Invasion (1965)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Admirable film.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I saw this film as a B movie, I don't remember the main title but I do remember this one. I enjoyed it at the time, being a Sci Fi lover, I saw it again recently on Talking Pictures TV and enjoyed it again. OK there is no CGI or big explosions, or weird looking aliens just suspense, who are these aliens and what do they want.Expertly steered by solid acting from Edward Judd who had recently stared in 'First Men in The Moon' and supported by Lyndon Brook, Glynn Houston and Barry Ingham, not to mention the lovely Yoko Tani.Better than a lot of Sci Fi B movies of the time.

This could very well have been shorter and appeared as a television production, but instead probably put out as a B movie, as it was worth the elevated status with the extra minutes. It came as no surprise to me to learn that the writer Robert Holmes was a prolific writer for British Television, including Dr Who. This came out in 1966 and reminded me of the better television from that era, but do not let that put you off. Me? I can't get enough of it. What it doesn't have in budget, it makes up for, with style. I cite the doll's head in the doll's house with the rocking horse in the background as an example of style (pure 1960's). Think of The Avengers in the black and white era without John Steed and Emma Peel and you will have an idea of the feel of the film, and enjoyment, although it's not lighthearted, only well intentioned. It may not have Diana Rigg in, but it does have Tsai Chin, playing a small part as a nurse (maybe it's the uniform). She has had quite a career, which included You Only Live Twice and Casino Royale. In a film that curiously used Chinese looking aliens, Tsai Chin is a human nurse (she is Chinese by birth). The main lead man Edward Judd puts in a solid performance as does the main lead woman Valerie Gearon (appropriate name for the 60's?), who starts off being very sexy then in the next scene goes into just a little bit too much over (re)acting for me, but comes back down to earth, and settles into her part. She has great hair by the way. This is an intelligent Sci-Fi film with lofty intentions with a limited bank account available, and that is where I think it benefits. More money spent would not make this much more enjoyable for me, I'm thinking Close Encounters. They had to use their ideas and expertise to make this work instead of money. For example there are some good black and white scenes, such as when the woman gets out of the car at night in a white coat into the headlights. I feel I must mention that I liked the way they learnt the language by "downloading" from the source, a nice touch (pun intended). Sure, there are some questions to be asked about the space ship and the armies and policeman's attitude to an alien landing (not an invasion). They should have learnt from watching the films from the 1950's (The Day The Earth Stood Still etc) that it is quite a big deal. If you also can get over all of this and that the aliens look like Chinese people, then the film has a good heart and well intentioned which may certainly win you over, as it did me, and one I will remember (for the right reasons). A sign of a good movie.

Given that by 1966 most of the United Kingdom's hospitals were staffed by immigrants of various ethnicities and political doctrines, this so called Sci-Fi drama could only be slightly less heavy handed if the "invaders" had resembled West Indians instead of Asians.This romp takes its time to warm up, culminating in a rocket blasting off to an unknown planet knocking gorgeous Valerie Gearon off her feet to reveal her stockings, suspenders and knickers - five years later she would deal Frank Finlay a crucial blow (but not a BJ!) to his heteromasculinity In BBC's Casanova.Although it is employed here very impressively, a force field had been, uh "seen" in Star Trek's pilot show The Cage two years earlier.Grumpiness factor 8/10 for awkward as ever Edward Judd; crumpet factor 8/10 each For Miss Gearon and delicious Japanese babe Yoko Tani. Phwoar! 6/10 MJB

This film had a kind of haunting effect on me for over 25 years.There is a scene in it where a man (later to be realised a doctor) drives his car away from a building in a manic fashion, trying to get away from something, and crashes, he stops dead, literally dead as his car hits an invisible barrier. Then other people come out of the building and comment on how it's their turn next etc. You know that moment in time has come back to me on a number of occasions through life and until last year I didn't have the faintest idea what film it came from. Then one night I stayed up until the early hours - the vegetable slot - and started watching this Very Low Budget but Very Intriguing film. Good lord, it must have been put together for a few shillings in the old money but HEY was it watchable. And then this same scene came up and it was like a sheer relief that a question that went unanswered for so long was finally solved.If you get the chance, see this film. Don't expect Hollywood budgets or special effects 'cos they're not present - what you will see is the kind of solid acting and credible performances that only come from a cast who take pride in what they are doing; committing something to celluloid for the benefit of others and something sadly lacking nowadays - real movie art.Not a masterpiece but certainly very worthy.