Invasion (1966 film)
Invasion is a 1966 low-budget British science fiction film, directed by Alan Bridges for producer Jack Greenwood of Merton Park Studios.[1]
| Invasion | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Original British 1-sheet poster | |
| Directed by | Alan Bridges |
| Produced by | Jack Greenwood |
| Written by | Roger Marshall |
| Based on | a story by Robert Holmes |
| Starring | Edward Judd Yoko Tani |
| Music by | Bernard Ebbinghouse |
| Cinematography | James Wilson |
| Edited by | Derek Holding |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date | 1966 |
Running time | 82 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Plot
An alien "Lystrian" spacecraft crash-lands on Earth, near a secluded hospital not far from London. The aliens, who are humanoid and resemble East Asians, are taken to a rural hospital after a collision with a car where they cause a forcefield to be raised around the building.[2] The doctors are confused as the blood of the alien is not human.
An issue arises as the doctors are not able to determine if the alien is a law enforcement officer, or if the two other aliens are the law enforcement and the patient is their prisoner. Only the patient can speak English, further complicating matters.[3]
Critical reception
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction praises Alan Bridges' direction, saying that he "creates a powerfully strange atmosphere despite a very small budget."[4] Creature Feature also liked the movie, giving it 3 out of 5 stars. It stated the movie was atmospheric and that the director gave the movie a peculiar ambiance. [5] Moria found the idea to be good and liked the atmosphere, but that the movie was slow-moving. [6]
Production
The film was written by Roger Marshall from a storyline by Robert Holmes. Holmes later re-used elements of his storyline in a 1970 Doctor Who serial entitled Spearhead from Space, which introduced Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor.[7] Made at Merton Park Studios, one of the last movies designed to be part of a double feature.
Availability
The film was theatrically released by Anglo-Amalgamated in the UK, and by American International Pictures in the United States.
A very brief video release by Warner Home Video was available in the UK in 1992.
A DVD version was re-released in November 2014 by Networkonair.[8]
Cast
- Edward Judd as Dr. Mike Vernon
- Yoko Tani as Leader of the Lystrians
- Valerie Gearon as Dr. Claire Harland
- Lyndon Brook as Brian Carter
- Eric Young as the Lystrian
- Tsai Chin as Nurse Lim
- Barrie Ingham as Major Muncaster
- Anthony Sharp as Lawrence Blackburn
- Glyn Houston as Police Sergeant Draycott
- Ann Castle as Sister Evans
- John Tate as Dundy
- Jean Lodge as Barbara Gough
References
- "Invasion (1966)". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
- "BFI Screenonline: Invasion (1966)". screenonline.org.uk.
- http://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/invasion-1966.htm
- "Invasion [film]". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
- Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature: 3rd Edition
- http://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/invasion-1966.htm
- The Television Companion: The Unofficial & Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who by David J Howe & Stephen James Walker
- "Network ON AIR > Invasion". networkonair.com.