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Classic Sci-Fi Collection : Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers / Thing From Another World / Incredible Shrinking Man / This Island Earth / Creature From The Black Lagoon / It Came From Outer Space
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £16.50 (subject to change)
many high-points of 50s sci-fi for the true enthusiast;
Review date: 2008-10-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
What with their impressive roster of 1930s GOTHIC-HORROR chillers and this batch of essential 1950s sci-fi, UNIVERSAL have served, extremely well, the requirements of those interested in fantasy cinema that stretches further back than just the latest multiplex blockbuster.
In their day, these were amongst the all-time highlights on offer in this field, and though they are obviously the result of significantly lesser budgets than today's glossy-but-mostly-braindead cinematic outings, these movies retain the personal stamp of the creators who filmed them, and as a result are more personal--and engaging-----than much of today's sprawling epics, which tend to bludgeon the viewer senseless with non-stop spectacle.
Anyone caring to build a DVD collection of 1950s sci-fi classics can do so now very cheaply [although 'FORBIDDEN PLANET' and the first two 'QUATERMASS' movies are at time of writing, fairly expensive]: most decent films of this genre from other studios, like FOX'S 'DAY THE earth STOOD STILL', 'THE FLY', PARAMOUNT'S 'WAR of the WORLDS' etc,are available at a reasonable price, and this boxset of 7 UNIVERSAL outings are a fine cornerstone of such a collection.
Housed in 7 individual 'slimline' cases which may anger some purists---but it's not an issue for me-----with decent extras in the cases of ' LAGOON' and 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE', the only colour entry [there were relatively few 50s sci-fi movies shot in colour] is pulp-action adventure 'THIS ISLAND EARTH'.
All of these films are worthy additions to the serious buff, but personal highlights include 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE' [here enjoying a lavish, ultra-clear treatment] and 1957s' 'INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN', which remains THE superior essay of searing, escalating 1950s paranoia.
The only disappointment I had here was in the less-than-satisfactory print of 1956's 'INVASION of the BODY SNATCHERS', rightly regarded as a genuine classic in this category, a low-key but apocalyptic nightmare vision of stolen identity on a global scale: given UNIVERSAL'S usually impeccable record in putting out decent-quality prints from their back-catalogue, it's rare indeed that the quality of such a noted piece should be adequate/merely watchable rather than pristine and cleaned-up, as it obviously deserves.
I hope to cover the individual films here [on their own merits] at some point, and until a decent print of 'BODY SNATCHERS' finally emerges--if ever------this overall set is highly reccomended, and represents fine value, and still worthy of 5 stars.
P.S. 'TARANTULA' is also on here, but sometimes omitted from descriptions: it's another fine 'mutated insect on rampage' outing.
Similar Products
- Forbidden Planet - 50th Anniversary 2 Disc Special Edition [1956]
- The Day The Earth Stood Still [1951]
- When Worlds Collide [1951]
- Them [1954]
- Invaders
Reviews
A Great Collection
Review date: 2008-04-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
I thoroughly enjoyed working my way through this collection. Every film present is rightly labelled as a 'Sci Fi classic'; I do not mean every film is brilliant but important to the genre. I was particularly surprised at the quality of film making on offer (prior to purchase I had only seen Creature). The Special effects are fantastic and Tarantula was a very pleasant surprise, I thought I would be laughing but I was actually drawn in. If you are a fan of Sci-Fi/ Fantasy then this box set is an ideal purchase. Well done Universal !!
drive in films
Review date: 2008-03-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
very good films from the 50s
funny intelligent - classic
Drive-in Heaven
Review date: 2007-11-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
Ever wanted to be a character in Grease or Happy Days? Ever wished you could go to a drive-in movie like in the opening titles of The Flintstones but were prevented from doing so by not growing up in the fifties in some American backwater? Yearn no more! Buy this collection, set up the DVD player in the garden on a balmy summer's night and you're away...
These films are fantastic, in every sense of the word. They're not GREAT films, but their evocation of time and place is unsurpassed. Some have been remade but never bettered (The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers), some have been sung about in the Rocky Horror (Picture) Show (Tarantuala, It Came from Outer Space)...and the fifties wouldn't have been the fifties without The Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Pop that corn, make yourself an ice cream soda, sit back and enjoy...
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Grant Williams
Richard Carlson
Ken Tobey
Jeff Morrow
Kevin McCarthy
Creators:
Kevin McCarthy (Primary Contributor)
Ken Tobey (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582513738
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 7
Format: Box set, Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-01
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 553 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)