ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

Isn't it nice the way YouTube suggests videos based on your past preferences?

This one just popped up among their suggestions, and I've never even heard of it. The video is from somebody's old VHS tape, so the picture ain't too good. No surprise, eh?

Anybody remember this one?
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___________________ The Humanoid (1979)


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

[Gord Green]

L'umanoide, internationally released as The Humanoid and Humanoid, is a 1979 Italian science fiction film directed by Aldo Lado (credited as George B. Lewis).



The movie bears many similarities to the original Star Wars, for instance, a similar opening text crawl detailing current events in the film, the main villain wears a costume similar to that of Darth Vader and he commands a triangle-shaped spaceship resembling a Star Destroyer.



Many of the sets, costumes and vehicles also appear similar in design and the director, Aldo Lado, goes by the alias "George B. Lewis" in reference to George Lucas.



All and all.....Not a very good movie.

[Bud Brewster]

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First of all, another great post, Gord.

I've never seen this movie, but I'd like to. Knowing that I should have high expectations might allow me to enjoy it to some degree.

I guess this is an example of the idea that even though imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it's rarely an effective way to create quality results.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Pow]

The stunning Corinne Cleary was in 007's Moonraker while the lovely Barbara Bach was in The Spy Who Loved Me.

[Bogmeister]

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This is one of Richard Kiel's follow-up roles just after he briefly became a big star in The Spy Who Loved Me (77); he plays some kind of alien in this one — though there are two versions — a Han Solo-type hero and his dummy duplicate.

As stated everywhere else, this is probably the most blatant Italian copy of the megahit Star Wars.

Also, for whatever reason, Kiel was paired with his co-star from the James Bond film, Barbara Bach, in a couple of later films, including this one. Old-time character actor Arthur Kennedy also lends his talents to this, as an evil doctor.

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Goldweber, David Elroy (2012-06-14). Claws & Saucers: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Film: A Complete Guide 1902-1982 (Kindle Locations 36869-36883). David E. Goldweber. Kindle Edition[list]You know by now, Dear Reader, that I never begrudge imitations, especially sexy science fiction imitations made in Italy.

L'Umanoide comes to us from familiar names like Aldo Lado, Enzo Castellari, Antonio Margheriti, and Ennio Morricone. Morricone's electronic score is particularly compelling during the extended dreamy title sequence, setting up a wonderful mood for fans of 70s nostalgia.

Inspired casting gives us Richard Kiel as the Viking-like space rogue who gets transformed into (of course) a grunting giant. Our heroine is played by Corinne Cléry who appeared alongside Kiel in Moonraker and who wears no underwear throughout The Humanoid.

Our sycophantic evil scientist is played by Arthur Kennedy (The Antichrist), who steals most of his scenes. Finally, our evil warlord is played by Ivan Rassimov, though his mask obscures his perfect villain face.

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You could play a drinking game where everybody drinks every time an obvious Star Wars moment pops up. Not only do the evil soldiers all wear Darth Vader helmets, but the evil empress (Barbara Bach from Island of the Fishmen) even has a Darth Vader hairstyle!

The effects are inconsistent, and the climax is a rescue mission rather than an interstellar battle, but the picture generally achieves its attempt to feel epic and grand. You would think it had a huge budget. Pacing feels quicker than it really is because of the strong acting and the near-continuous array of striking (if unsubtle) outfits and uniforms. Some space battles could have been more intense, but the smaller-scale laser gun battles are exciting.
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BoG
Galaxy Overlord Galactus