The Brain from Planet Arous (1957)

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

When a flying brain the size of Stewie Griffin's head comes down from the mysterious planet Arous, it strives to take over the world and inserts itself in the bodies of various nuclear scientists (including John Agar) in an effort to do so. Like many an alien invader, it demands the presence of representatives of all the major countries of the world in order to show its power (blowing things up instantly with a look of its evil eye) in an effort to rule not just the earth but the universe as a whole. The brain monster is actually very frightening looking, certainly one of the most powerful and less silly looking creatures of the plethora of science fiction/horror movies of the late 1950's and 60's. When the brain is on, flying around (after first being seen in a brain-made cave) and speaking in English, the film is gripping if still unbelievable. Joyce Meadows and Robert Fuller are also prominently featured, and like any good actor in a silly science fiction film, they do their best to take everything seriously and not let it come off as tongue-in-cheek. Still, the whole premise and conclusion (especially the presence of a small brain from Arous in Agar's devoted dog) is somewhat silly, giving this a cult following and a major place in science fiction film history that makes it a must as long as the audience is aware of what it is getting itself into for 69 minutes.

Director Nathan Hertz tried his best to make a quality Monster movie, but being restricted by resources and a limited budget, he left us with a this B- Picture. Upon viewing it, many audiences responded with giggles, laughter and considerable derision. For others who watched with interest, this was not that bad a Sci-fi effort. O.K. so it wasn't top notch, it did have a credible leading man John Agar who plays Steve March and a somewhat constricted, albeit hooky script. Joyce Meadows plays pretty Sally Fallon the love interest with Robert Fuller as Dan Murphy holding down the rest of the cast. The story as weak as it is, tells of a Giant Brain invading Earth and seeking a planet where he hope to create a superior species and a base for Universal conquest. It is learned, although the invading Brain is criminal in nature, he is soon followed by a second equally Powerful Brain out to thwart his plan. The movie is standard Black and White in plot and if one doesn't expect too much will entertain any attentive child. For an early 1950's Science fiction movie, it still made it to many Monster Magazines of the day. Today it's considered an early Monster classic. Recommended to the Child in all movie goers. **

I saw this movie as a child, and couldn't remember its title for ages, until I found it on the internet, so my comment contains influences from the impression of the film from my childhood years. Seeing the film after 30 or so years, I'm impressed how much story they can get out of a sci-fi film that has hardly any special effects. I kind of like this format as the main character is not the special effect, but things happening around what seems like an ordinary life situation. Although this film is a low budget '50s sci-fi, there's something about it that's more entertaining than going to sci-fi channel and watching shows loaded with CGs. There's some good story telling, and actors that really looks like ordinary people who've found themselves in the most bizarre situation. I find this kind of refreshing. There's real lack of intrigue in more contemporary mass produced sci-fi flicks, which drives me back looking for these classics from time to time.

"The Brain From Planet Arous" is one of the best 50's sci-fi films of that genre. In the 60's and 70's it was on WOR, or WPIX TV about twice a month. If you are a fan of this film, you should absolutely buy the DVD. It's part of the Wade Williams Collection, and put out by Image Entertainment. The DVD transfer is excellent! One of the better things about this film, is that it is in B & W, not color. John Agars' performance is the ultimate campy overacting, but it fits in just great! There is a small, but good part played by a very young Robert Fuller in the beginning. This film rates up along with another from that time period. "Attack Of The Crab Monsters!" [email protected]