UFO Syndrome

I've seen a lot of these (ahem) "documentaries" over the years, but it's been a long time so I figured, time for another dose of lunacy.

This is not a speculation on the yes or no of flying saucers. They done made up their minds, y'all, and a bigger collection of nutjobs you will never see.

Maybe my favorite: an old feller ("Doctor" somebody) sitting behind a desk, hair neatly combed, wearing a suit, just as if he was sane and reasonable. He describes the "flying saucer" he had seen, "a scout vessel" he tells us. And Jesus was there ("he was wearing a white robe...purple belt with jewels in it") and was beamed up in a green ray into the thingy. This flying saucer then joins up with two others, no doubt one carrying the Father and the other with the Holy Ghost aboard, and they flew off. This clown was not the exception amongst this "documentary's" attestants. They all nuts, boyos, they all way way outta their freakin' minds. Not just a lousy movie, this is a timeless testimony to utter lunacy.

The movie contains a good general overview of the subject in terms of sightings, cases, historical timelines, etc. Several personalities in the UFO community of the time make appearances; some, shall we say, more colorful than others. Various theories on UFO propulsion are forwarded. A segment on how planetary motion could be copied and modified to make a space vehicle which would act as a "freely navigating planet" is of particular interest (arguably, the best part of the movie). Also presented are special techniques for photographing UFOs, as well as alternative theories as to their origin and nature, i.e., flying critters in the atmosphere, as opposed to spacecraft. Go figure.

It is worth mentioning here that much of the footage from this movie is re-used from an earlier documentary from the same producers, called "UFO Journals", which, while good, seems less cohesively structured than the latter one, almost like a feature-length screen test. Both are worthwhile, but this one, in my estimation, is the better bet.

Okay but wildly uneven look at UFO's made by a veteran film producer/director who often made exploitation films. This is a film to watch with a grain f salt and a certain amount of patience since its an odd mix of credible interviewees and some less than credible souls. Everyone is given equal weight with the effect that its not always easy to know who you can trust. As an entertainment film this is a bit rough a round the edges with much of the footage of the point and shoot variety. Yes its people being interviewed and being talking heads but at the same time it gets rather dull. Worst of all is the heavy use not only of stock footage of space ships which are shown repeatedly. It becomes dull really fast. Likewise is the repeated use of UFO footage and photographs some of which are shown so often as to be burned into your retina. Do I believe it? Some of it more than others. Do I think you should see it? If you're a bit forgiving and interested in how the subject used to be covered its worth a look. Anyone else its a coin toss.