ALL SCI-FI

The Spike · Last edited by The Spike on Sat Nov 22, 2014 4:44 am; edited 1 time in total

This is the film adaptation of a 1956 UK TV serial of the same name, The Trollenberg Terror is a whole bunch of fun and not deserving of the stinker reputation it has in some sci-fi loving circles.

The action is set in Trollenberg, Switzerland, and it concerns alien creatures who have taken residence in a radioactive cloud atop of the Trollenberg mountain. These creatures rip the heads off several mountain climbers who venture into their lofty domain!

As the bodies start to pile up, and various climbers go missing on the mountain, the United Nations sends a boffin to help the local scientists solve the mystery.

The effects work has been the source of some disdain — and in truth it's poor. But it's not the worst from the 1950s pantheon of "B" schlockers. The back projection scenes are crude, but again in keeping with the fun aspects of the genre of this era.

However, Jimmy Sangster's screenplay is tight and produces brainy conversations and strong sequences.

Horror comes by way of headless bodies turning up. On the normal human side, the narrative is given a boost by Janet Munro's (excellent) telepathic darling, something which troubles the visitors greatly and puts her in grave danger.

The psychological aspects of the story mark this out as a genre piece of worth.

Elsewhere, director Quentin Lawrence does a study job with what is available to him, Forest Tucker is the hero in waiting, playing it reserved like, and Warren Mitchell proves to be a good foil for Tucker and the Terror!

It's not a great film, but it is a good one — let down in some tech departments for sure, but strengths elsewhere make up for its flaws. 7/10
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The quality of mercy is not strnen.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 9:52 am Post subject:

Love the poster.

Love the lovely Janet Munro.

Love the concepts.

What's not to love about a movie that has aliens trying to adapt to Earth conditions by starting with a hostile environment (a frigid mountaintop with very thin air) and moving slowly downward.

Brilliant.

Good review, Spike.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject:

And what's not to love about Janet Munro?

Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 2:27 pm Post subject:

Yes, this poor little thing certainly needs all the love we can give her, bless her heart. Very Happy

Doesn't her sweet, innocent face just tug at your heart strings? Hmmm? Wink

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:44 am Post subject:

Janet won my heart with all of those Disney films that she appeared in. I was very saddened reading about her later life.

IMDB has a beautiful photo of her on their listing for her.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:36 pm Post subject:

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An exciting trailer for this classic with a unique premise!
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____________________ Crawling Eye - trailer

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2020 12:03 pm Post subject:

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Here's the full movie with a good picture.

Enjoy! _

______________________ The Crawling Eye

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

ralfy · Mission Specialist Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Posts: 473

1080p version with "Beware Theater" intro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCOicOv_lPw