Cinemas of the 1950s saw a variety of threats from outer space but come the 1960s flying saucers and death ray-toting aliens would step aside from some more insidious types of attacks from beyond. In the case of Britain’s The Earth Dies Screaming we have a film that isn’t so much about an alien invasion as it is about the end of civilization itself.
The film begins with a chilling sequence dealing with a mysterious cosmic event that strikes the Earth, causing widespread devastation. People collapse dead in the streets or crash whatever they are driving. Among the survivors is Jeff Nolan (Willard Parker), an American pilot who emerges unscathed from a plane crash. He soon encounters a handful of other survivors, including Peggy (Virginia Field), a woman who had unwittingly found herself under the protection of Quinn Taggart (Dennis Price), who will be this film’s resident asshole and the cause of strife beyond the exterior threat. They are joined by couple Vi Courtland and (Vanda Godsell) and Edgar Otis (Thorley Walters), our despondent drunk, and heavily pregnant Lorna Brenard (Anna Palk) and her moody husband, Mel (David Spenser).
“Tune in for terror from beyond space?”
Apparently, a mysterious gas attack has killed off most of the Earth’s population, our protagonist having survived by either being in a bomb shelter or room with an equally isolated air supply, and they must discover what exactly is going on before they meet a similar fate. This fight is soon tied to the appearance of figures in space suits who are seen marching down the street. As the group begins to explore the desolate landscape, they discover that the world is now inhabited by deadly robot-like creatures. These machines, constructed by the alien invaders, patrol the streets, relentlessly hunting down any remaining humans, and by “relentlessly hunting down” I mean slowly meandering after people and occasionally peaking in a window.
Alien invaders or robotic perverts?
As the survivors struggle to stay alive, they uncover clues about the nature of the alien invasion. Through their investigations they learn that the robots are controlled by an invisible force, and they must find a way to disrupt the aliens’ hold over their mechanical minions. But to make matters worse, it seems this particular robot menace has the ability to resurrect the dead and use these “walking corpses” as foot soldiers to track down the last surviving members of humanity. Though to be fair, this threat is slightly lessened by the fact that the undead can easily be stopped by a couple of well-placed bullets. I don’t want to disparage alien science but that seems to undercut the reason behind using the dead as soldiers.
Night of the Easily Killed.
The premise of the film is simple yet effective, with our band of survivors struggling to comprehend the situation and find a way to endure. When they discover that the planet is now inhabited by deadly robots controlled by an unknown force the tension quickly mounts as they must navigate this perilous landscape while confronting their own fears and suspicions. At its core, The Earth Dies Screaming is a gripping tale of survival and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It explores themes of humanity’s capacity for both destruction and redemption, making it a thought-provoking addition to the sci-fi genre.
Humanity’s last-ditch stand against an alien menace.
Stray Observations:
• This movie has quite a few similarities to the 1954 film Target Earth where giant robots from Venus invade Chicago and survivors hide out in the deserted city.
• The car and plane crash during the opening gas attack is “borrowed” from the film Village of the Damned.
•
Jeff states he survived the gas because he was flying at the time of
the attack, but during the opening scenes, we saw an aircraft crash
because the pilot was slumped over the controls. Is there an issue of
altitude we are not aware of?
• The idea of an alien invasion utilizing the reanimated dead had recently been used in 1959’s Invisible Invaders.
• The biggest question viewers may have while watching this film is “If the ‘aliens’ are robots, why do they need space suits?”
•
The look and design of these robotic invaders bear a striking
resemblance to the Cybermen who would appear for the first time on Doctor Who two years after this film’s release.
“We are the future. There is nothing to fear.”
Despite its low budget, The Earth Dies Screaming makes effective use of its limited resources to create impressive special effects, particularly in its depiction of the robotic antagonists, even if their slow lumbering walk doesn’t come across as all that threatening, and the film’s brilliant use of silence adds a very ominous tone that heightens the tension throughout its short running time. Another of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to create a sense of dread and unease from the very beginning as the desolate landscapes and abandoned streets serve as a haunting backdrop for the unfolding events, while the eerie silence punctuated by the occasional sound of approaching robots keeps viewers on edge throughout.
“Have you heard the good news about robotic slavery?”
While the special effects may not match contemporary standards, the film excels in creating a haunting atmosphere through its stark black-and-white cinematography. The barren landscapes and dilapidated structures contribute to the sense of isolation and impending doom. The sound design, with minimalistic yet effective use of music and sound effects, adds to the film’s overall eerie ambience. As for the alien robots, while basic by today’s standards they manage to exude a menacing presence that complements the film’s overall sense of dread. The decision to keep them somewhat enigmatic adds to the fear of the unknown, a common theme in effective science fiction and those opening scenes of the dead littering the streets keep a pawl hanging over the proceedings.
At least find affordable housing will be less of a problem.
The cast delivers solid performances, with veteran actor Willard Parker leading the ensemble as a stoic American determined to protect his fellow companions often despite themselves. Joining him are a diverse group of characters, each grappling with their own fears and motivations, adding depth to the story and keeping audiences engaged. Their struggle for survival and the tension among the group elevate the film beyond a mere creature feature. The narrative unfolds with a series of discoveries and challenges, and the script successfully maintains a balance between character-driven drama and suspenseful sci-fi action.
Mankind’s last and great hope, these guys.
Ultimately, The Earth Dies Screaming is a story of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It’s a gripping tale that offers a unique twist on the classic alien invasion narrative, delivering suspense, thrills, and thought-provoking themes that resonate long after the credits roll. It is a compelling story with atmospheric visuals and strong performances making this piece of vintage science fiction sure to leave a lasting impression.
