STRANGE INVADERS
US, 1983, 92 minutes, Colour.
Paul Le Mat, Nancy Allen, Diana Scarwid, Michael Lerner, Louise Fletcher, Wallace Shawn Fiona Lewis, Kenneth Tobey, June Lockhart, Dan Shor.
Directed by Michael Laughlin.
1. Science fiction of the 1980s? The use of the science fiction of the 1950s, homage, satire? Science fiction and alien invasion, occupations? The popularity of the theme, the tradition of these films? Small-budget? Simpler days, serious tones?
2. The production values, Panavision, Illinois and New York, the 1950s and the 1980s? Authentic? The special effects – blend of serious and comic? The spaceships, the powers, falls? The score for this kind of science fiction film?
3. The 1980s, the B-budget science fiction tradition, Centerville, USA, the children, dating, unaware of the spaceship, disappearances? The mood?
4. The introduction of the puzzle, Charlie as professor, entomology, his lectures? His ex-wife? His going to Centerville, concerned, the motel, the puzzle, the destruction of his car, seeing the faces, the aliens? The role of the police? Audience sharing his puzzle?
5. CharIie?, Margaret and their relationship, mother of his daughter? Ex-wife? Her disappearance? The puzzle, the encounter with Mrs Benjamin, the routines, the newspaper and Betty, her scepticism? The dangers, the puzzle, being followed?
6. Mrs Benjamin, her advice, the tests, the department, the prohibition? The dials and the cover? The foiling of the attempt?
7. The popular papers, the sensationalising, the photos? Betty as a character, the treatment of the issue? At home, the alien disguised as the Avon lady, the death of her landlord? In the street, joining Charlie in his pursuit?
8. Willie, the institution, his seemingly mad, his being interned, his story, the flashbacks, the aliens’ visit, the disappearance of his family? The church, the blue halls, the effects? His escape and help?
9. The aliens, Margaret and her powers, her daughter half alien? The types, their cover in the town, the mission? The masks and the heat? The 50s faces? The aliens and their occupying, being body snatchers? The irony of their not developing beyond the 1950s? The re-creation of a 1950s town – the Back to the Future style? Their menace, the plan to return? Their heads, the video message, taking off their masks?
10. The drama, Elizabeth being taken, the pursuit, Margaret, the escape from the ship? Charlie and his daughter?
11. The return of the dead, the effect?
12. The film showing how science fiction changed over the decades? Realism and surrealism? Fantasy? The same kind of film – despite the 80s panache and style?
