but when the Fiftieth Anniversary DVD came out, I couldn't wait to get it. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!! The DVD is made from the original 35mm print, and I guess the historians did not want to tamper with it in any way, or didn't want to spend the money. What you get is a scratchy, jumpy film with more interference lines than you used to get on TV before cable. Stay away from this version. It usually costs more, and it's a waste of your money. The imperfections ruin the enjoyment of seeing one of the all-time classic scifi films. The British version included on the disk is of equal "quality". We would have been better served if they included a restored version with the original print.
Rating:
Summary: Great old sci-fi flick...but is this the best transfer?
Review: I was very excited when this DVD came out, having some time ago purchase a cheap copy from one of those bargain-DVD companies. And while this is certainly an improvement over the grainy print I owned, I have to say I'm a little disappointed that the film still isn't in great shape. A good portion of the outdoor scenes are pretty murky, making it hard at times to tell what is going on. Some scratches and minor imperfections are to be expected (even though, with today's film restoration technology, I think even these can be fixed). And to be fair, this was a low-budget film that may never have looked that great. I guess I was just hoping for more. Now, a word about the two versions of the film on this disc. I don't want to give away the ending(s) to anyone who hasn't seen it, but let's just say the original U.S. ending has been considered by many fans to be a "cop out" ending. The British version does away with that, as well as the ridiculously long montage that proceeds it. But here's an odd thing: I still think I prefer the more ambigious U.S. ending. It's just more...I don't know....FUN. So maybe this is the best version of INVADERS FROM MARS we'll ever get. It's a fun movie, a minor classic of the beloved genre of 50's sci-fi films. But it does in fact pale (both the film itself and the transfer) beside other acknowledged classics of that era.
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