INSEMINOID

UK, 1980, 92 minutes, Colour.
Judy Geeson, Robin Clarke, Jennifer Ashley, Stephanie Beecham, Victoria Tennant, Steven Grives.
Directed by Norman J. Warren.

Inseminoid is British science fiction horror. It is clearly in the trend started by Alien - space is hostile, full of aliens who take over human beings and bring them to destruction. There are echoes of Forbidden Planet and '80s films like Galaxy of Terror, Saturn 3. There is also an indication of influence by such films as Rosemary's Baby. The sets and decor are quite elaborate for this kind of film and there is a young British cast. Judy Geeson has to carry the screenplay of madness and violence. Special effects are very good - and particularly gory as the film proceeds.

1. Entertainment of science fiction and horror? The appeal to the audience for nightmare, fright, suspense? What if...? The conventions of the genre? The developments in the late '70s? This kind of film as derivative rather than original?

2. Production values: Panavision and colour photography, elaborate sets and technology decor, costumes? Special effects and stunts? Violence and gore?

3. The title and the focus on an alien, on impregnation? The design during the credits. The interrelationship of humans and aliens? Aliens taking over? Conception? The strange creatures that will take over the earth?

4. Space as alien? The mysteries of outer space? The purpose of the archeological expedition to investigate the past? A future where strange creatures destroy humanity? The powers and energy in space? Hostility? Use of humans and control of them?

5. The attention to detail for the mission, archeological investigation, the discovery of the crystals and the explosion? Technology and communications? The background of the mission with the introductory interviews? The end of the film with the rescue team? The irony of the rescue team taking the aliens back to earth?

6. The portrait of the group: young, men and women? Their interaction? Shared enterprise? Holly as leader? The bonds between the group turning to hostility and alienation?

7. The initial experience of the crystals, the explosion? The taking over of the humans? The physical repercussions and breakout? Psychological possession? Humans as tools of destruction?

8. The echoes of The Old Dark House, Lost Patrol, Agatha Christle thrillers with the diminishing cast? The suspense as to who would be next? The way of killing? Why do such films continually generate suspense?

9. The film's emphasis on the gory deaths? The horror detail?

10. The character of Sandy - Judy Geeson's presence and performance? Her place within the group? Liaison with Mark? The experience of Mitch's death? Her being overpowered? Her nightmares of monstrous impregnation? Her going berserk? Her devious murders? Strength from cannibalism? Her giving birth to the monstrous creatures? Her being killed? The creatures and their impact, killing Sharon and Mark? Going back to earth? Sandy as the symbolic human victim?

11. The range of characters in the group and their types? How much character delineation? Holly and her command, Kate and her interviews, Sharon, Barbara and Gail? Dean and Ricky and their early deaths? Mitch and his being killed? Carl as doctor, trying to contribute to health? Gary and Mark? Mark as hero - relationship with Sandy? Trying to keep some kind of control of the group? Being killed by the monsters? The group reacting in terror, banding together, manoeuvring to save themselves?

12. This kind of science fiction as a fable to interpret space investigation and the lurking fears of what might happen?