Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is a classic 1950s science-fiction film that still has a lot of charm, especially for fans of vintage alien-invasion movies. The story follows Dr. Russell Marvin, who works on Operation Skyhook, a space research project that becomes part of a much bigger threat when flying saucers arrive and Earth is forced to fight back.
One of the biggest strengths of the film is its visual style. The flying saucers are memorable, and the special effects by Ray Harryhausen remain a major reason this movie is still remembered today. The scenes of saucers attacking cities have a fun, dramatic, old-school sci-fi feel that makes the film very enjoyable, even decades later.
The acting by Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor fits the era well, and the movie has that serious-but-entertaining tone common in 1950s science fiction. It may feel a little dated in places, but that is also part of its appeal. The dialogue, pacing, and Cold War-era atmosphere give the film a nostalgic quality.
This DVD edition is especially nice because it includes both black-and-white and colorized versions, giving viewers the choice between the original look and a more modernized presentation. The colorized version is a fun bonus, though many classic film fans may still prefer the black-and-white version.
The main downside is that the film may feel slow or old-fashioned for viewers used to modern sci-fi action. Some of the science and performances are very much of their time. Still, for collectors and classic sci-fi fans, this is a very enjoyable release.
Overall, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is an entertaining and important vintage sci-fi film with iconic effects, a strong alien-invasion premise, and great replay value for fans of classic cinema.
Product Specifications
- Title: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
- Edition: Black-and-White & Colorized
- Format: DVD
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Director: Fred F. Sears
- Main Actors: Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis, John Zaremba, Morris Ankrum
- Writers: Bernard Gordon, Curt Siodmak, Donald E. Keyhoe, George Worthing Yates
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Release Date: January 15, 2008
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Media Format: AC-3, color, Dolby, dubbed
- Number of Discs: 2
- Listed Runtime: 2 hours 47 minutes
- Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
- Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
- Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
- Dubbed Languages: French, Portuguese, Spanish
- ASIN: B000YDOOHI
- Item Model Number: 3342282
- Product Dimensions: 7.5 × 5.5 × 0.5 inches
- Item Weight: 2.88 oz
- Customer Rating: 4.6/5 from 1,764 ratings
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10