They Came from Beyond Space (1967)

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

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Milton Subotsky (screenplay), Joseph Millard (novel)

Stars:

Robert Hutton, Jennifer Jayne, Zia Mohyeddin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Stilwell
Luanshya Greer	...	Girl Attendant
John Harvey	...	Bill Trethowan
Diana King	...	Mrs. Trethowan
Paul Bacon	...	Dr. Rogers
Christopher Banks	...	Doctor - Street
Dermot Cathie	...	Peterson
Norman Claridge	...	Dr. Frederick Andrews
James Donnelly	...	Guard

Storyline

Astronomers investigate a mysterious meteorite shower in a rural English farm field, - exceptional because the space rocks all fell in a V formation. Dr. Richard Arden, preeminent in the field of extraterrestrial study, is not permitted to accompany his colleagues, including his girlfriend Lee Mason, because he is still recovering from the effects of a recent motor accident. The scientists are summarily taken over by some alien force, and others in the area are dying from a mysterious "crimson plague," which covers their bodies with drops of blood. Temple seems the only person immune to both maladies, so if he can discover the reason for this immunity, he may yet foil the alien plan to take earthlings back to the moon for their own sinister purposes.

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | plague | meteorite | farm | v formation | 

---

Taglines:

The turn women into robots ... enslave men ... and make cities into places of terror!

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

La morte scarlatta viene dallo spazio

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amicus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The main character's reaction shot when he leaves the gas station for the first time (devilish smile from the car, closeup) is re-used later on in the film, when he leaves the gas station for the second time.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Referenced in Night Slaves (1970)

User Reviews

He should have had his head examined--Earlier!

This movie is passable at best. It has an interesting plot: some aliens are trying to find a way to survive by building a base on earth. They are seen as hostile because, for heaven's sake they take over people's brains and use them to construct their stuff. A scientist who has had brain surgery and has a silver plate in his head, is immune to this. Later, a buddy of his puts a colander on his head with a silver plate and is able to infiltrate the "evil forces." Along the way, our hero, who suffered his initial brain damage in a car accident, drives around in a classic roadster (he must be trying not to be conspicuous) which he is always parking somewhere and setting the hand brake. He flies in the faces of the aliens who seem to tolerate him a lot more than they should. His girlfriend, who finished in third place in the Lucille Ball look-alike contest is a scientist who is carrying the soul of an alien around with her. There is so much coming and going, we never quite understand what the heck they're doing. Only that they seem to make frequent trips to the moon. The ending is full of emotion and good will and, yes, overacting. Captain Kirk would have been proud. Sometimes you see a film that has a good skeleton plot and with a few bucks and a little imagination, it could have been OK. What is lacks is the human element.