I have been a collector of the British cinema of the 1930's to the mid 60's for some years. One of my principle interests is in the backgrounds and 'business' behind the main story.
Science fiction films were difficult to produce at the time in Britain, as the budgets were low, even in comparison to US 'B' movies , and yet to earn export dollars they had to be pleasing to an American audience.
Fortunately for we viewers this film has avoided falling in to the trap of using wobbly scenery to subsidise special effects The setting for the story is an attractive but unremarkable village on the south coast conveniently close by train and coach to London.
There is the village pub, the police station, the school, Brierley woods and the discreet research centre.
These all provide authentic backdrops for the well constructed and well developed plot.
I suspect that the giant insect incident with its macro-photography and army documentary splices was 'shoe-horned' into the plot to make the film more saleable in the US.
The science of the fiction is not only of the same style as perhaps John Wyndham or Quatermass, but also Fred and Geoffrey Hoyle, its presentation laid out as stage play and a novel.
Watch this film with enjoyment, particularly if you can appreciate the difference in rank between a Hillman and a Singer car driver..!!!
Science fiction films were difficult to produce at the time in Britain, as the budgets were low, even in comparison to US 'B' movies , and yet to earn export dollars they had to be pleasing to an American audience.
Fortunately for we viewers this film has avoided falling in to the trap of using wobbly scenery to subsidise special effects The setting for the story is an attractive but unremarkable village on the south coast conveniently close by train and coach to London.
There is the village pub, the police station, the school, Brierley woods and the discreet research centre.
These all provide authentic backdrops for the well constructed and well developed plot.
I suspect that the giant insect incident with its macro-photography and army documentary splices was 'shoe-horned' into the plot to make the film more saleable in the US.
The science of the fiction is not only of the same style as perhaps John Wyndham or Quatermass, but also Fred and Geoffrey Hoyle, its presentation laid out as stage play and a novel.
Watch this film with enjoyment, particularly if you can appreciate the difference in rank between a Hillman and a Singer car driver..!!!