Mysteries from Beyond Earth

Most people today are familiar with History Channel's "Ancient Aliens" series and other assorted pseudo-history programming; however, this sort of thing has been around for a long time.

This particular example of woowoo dates from 1975, and it certainly won't disappoint. It has UFO's, ancient astronauts and the Bermuda Triangle. I recommend it, not for it's insightful themes, or revelations of hitherto unknown knowledge, but rather as something of a guilty pleasure. If you've seen "Chariots of the Gods" and other assorted TV programs, or if you're curious as to where TV programs such as the aforementioned "Ancient Aliens" got their start, hopefully you'll find this particular example of such things entertaining.

1st watched 11/21/2002 - 4 out of 10(Dir-George Gale): Overly topic-filled documentary primarily about un-explained phenomenons like UFO's and the paranormal. At times this was interesting to watch, but by the end of the movie you were so filled with so many different topics that seemed to be cramed into the film that it didn't have a major effect in any area. The most covered topic of UFO's was the most well done and if they would have stuck to that it would have made a much less information-filled 95 minutes and would have allowed more thought and focus on the subject. There were many of these films that came out in the 70's and I have to admit this is one of the better ones despite it's imperfections. It at least tried to give you the facts without glamorizing everything which is typically done in this variety.

This is the latest instalment in my (n)ever popular viewing quest sub-series - documentaries full of complete rubbish. In this entry we learn about UFOs and alien abductions. Did aliens build the pyramids and Stonehenge? What's the Bermuda Triangle all about? (the phenomena, not the boardgame) Who is Yuri Geller and why? We look at the work of psychic surgeons and investigators. There's ghosts and witches! And how about considering the Hollow Earth Theory and how that explains mammoths? Further important questions are discussed such as 'are plants sentient?' and 'is Bigfoot an alien?' All of the above, and more, are brought to you via first-hand evidence of fantasists and the mentally deranged.

You will learn nothing useful in this documentary but that doesn't mean its not worth watching.

Once upon a time, my sister used to work at a mom and pop video rental store (remember those? LOL) and every so often, she'd bring home some old tapes that the store no longer wished to carry. One of these tapes was a little documentary, maybe made for television, called "Mysteries From Beyond Earth". Having always had an interest in the unknown, I took a look at it and since then, it has become one of my favorite productions on the subject of strange. Hosted by Lawrence Dobkin, this lovely documentary gives you a basic look at such subjects like UFOs, Bigfoot, psychic energy, ghosts, ancient aliens, black holes, lost civilizations, even the morals of cloning before it was scientifically possible. Through interviews, you will meet the people who have experienced such things as alien abduction, hauntings, UFO encounters, and even a woman who claims to be a witch. While the movie might be a little dated, it is no less interesting, especially for those who wonder whether or not aliens have visited this planet or whether ghosts and physic energies are real. After all, although its been over thirty years since this movie was made, people are still encountering things that cannot be explained. So, if you're one of those folks who has a passion for the unknown and you like to see old, vintage docs on the subject, check this out. I believe it may even be on you tube.

.These Low-Budget Compilations were Everywhere in the 70's. Probably Inspired by Erik von Daniken's Mega-Success with His Book and Follow-Up Documentary (1970) "Chariots of the Gods" (nominated for an Oscar).

Mostly the Format Contained a Semi-Recognizable Host Like...Leonard Nimoy...Rod Serling...etc.

Standing Up In-Front of Archival and Public Domain Footage of "Weird", "Unknowns", "Mysteries", "Myths", "Paranormal", "Crypto..." Facts, Speculations, and Musings on Things that Academia Avoids at All Costs.

As Carl Sagan Said About UFO's in the 70's...

"There isn't a scintilla of evidence that we have been visited by Extraterrestrials."

Despite Sagan and His Colleagues echoing that Hubristic Declaration, the Citizenry was Not so Easily Persuaded. A Huge "Cottage" Industry Formed with Books, Documentaries, TV-Shows, and the Kitchen-Sink Proliferated Pop-Culture that Still is Remanent Today.

This One is a Smorgasbord of Topics...Well Handled and Presented by Host Lawrence Dobkin with Interviews and Statements from Scientists, Educators, and Experiencers.

The Documentary Covers UFOs, The Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, Ghosts, Kirlian Photography, Abductions, The Church of Satan, Witches, Atlantis, Ancient Megaliths, ESP, and more.

You Couldn't even Avoid the Phenom at the Grocery Store...Time/Life Got in on the Boom with Sets of "Encyclopedias".

The Movie has the Charm of Variety and the 95 min. Print Currently on YouTube is Excellent, and the Production Value is as Good as These Things Get.

For those with the Slightest Interest in the Paranormal and Earth Mysteries, this is Certainly...

Worth a Watch.