Invasion der Raumschiffe

For years I had hoped to run across this film again as I find that certain images of the flying saucers have stuck in my imagination throughout my adult life. Actual recollections of storyline are nil as it seemed to be crude in its storytelling but my impression is that for whatever reason I believe this to be an important film in terms of its longterm effect on the impressionable minds (like mine at the time) who watched it on its release. Robert Vaughn who so memorably appeared in other low budget films (notably Teenage Caveman, a Corman classic), adds to the overall impression that here was something to be enjoyed throughout ones life. Despite its obvious flaws, you should overlook the films limitations and enjoy the fact that here is a film that at its core is about flying saucers. Apart from Forbidden Planet, no other film has remained with me with such a powerful grip on my imagination.

The film studio responsible for the old "OUR GANG" serials cranked out this science fiction film in 1977. The film, STARSHIP INVASIONS drew inspirations off of the wave of space warfare films coming out at that time. The film tells the tale of a ufo menace to earth that is combated by friendly aliens who ask humans for help. A fun point in the plot is the ERIC VON DRAKEN plot point involving hidden ufo bases and ancient astronauts. I don't believe this in real life it was as I said fun. The film was a good family movie and a great "pop corn and coke" film. The special effects at times were creative and others dreadful yet the film is worth viewing. I if you are into UFO lore you will like this film. The film plays like a modren incarnation of a old BUSTER CRABBE serial.

I saw this film once on afternoon television in the late 70's . I've never seen it screened, rented or sold since. It seems to have sank into obscurity. I remember being disturbed in parts, so as bad as it may be, it could be provocative for ten year old latch key children, home alone in the late 70's. One interesting thing to note, reading the plot summary offered at IMDb, I've seen some of the same elements in UFO abduction lore & accounts. There are some who believe that there has been an extraterrestrial culture occupying the bowels of the Earth for some time, a federation of races I believe, that use this symbol of the winged serpent as their identifying mark. Some believe that this federation ultimately does want control of the Earth and humanity, and will reveal themselves following some type of cosmic or nuclear calamity on the Earth. Also, the ability to exert remote and irresistible control of the human brain through superior technology is a theme I've read frequently in reports, as well as this film's attention to the commonly reported telepathic ability of the ET's. I mention this because it seems like most cinema avoids some of the more fantastic elements of abduction accounts, and concentrates on other elements to the point of cliché. X-files hit on a lot of themes one can find in the reports, to be sure. I'd like to see this movie again, for nostalgia's sake. Sadly this isn't the UFO lore Epic I want. I'd like to see some talented writer/director do for modern abduction accounts what Spielberg did in Close Encounters with Project Bluebook reports. Some of the stuff they predict/report is genuinely terrifying, like, the apocalypse of mankind. The stakes don't get any higher. Perfect for Hollywood. A rich vein for creative exploration and sadly this little low budget film is about as close as it gets at the moment.

While there's no denying the poor production value and cheap special effects (this is a B movie, after all); I feel the story behind this movie has some value. The motivation of the bad guys is well established. They are not simply evil, but are in a bit of a tight spot themselves. Also, the primary method they use to achieve their goal (a suicide ray) is rather chilling. The use of telepathic communication between the aliens was a nice touch. The cheesiness of this film can easily be embraced as enjoyable camp. It's not a great film, but I think you'll find that it sticks with you after you watch it. The story is fairly rich, with lots of details and connections filled in along the way. It truly has some meat to it. I first saw it as a kid while growing up. Now, over 25 years later, I finally tracked it down and watched it again. I'm still charmed by it.

Gave this film a watch considering I do enjoy Christopher Lee and Robert Vaughn and alien invasions! Well, this one was not too good as this thing came out the same year as Star Wars and while Star Wars still looks good to this day, the effects in this one are dated. I do not mean they look dated by today's standards, I mean they look quite dated for the year it was released as I have seen 50's alien films with better looking alien spaceships than the ones presented here which look like those dinner trays that have the lid over them at hotels when you order room service. Still though, I like the idea of a pleasure room...

The story starts out as a farmer is abducted by aliens and instead of getting probed, he gets presented with a beautiful alien woman he apparently makes love to (thankfully they omitted this part, I mean she was an attractive lady, but they guy not so much). Well a family is abducted and all of this is being done because the aliens are about to lose their planet so they want to take over ours. Sounds okay, until the invaders go to this underwater pyramid where there are more aliens from countless planets and they would not allow this attack. This makes the whole 'our planet is dying' thing not work, as the aliens in this pyramid are very helpful and would probably help the one's whose planet is about to explode due to a star going nova so there should be no need for them to annihilate the inhabitants on Earth by making them commit suicide. I mean, these people have a pleasure room, so you know they are cool! Oh, and Robert Vaughn is sort doing stuff too...

I am kind of baffled that Robert Vaughn got top billing in this film instead of Lee as Lee is in this thing a lot more and does more than Vaughn. I am still unsure why the cool aliens felt they needed his and a guy who look like Norm from Cheers help. They have been on Earth observing for a while, and have flown in space...what the hell can Robert Vaughn's character know about planets that they don't?

So, the film is kind of ruined by the whole good aliens because, once again, they are willing to help Earth so I am sure they would help the doomed planet too. Robert Vaughn's character almost seems pointless and tacked on to give this thing more run time rather than add anything interesting to the plot and I think the film could have been a bit more adult oriented and it would have been a more enjoyable watch. I mean, who wouldn't mind seeing more pleasure room!?!