Daleks il futuro tra un milione di anni

I sat through, and was utterly bored by, the first of the Peter Cushing/Dr Who movies, DR WHO AND THE DALEKS. It was a chore to sit through in places, a resolutely twee attempt to transfer the TV series to the big screen for children to enjoy. The good news is that this sequel is a different beast entirely, even though it brings back much of the same cast and crew (including the director).

Put simply, DALEKS INVASION EARTH: 2150 AD is an action-packed romp. If you think that scenes of Dalek war-bands patrolling the streets of a post-apocalyptic London sounds like a good time, then you'd be right. This is a film that sacrifices character set-up in favour of all out action, and it works a treat.

Cushing plays the crusty old buffoon once more, and the only reason he's not as irritating is because he's given far less screen time here. For most of the time his character is a mere observer, watching a guerrilla war between Ray Brooks (THE FLESH AND BLOOD SHOW) and his rebels and the Daleks and their goons. Bernard Cribbins contributes some comedy schtick, but he's nowhere near as irritating as Roy Castle was in the last one.

The technical effects are surprisingly decent, from the Dalek spaceships to the explosions, firefights, and large-scale destruction. Scenes of buildings collapsing are vivid and exciting and the Daleks are more of a menace here (and thankfully their voices aren't irritating anymore). There are lots of great visual moments, like the solitary Dalek rising out of the Thames or the humans vs. Dalek fight scenes. A rousing score and decent supporting cast serve as the icing on the cake here.

Hurrah. Here come the daleks. Again.

But don't be scared. They're in fine fettle this time and while this film is just as daft as its predecessor it's far better-paced and the good guys don't have stupid eye make-up, instead resembling good old London Council Workers, circa 1955. It's a slight anachronism, but I like the idea of a sci-fi setting where the heroes are all unshaven working class 'Uncle Fred, Friend of Your Dad' types who wear jackets and caps that make them look like bin men. I suppose actually, given that the Daleks do resemble (and are referred to as) motorised dustbins, there's probably some poetry in this. Anyway, forget the title, this might as well be set in 1950 AD - it certainly feels a bit Ealing at times.

So, how is this rather entertaining nonsense an improvement on the cinematic war-crime that was the first film? Well, just that, it's entertaining. The Daleks are still quite funky, despite their ongoing choice of fire-extinguisher weaponry. They're also much more enthusiastic these days - we even see one going for a swim at one point (I can't think of a better explanation! You'll see what I mean...).

Anyway - the plot? Well, I suspect the title might give it away. In fact, I'm not sure it even IS the title. Maybe they just wrote the plot-summary in the wrong box. Whatever, I don't feel I'll be spoiling anything if I give you the following outline: Daleks have invaded Earth because they felt like it, and are now constructing a large Roller Disco/Cinema Multiplex/Dodgem park in Bedfordshire.

Okay, they're not, but it's entirely as likely and sensible as what they ARE doing there (or as the swimming Dalek). There are some great British actors having fun in this - Philip Madoc from Wales, Andrew Keir from Scotland, Peter Cushing from England. A truly unified effort - all silly together.

People who smashed their television set in an effort to survive the first film will be pleased to see that Roy Castle is not reprising his role as Ian (for those who didn't see it, I rather suspect George Lucas got his idea for Jar Jar Binks from Castle's performance), and has been replaced in the light relief stakes by the altogether defter and more endearing Bernard Cribbins (for non-British readers, Cribbins is one of the most highly regarded and acclaimed English actors of the last forty years, and his profound performance in The Wombles is still remembered by many people of my generation today).

For that matter, even Peter Cushing's mad professor is rather good this time round, and provided one doesn't expect more than robot monsters, rubbish flying saucers, and huge armies of (toy miniature) Daleks, not to mention quite a few laughs, then this will pass 80-odd minutes in quite an agreeable manner. Not as effectively as becoming an alcoholic, but more so than banging your head against concrete. I suppose this is the bottom line really - watch this film too many times and it remains preferable to headbutting a concrete wall, which is painful. Watch the first film too many times and you'll find the experience of headbutting a wall strangely comfy on account of all the padding it will have acquired.

If I'd seen this film for the first time now, having seen most of the TV series that inspired it, I'm not sure I'd be fantastically keen on it. But I'd like to think that I'd still enjoy it for it's superficial scariness and complete indifference towards any aspect of a plot that might get in the way of the oh-so-colourful set-pieces.

I remember first seeing this film one Saturday morning, after all of the other childrens' programmes had finished and in retrospect, that's probably when it works best - the music's loud and harsh enough to wake you up, but the story's not too taxing if you're not completely with it yet.

Fantastic stuff, if you're prepared to leave your brain at home for 90 minutes.

I first saw this movie as a kid back in the 70's.It was screened as a saturday morning feature during the easter holidays.In those days it was the only 'repeat' you were likely to get.I can never understand the general disdain shown to it by Dr Who fans.The production values are high and there's plenty to keep you entertained.I think fans are critical of it because of its comical element.Yes it's cheap,ham-acted at times and the special effects not-very-special,but so was the tv series.I love this movie because of,not despite,its cheesiness.

Daleks-Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. is directed by Gordon Flemyng and Milton Subotsky co-adapts the screenplay with Terry Nation and David Whitaker. It stars Peter Cushing, Bernard Cribbins, Ray Brooks, Andrew Keir, Jill Curzon and Roberta Tovey. A Technicolor/Techniscope production, with music by Barry Gray and Bill McGuffie and cinematography by John Wilcox.

A sequel to Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965), plot finds Cushing once again playing the Doctor, who after getting transported to 2150 A.D. finds London ravaged by the Daleks. The Daleks are turning humans into slave Robomen, but an underground human resistance offers hope. Can the Doctor and his companions aid the resistance and save Earth from Dalek damnation? Even though Dr. Who and the Daleks irked the Dr. Who fan base, understandably so since Amicus' version of the good Doctor is some way from the TV series version, it was enough of a success to warrant this sequel. You pretty much get a retread of the first film with the characterisations, Cushing's Doctor is a lovable old eccentric prof, two of his lady female relations are along for the ride (Tovey returning as the same character) and Cribbins has replaced Roy Castle as the light relief companion accidentally thrust into a chaotic world. The Daleks remain a unique and devilish foe, their voices unnerving and their colours vibrant in Technicolor.

Plot follows a familiar trajectory, much running, puffing, capture and escape histrionics, the good versus evil core booming throughout. The sets remain cheap, the effects basic but quaint, and the acting just about passes the test because everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and therefore performing it to the required standard. The music score is truly out of sync with the picture, at times it sounds like it belongs in a Carry On movie, at others an episode of The Avengers; in fact John Steed would have been a good addition to the plotting! But there is some darkness in the story, making it more potent than its prequel.

This wasn't as successful as the studio hoped, so a third film was shelved. If you aren't a hardcore Dr. Who fan and you can accept it on its own daft and fun terms? Then Daleks-Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. is an enjoyable enough time filler. 6/10