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Title: The Puppet Masters (1994)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Donald Sutherland | ... | Andrew Nivens | |
| Eric Thal | ... | Sam Nivens | |
| Julie Warner | ... | Mary Sefton | |
| Keith David | ... | Alex Holland | |
| Will Patton | ... | Dr. Graves | |
| Richard Belzer | ... | Jarvis | |
| Tom Mason | ... | President Douglas | |
| Yaphet Kotto | ... | Ressler | |
| Gerry Bamman | ... | Viscott | |
| Sam Anderson | ... | Culbertson | |
 |
J. Patrick McCormack | ... | Gidding |
| Marshall Bell | ... | General Morgan | |
|
|
Nicholas Cascone | ... | Greenberg |
| Bruce Jarchow | ... | Barnes | |
| Benjamin Mouton | ... | Higgins | |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Strange aliens land in the Midwest, taking over people's minds in order to spread their dominion. Sam Nivens and Andrew Nivens, aided by Mary Sefton, are part of a government agency who must stop the the aliens before the aliens get to them... Written by Steve Fenwick <scf@w0x0f.com>
Taglines:
Trust No-one.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for violence, sci-fi gore and brief language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 October 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters See more »Filming Locations:
Los Angeles Convention Center - 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$4,069,057, 23 October 1994Gross USA:
$8,647,042Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$8,647,042Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Andrew: Why you must try for both, of course.
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Did You Know?
Goofs
When asked for the town's population, the figure is stated as 10,001. The population on the sign shown at the beginning is 10,079. See more »Quotes
Sam: So if the two of you are being shot at, which bullet do I take?Andrew: Why you must try for both, of course.
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One science-fiction film that turns out to be less disappointing than expected is this loose adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's novel.
Donald (give me another part in an alien pod movie) Sutherland interprets the role of Adam "The Old Man" Nivens, head of a secret government protection agency that has its hands full trying to stop an alien invasion by slug-like mental parasites which tap into people's brains, controlling them toward their own ends.
Eric Thal (of A STRANGER AMONG US) draws a blank where a strong character should be in the role of Sam, son of the Old Man, and fellow agent. Julie Warner (from DOC HOLLYWOOD) fares a little better as Mary, a NASA xenobiologist along for the roller coaster ride.
The opening scenes do justice to the setting and atmosphere of the book, and the skeleton of the original plot is unpredictable and thrilling, but eventually, the compromises in adaptation give rise to Hollywood-style sci-fi conventions such as alien hives.
Several realistic, key elements are thrown out, along with almost all of the sharp dialogue which made the book a hit.
However, the special effects are convincing, and the cinematography and editing are streamlined and tight. Far from being definitive, this version of the tale is nonetheless sufficiently satisfying and worth a look.