Earth vs. the Flying Saucers

Released Jul 4, 1956

1h 23m

Sci-Fi

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List

73%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

55%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A space scientist (Hugh Marlowe) figures out how to down a fleet of alien spacecraft looming over Washington, D.C.

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Rob Humanick

Slant Magazine

One of countless pieces of '50s pulp to come out of a social fabric defined equally by interest in the unknown and mounting Cold War paranoia.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 14, 2008

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

While the special effects may seem absurd when compared to all the CG images that inhabit most of today's blockbusters, this 1956 piece still focuses on a coherent storyline.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 18, 2020

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

[The finest] of these formula-driven alien invasion movies... and not only because its flying saucers are pretty much the best ever.

Rated: 7/10

May 16, 2013

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Machine gun-happy paranoia to The Day the Earth Stood Still's messianic disarmament

Mar 9, 2010

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Harryhausen effects are first reason to see this sci-fi mini-classic, and it is a fun trip.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 14, 2009

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 16, 2005

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Jack S

Generally well made but hokey sci-fi that's impossible to take seriously since Tim Burton's amusing send-up, Mars Attacks. But the special effects are actually quite good for the era plus, the finale—where Washington DC is devastated (mostly by crashing flying saucers knocked out of the sky by humans, rather than alien attacks!) is really very exciting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

Full Review

Steve

A lot of fun with a literate storyline. Love Harryhausen's saucers.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

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Victor T

I was going to rate this movie even higher, but while watching it, I was abducted.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/07/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I had heard of "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" when I was a kid but I had never seen it. Thanks to the great Svengoolie I was finally able to see it. And......it turned out to be a very good movie. What I liked about it is that it relied more on characters rather than special effects and battle scenes. What I also liked is that the movie avoided another cliché. Specifically the one where the aliens were unstoppable and impervious to Earth weapons like conventional bullets and rockets. It turns out the aliens are not invincible and can be killed. The late Hugh Marlowe and the late Joan Taylor did well in this movie as the husband and wife team who help save humanity. Their dialogue was far from perfect, I will admit some of the early scenes had some cornball dialogue, but the script did get better as the movie progressed. The special effects were impressive and still hold up even by today's standards. A movie with legendary voice actor the late Paul Frees can't be all bad! In the end I found myself enjoying "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" more than I expected. I have seen better science fiction movies and I have seen worse science fiction movies. "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" is worth seeing at least once. You will be entertained. I can say that with all certainty.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

deke p

Great title. Surprisingly good, as the reviews attest. tho still 1956 !!, shlock. good special effects for the time. I should watch the whole thing over again, and pay more attention to parts. saw on TV, SVENGHOOLIE, January 22, 2022,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

bernie h

Another of my favorites and is part of my sci Fi collection, I have many favorites from the 1920s to 2021

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Fred F. Sears

Director

Hugh Marlowe

Dr. Russell A. Marvin

Joan Taylor

Carol Marvin

Donald Curtis

Maj. Huglin

Morris Ankrum

Brig. Gen. Hanley

Thomas Henry

Vice Adm. Enright

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Earth vs. the Flying Saucers: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A space scientist (Hugh Marlowe) figures out how to down a fleet of alien spacecraft looming over Washington, D.C.

Director: Fred F. Sears
Producer: Sam Katzman
Screenwriter: Donald E. Keyhoe, Curt Siodmak, George Worthing Yates, Bernard Gordon
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 23m

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