I'm always amazed at how emotion some people get. This movie (which few if any people have heard of) is a neat little slice of life thing. Once again Patricia Neal is paired up with an alien who looks more Aryan than Venutian. Once again, he holds the power to do great harm to the earth unless the military posturing stops. I guess this town is too big for the both of them. This is a gently done offering with few sparks or special effects. The point is that despite all he proves to them and the kindness of his actions, the people decide he needs to be destroyed. I don't put it quite in the same cinematic league with "Citizen Kane" and "Lawrence of Arabia" but it's no worse than hundreds of other films of the early 1950's. For those that consider it boring, I never lost interest in some rather neat characters who interact throughout. Please relax.
43 Reviews
Imagine Day the Earth Stood Still without the SFX
Vigilante-40725 January 2001
Stranger From Venus is a nice little film, but really has not much to recommend it. Obviously it is adapted/stolen from the Robert Wise classic, The Day The Earth Stood Still and even has Patricia Neal as well as the female star. But even for a fifties science fiction film, there is a serious lack of special effects...especially in comparison with the other movie. The few shots of the Venusian spacecrafts look to be very childishly done and do not mesh well at all with the other footage.
This film is one of the precursors of the wave of excellent British science fiction that was heralded in by Terrence Fisher, Val Guest and the rise of Hammer Films. The script for Stranger From Venus does have some of eloquence of the films to come, but the ideas just don't gel properly.
This film is one of the precursors of the wave of excellent British science fiction that was heralded in by Terrence Fisher, Val Guest and the rise of Hammer Films. The script for Stranger From Venus does have some of eloquence of the films to come, but the ideas just don't gel properly.
Obscure, little-known film is a huge misfire...
AlsExGal22 March 2019
...as the British attempt to duplicate The Day The Earth Stood Still.
Patricia Neal plays the lead, but mostly appears as window-dressing. The alien looks like Helmut Dantine. In fact, he is Helmut Dantine. For the first fifteen minutes, we only get to see the back of his head. Unfortunately, at some point he turns around. He wears the same expression on his face throughout the entire film. I couldn't tell if it was boredom or disdain, both of which I felt watching his performance. It's hard to believe that men from Venus speak with Austrian accents - then again, it was hard to believe Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Hercules.
Dantine lands in the British countryside, although we don't get to see his ship. Neal has an accident and he miraculously heals her. He also heals a guy with a limp. Dantine strolls into the first bar/inn he sees and orders something to drink. We discover he does not like beer, but he loves water. He wears what look like jogging pants and some kind of pullover jacket. Fortunately, he is not wearing a spacesuit. I shudder to think of Helmut in a helmet.
Dantine is here to confer with our world leaders about, you guessed it, atomic energy. Of course, that's why he picked a farmhouse in which to stay. Meanwhile, two more ships are on the way to pick him up.
Neal's fiance, played by Derek Bond, is a bit of a pain, kind of like the Hugh Marlowe character in Day, just not as good-looking and not as obnoxious. The rest of the cast just go through the motions. Look for Nigel Green in one of his earliest screen roles.
Patricia Neal plays the lead, but mostly appears as window-dressing. The alien looks like Helmut Dantine. In fact, he is Helmut Dantine. For the first fifteen minutes, we only get to see the back of his head. Unfortunately, at some point he turns around. He wears the same expression on his face throughout the entire film. I couldn't tell if it was boredom or disdain, both of which I felt watching his performance. It's hard to believe that men from Venus speak with Austrian accents - then again, it was hard to believe Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Hercules.
Dantine lands in the British countryside, although we don't get to see his ship. Neal has an accident and he miraculously heals her. He also heals a guy with a limp. Dantine strolls into the first bar/inn he sees and orders something to drink. We discover he does not like beer, but he loves water. He wears what look like jogging pants and some kind of pullover jacket. Fortunately, he is not wearing a spacesuit. I shudder to think of Helmut in a helmet.
Dantine is here to confer with our world leaders about, you guessed it, atomic energy. Of course, that's why he picked a farmhouse in which to stay. Meanwhile, two more ships are on the way to pick him up.
Neal's fiance, played by Derek Bond, is a bit of a pain, kind of like the Hugh Marlowe character in Day, just not as good-looking and not as obnoxious. The rest of the cast just go through the motions. Look for Nigel Green in one of his earliest screen roles.
"This Is No Ordinary Man!"... "He Makes You Feel Like A Moron, But I Like Him!"...
azathothpwiggins26 May 2019
An alien craft is spotted, barnstorming the countryside. While traveling home, Susan North (Patricia Neal) encounters a strange phenomenon. Soon, a mysterious man (Helmut Dantine) shows up at a rural pub, seeming to have odd ideas and prescient knowledge, some of which is about Susan, who has gone missing.
He also has no pulse!
When the authorities attempt to make him talk, they find it... difficult. Things only get weirder when Susan reappears. Of course, the government / military gets involved, and nearly makes a pig's breakfast of it all.
STRANGER FROM VENUS, like its -very similarly themed- cousin, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, is a more cerebral bit of cautionary sci-fi. No laser battles, monsters, or spaceship chases here. Dantine downplays his role, making the "miracles" he performs, and the words he speaks seem all the more believable. Ms. Neal is just as good in this as in that other, better-known film. Due to its budgetary constraints, most scenes are rather small in scope, making the dialogue quite important. This movie delivers excellent discourse and actually makes one think. Imagine that...
He also has no pulse!
When the authorities attempt to make him talk, they find it... difficult. Things only get weirder when Susan reappears. Of course, the government / military gets involved, and nearly makes a pig's breakfast of it all.
STRANGER FROM VENUS, like its -very similarly themed- cousin, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, is a more cerebral bit of cautionary sci-fi. No laser battles, monsters, or spaceship chases here. Dantine downplays his role, making the "miracles" he performs, and the words he speaks seem all the more believable. Ms. Neal is just as good in this as in that other, better-known film. Due to its budgetary constraints, most scenes are rather small in scope, making the dialogue quite important. This movie delivers excellent discourse and actually makes one think. Imagine that...
Men Are from Venus...
richardchatten15 August 2020
Patricia Neal had recently turned her back on Hollywood for the New York stage and married Roald Dahl (with whom she settled in Buckinghamshire to raise a family) when she was offered this cheap, cheeky and stultifyingly humourless British rehash of 'The Day the Earth Stood'.
Helmut Dantine - like Michael Rennie in the original - performs Christ-like miracles like healing the sick and speaking in tongues; but like this film lacks a pulse. Instead of Bernard Herrmann's eerie theremin we occasionally get twee musical contributions from Eric Spear (later immortalised by the theme for 'Coronation Street'). The agreeable Hertfordshire exteriors compensate for director Burt Balaban's stilted interiors, and since it's only 76 minutes long you keep watching.
Helmut Dantine - like Michael Rennie in the original - performs Christ-like miracles like healing the sick and speaking in tongues; but like this film lacks a pulse. Instead of Bernard Herrmann's eerie theremin we occasionally get twee musical contributions from Eric Spear (later immortalised by the theme for 'Coronation Street'). The agreeable Hertfordshire exteriors compensate for director Burt Balaban's stilted interiors, and since it's only 76 minutes long you keep watching.
An obvious knockoff of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, though it's a good film nevertheless
planktonrules11 March 2009
It's obvious that the people making this film were trying to do a remake of the classic sci-fi film THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL only three years later. Not only is the plot very similar but it also stars Patricia Neal--the same lady who starred in the original film! Like THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, this film is about an alien coming to our planet to deliver an ultimatum concerning our ill-advised use of nuclear weapons. Oddly, however, he lands in the middle of no where in England--probably because it's obviously they have no budget and couldn't set the film in London or any other big city. You hear about the military, but you only see a few assorted guys in rather generic uniforms with no fancy equipment.
Despite the many limitations due to budget, however, the film is still very entertaining--even if you've seen the superior prior film. I think part of it is because the alien, played by Helmut Dantine, seemed a lot more like an alien than Michael Rennie from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. This isn't saying Rennie was bad--just that Dantine offered a unique interpretation. The other thing I liked is that instead of the humans attacking by mistake, in this film the leaders from the UK are real jerks. Despite the Venusians coming with openness and peace, the officials responded with lies and a foolish attempt to steal their space ship!! As a result, this film takes an even more cynical view of human nature. In the original, humans were scared and a bit dumb. Here, they're just jerks! The final thing I loved about the film is that they didn't try too hard with the special effects. Other than a model of a space ship, the film has no bug-eyed alien or silly ray gun--just a dandy story.
So, despite being extremely derivative, the film still is entertaining thanks to good acting and a few interesting twists.
By the way, in a silly little scene, one "expert" said that Venus is "many light-years away from the Earth". No, dude, it isn't. A single light year is about 6 trillion miles. Venus is actually about 25 million miles. So, a light year is 240,000 times greater than the distance to Venus AND they said "many light-years"! I am surprised the writers didn't notice this discrepancy. Wow. I now feel like Mr. Wizard!
Despite the many limitations due to budget, however, the film is still very entertaining--even if you've seen the superior prior film. I think part of it is because the alien, played by Helmut Dantine, seemed a lot more like an alien than Michael Rennie from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. This isn't saying Rennie was bad--just that Dantine offered a unique interpretation. The other thing I liked is that instead of the humans attacking by mistake, in this film the leaders from the UK are real jerks. Despite the Venusians coming with openness and peace, the officials responded with lies and a foolish attempt to steal their space ship!! As a result, this film takes an even more cynical view of human nature. In the original, humans were scared and a bit dumb. Here, they're just jerks! The final thing I loved about the film is that they didn't try too hard with the special effects. Other than a model of a space ship, the film has no bug-eyed alien or silly ray gun--just a dandy story.
So, despite being extremely derivative, the film still is entertaining thanks to good acting and a few interesting twists.
By the way, in a silly little scene, one "expert" said that Venus is "many light-years away from the Earth". No, dude, it isn't. A single light year is about 6 trillion miles. Venus is actually about 25 million miles. So, a light year is 240,000 times greater than the distance to Venus AND they said "many light-years"! I am surprised the writers didn't notice this discrepancy. Wow. I now feel like Mr. Wizard!
"Devil Girl From Mars" Never Looked So Good
ferbs543 September 2009
Which B&W sci-fi film of the 1950s features an alien from outer space who comes to Earth to warn mankind of its warmongering ways and becomes involved with a character portrayed by Patricia Neal? Now, before you smugly respond "The Day the Earth Stood Still," the Hollywood sci-fi classic of 1951, let me add that the film in question is a British production and was made in 1954. That film is "Stranger From Venus," a very subpar knockoff of a great classic, and, what's more, even inferior to another British copy of "TDTESS" that also came out in 1954, the camp classic "Devil Girl From Mars." In "Stranger," the alien from Venus (which is said to be "millions of light-years" away from Earth...patent BS!) is played by Austrian actor Helmut Dantine, who gives a very UNsympathetic performance. The "action," for the most part, is confined to a drab-looking inn somewhere in the English countryside, and the movie is very static and never seems to move at all. Whereas "DGFM" features a Martian dominatrix, a ridiculous-looking and lumbering robot, and a very impressive space explosion to cap things off, "SFV" features virtually no FX at all and little in the way of suspense. The only real "effect" to speak of is a "mother ship" disgorging a space flier, accomplished with what looks like a lamp hood and a wooden disc. I am not hyperbolizing when I say that the FX in Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space" come off looking like those in "The Matrix" by comparison. Furthermore, director Burt Balaban's work is extremely lackadaisical here, and composer Eric Spear contributes a sappy score that is repeated to distraction. Though competently acted, and presented here in a nice, crisp-looking DVD, this film really is for 1950s sci-fi completists only, and even they will be bored and restless. Anyone out there know how to say "snoozer" in Venusian?
Stranger From Venus - better than you would think
jackferwerda-11 September 2020
When first considering to watch this film I expected it to be very bad. The title seemed cheesy, it was made 40 years ago. Also I had viewed other online reviews and on average it didnt seem favorable.
This being said I am a fan of older sci fi and horror films. I found the acting, rather subtle compared to the cheesy performances I was imagining. I found that the film displayed the best traits of the 40 year old sci fi movies I had seen in the past. Such traits like the fun playful whimsy while still gladly lacking exaggerated attempts to shock or scare unnecessarily. The thing I like about these old movies is that they are fun, light and at the best of time thoughtful without being preachy.
I would agree that this film may lose points for lack of originality in parts. This being said the critics scored this film a lot poorer than it deserved. Part of the problem is that we just dont have a large number of people who have seen the film to give an accurate depiction of what the average person who likes old movies would feel about it.
I must finally say that it is not an all time classic must see film. This being said, if you like older sci fi and are looking for some light fun with the subject matter, "stranger from venus" is a decent watch for you. I feel it deserves at least 7 stars and I found it a relaxing and enjoyable sci fi story.
This being said I am a fan of older sci fi and horror films. I found the acting, rather subtle compared to the cheesy performances I was imagining. I found that the film displayed the best traits of the 40 year old sci fi movies I had seen in the past. Such traits like the fun playful whimsy while still gladly lacking exaggerated attempts to shock or scare unnecessarily. The thing I like about these old movies is that they are fun, light and at the best of time thoughtful without being preachy.
I would agree that this film may lose points for lack of originality in parts. This being said the critics scored this film a lot poorer than it deserved. Part of the problem is that we just dont have a large number of people who have seen the film to give an accurate depiction of what the average person who likes old movies would feel about it.
I must finally say that it is not an all time classic must see film. This being said, if you like older sci fi and are looking for some light fun with the subject matter, "stranger from venus" is a decent watch for you. I feel it deserves at least 7 stars and I found it a relaxing and enjoyable sci fi story.
It appears that men are from Venus.
rupertcook2 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Aliens seem to have two things in mind when they drop in on planet Earth, subjugating the natives or enlightening them. In this dull tale its the latter.
Every expense is spared so don't expect eight-tentacled, six-eyed, poison-spewing monsters. What you get instead is a human-shaped man who is shot from behind for the first ten minutes of the film in a desperate attempt to generate a little suspense. From behind he resembles one of Kraftwerk. Obviously he has no shocking features otherwise those who see him face on would have emitted screams or fainted.
The story plods on taking in a hint of inter-species relations, miracle healing and betrayal until it reaches a "dramatic" finale with an appearance of an alien spaceship borrowing its design from a dinner plate.
Every expense is spared so don't expect eight-tentacled, six-eyed, poison-spewing monsters. What you get instead is a human-shaped man who is shot from behind for the first ten minutes of the film in a desperate attempt to generate a little suspense. From behind he resembles one of Kraftwerk. Obviously he has no shocking features otherwise those who see him face on would have emitted screams or fainted.
The story plods on taking in a hint of inter-species relations, miracle healing and betrayal until it reaches a "dramatic" finale with an appearance of an alien spaceship borrowing its design from a dinner plate.
Not a knockoff!
janeadams-6699119 December 2021
I found this slightly creaky old film engaging throughout. I really enjoyed the kind and gentle stranger and the genuine un-hysterical fascination for him by the locals. You must remember that this was set just after WWII when people in the British Isles were traumatised but jaded by all the things they had seen and been through.
I'm a huge fan of the brilliant 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' but I found a lot to like about this 'Alien-warning' short. No time is wasted and the story flows well to its tragic conclusion: Mankind can't be trusted to do the right thing!
I'm a huge fan of the brilliant 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' but I found a lot to like about this 'Alien-warning' short. No time is wasted and the story flows well to its tragic conclusion: Mankind can't be trusted to do the right thing!
Cheap Knockoff of the Day the Earth Stood Still
JoeB1316 January 2007
Well, imagine if "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was made with no special effects, no Gort, bad sound, and lots of actors with weird accents, and you'd have "Stranger from Venus".
Yes, borrowing the leading lady (who looks like she's phoning it in) and the basics of the plot (benign Christ-like alien comes to Earth and tells human race to knock it off) from the American version, this film blunders on for an hour and a half or so with no point, really.
I'm not sure what inspired the producers to make this film. It wasn't like all copies of "Earth" had vanished or something. I am less sure why Patricia Neal decided to lend her talents to this, unless someone just promised her a vacation in the British countryside.
Keep in mind, this was the 1950's, where people really believed benign aliens were visiting Earth with messages of peace, an offshoot of our own fears of nuclear war, and Charlatons like George Adamski made a lot of money doing it. So I guess people thought there was a market for this sort of thing.
Interesting to watch for buffs of 1950's Science Fiction, not much else to recommend it.
Yes, borrowing the leading lady (who looks like she's phoning it in) and the basics of the plot (benign Christ-like alien comes to Earth and tells human race to knock it off) from the American version, this film blunders on for an hour and a half or so with no point, really.
I'm not sure what inspired the producers to make this film. It wasn't like all copies of "Earth" had vanished or something. I am less sure why Patricia Neal decided to lend her talents to this, unless someone just promised her a vacation in the British countryside.
Keep in mind, this was the 1950's, where people really believed benign aliens were visiting Earth with messages of peace, an offshoot of our own fears of nuclear war, and Charlatons like George Adamski made a lot of money doing it. So I guess people thought there was a market for this sort of thing.
Interesting to watch for buffs of 1950's Science Fiction, not much else to recommend it.
A Fascinating Cerebral Version of Another Sci Fi Classic
tabuno18 January 2019
20 January 2012. This movie is amazingly hard to rate because while it is hokey on one level, it is also surprisingly subtle and sophisticated on another level. Like "Forbidden Planet" (1956) which is considered among the best 1950s sci fi movies, "Stranger from Venus" has the period staged acting of its time, yet in some ways "Stranger" is even more adept at avoiding the most overly stylized acting than "Forbidden Planet." And instead of the popularized, highly action-oriented, thriller sci fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) from which strong parallels were apparently taken to make "Stranger," "Stranger" is even more remarkable its deliberate attempt to reveal both an infusion of conceptual sci fi imagination more than almost any sci fi movie and also introduce an alien character is among the most intriguing, even suggestive of Brad Pitt's performance in "Meet Joe Black" (1998). Overall the storyline and details of the acting are fascinating in its underplayed manner and even the almost successful attempt which is rarely accomplished in most movies, a balanced perspective of ideas and motivations. The romantic angle even echoes "The Bridges of Madison County" (1995), a more highly received romantic drama years later. Perhaps the closest accompanying period sci fi classic movie that is comparable to "Stranger" would be "This Island Earth" that come out a year later. Nevertheless, taken in the context of the 1950s, "Stranger" could be considered among the best, if not the best, sci fi movie from that era.
A humane, surprisingly intelligent British 50s Sci-fi thriller.
Weirdling_Wolf12 April 2022
The supremely talented Patricia Neal is quite wonderful in this humane, surprisingly intelligent, yet criminally underappreciated British 50s Sci-fi thriller that excitingly finds our exotically handsome 'Stranger from Venus' (Helmut Dantine) on an earnest philanthropic mission to warn his primitive Milky Way neighbours about the inevitably apocalyptic dangers inherent in man's vainglorious meddling with nuclear fission, but his cool, pragmatic warnings fall on predicable deaf, bureaucratically belligerent ears!
While Derek Bond is suitably starchy as the mannered civil servant, it's Patricia Neal whose star shines brightest, giving a winningly heartfelt performance as the kindly, sensitive Susan North who becomes so enamoured of this dashing Venusian Cunning linguist. Writer Hans Jacoby's non-schlocky, adult text is mighty fine, with composer Eric Spear's lush score providing some effectively dramatic themes. Relatively light on pulpy action, Burt Balaban's 'Stranger from Venus' is undeniably thoughtful and, perhaps, a little too talky for some, but, happily, it's jolly good talk and the worthy thoughts remain no less pertinent today. An entirely welcome 50s Sci-fi discovery, and one I shall most definitely return to!
While Derek Bond is suitably starchy as the mannered civil servant, it's Patricia Neal whose star shines brightest, giving a winningly heartfelt performance as the kindly, sensitive Susan North who becomes so enamoured of this dashing Venusian Cunning linguist. Writer Hans Jacoby's non-schlocky, adult text is mighty fine, with composer Eric Spear's lush score providing some effectively dramatic themes. Relatively light on pulpy action, Burt Balaban's 'Stranger from Venus' is undeniably thoughtful and, perhaps, a little too talky for some, but, happily, it's jolly good talk and the worthy thoughts remain no less pertinent today. An entirely welcome 50s Sci-fi discovery, and one I shall most definitely return to!
It's as if they trapped the screenplay to "Devil Girl From Mars" in a tar pit
lemon_magic22 July 2010
If you sucked all the grandeur and excitement and great acting out of "The Day The Earth Stood Still", you'd essentially end up with "Devil Girl From Mars", are you with me? (Or just take out the big budget and you'd have the "Quatermass" serials...still really good.)
Now, take "Devil Girl" (or Quatermass) and remove the special effects, the cool costumes, the sense of menace, and the action scenes. Throw in Patricia O'Neal, but make sure she sleepwalks though her part. Potentially fairly awful, but someone like Theodore Sturgeon could still do something very interesting with it.
Now carefully stage each and every scene and exchange of dialog so that it drags on endlessly. Dose the results with Dramamine, and you've got something like this movie, a talky, static, dull little set piece that thinks it's being classy and cerebral, but really just marches in place without doing anything of interest.
I realize that even in British cinema, they can't all be gems...but it always surprises me when a Brit film studio releases something like this.
Now, take "Devil Girl" (or Quatermass) and remove the special effects, the cool costumes, the sense of menace, and the action scenes. Throw in Patricia O'Neal, but make sure she sleepwalks though her part. Potentially fairly awful, but someone like Theodore Sturgeon could still do something very interesting with it.
Now carefully stage each and every scene and exchange of dialog so that it drags on endlessly. Dose the results with Dramamine, and you've got something like this movie, a talky, static, dull little set piece that thinks it's being classy and cerebral, but really just marches in place without doing anything of interest.
I realize that even in British cinema, they can't all be gems...but it always surprises me when a Brit film studio releases something like this.
Early British Sci-Fi
pghmoe19 January 2001
Basically British variation on The Day Earth Stood Still, which Neal also starred in. It tries to overcome it's low budget limitations but just falls short of the mark. A for effort; C for execution. British sci-fi would take off the following year with the arrival of Professor Bernard Quatermass.
Subpar
ebeckstr-113 July 2019
Slow-paced if not tedious, and inexpertly written. Worth one viewing for fans of British sci-fi or 1950s sci-fi. I believe this is an American/British co-production but it has the distinct feel and atmosphere of a Brit SF flick from that era even though it is not on par with movies like Quatermass 2, X the Unknown, or Devil Girl from Mars.
A likeable if very familiar little sci-fi tale.
Hey_Sweden20 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
An enigmatic stranger (Austrian actor Helmut Dantine) who claims to be an emissary from Venus lands his spacecraft in rural England. He proceeds to confound and fascinate all the locals; he has an amazing ability to learn things and in fact spends a fair amount of time explaining the nature of his people to these intrigued Earthlings.
His ultimate mission definitely offers echoes of the bigger American production "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (which also starred this movies' leading lady, Patricia Neal). It's a worthy subject, but moviegoers of the time must have experienced a major case of deja vu.
This clearly had a low budget since there is a bare minimum of locations, and much of the plot is expressed through dialogue. Viewers could easily argue that it's much too talky, and largely uneventful, but yours truly had a pretty good time with it. It helps a lot that this is well cast from top to bottom with sterling, mostly British actors: also appearing are Derek Bond, Cyril Luckham, Willoughby Gray, and Nigel Green. As innkeeper Gray's daughter, young Marigold Russell is radiant, although the whole cast does engaging work. (In uncredited roles you'll see Jack Gwillim, John Le Mesurier, and a young Peter Sallis.) Neal is very appealing as the woman who, despite being engaged to Bonds' politician character, is attracted to, confused by, and even apprehensive towards the stranger. And although Dantine won't make anybody forget Michael Rennie, he does a solid job as the title character.
"Stranger from Venus" does benefit from a reasonably intelligent script (by Hans Jacoby, based on a story by Desmond Leslie), and engrossing direction by American filmmaker Burt Balaban ("Murder, Inc.", "Mad Dog Coll"). The aforementioned low budget obviously put a limit on how many special effects could be created, but what little we see is pulled off fairly well. The tense (and ultimately bittersweet) resolution is one of the best parts, as The Stranger does *want* to put faith in human beings, but finds that he may end up disappointed.
Six out of 10.
His ultimate mission definitely offers echoes of the bigger American production "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (which also starred this movies' leading lady, Patricia Neal). It's a worthy subject, but moviegoers of the time must have experienced a major case of deja vu.
This clearly had a low budget since there is a bare minimum of locations, and much of the plot is expressed through dialogue. Viewers could easily argue that it's much too talky, and largely uneventful, but yours truly had a pretty good time with it. It helps a lot that this is well cast from top to bottom with sterling, mostly British actors: also appearing are Derek Bond, Cyril Luckham, Willoughby Gray, and Nigel Green. As innkeeper Gray's daughter, young Marigold Russell is radiant, although the whole cast does engaging work. (In uncredited roles you'll see Jack Gwillim, John Le Mesurier, and a young Peter Sallis.) Neal is very appealing as the woman who, despite being engaged to Bonds' politician character, is attracted to, confused by, and even apprehensive towards the stranger. And although Dantine won't make anybody forget Michael Rennie, he does a solid job as the title character.
"Stranger from Venus" does benefit from a reasonably intelligent script (by Hans Jacoby, based on a story by Desmond Leslie), and engrossing direction by American filmmaker Burt Balaban ("Murder, Inc.", "Mad Dog Coll"). The aforementioned low budget obviously put a limit on how many special effects could be created, but what little we see is pulled off fairly well. The tense (and ultimately bittersweet) resolution is one of the best parts, as The Stranger does *want* to put faith in human beings, but finds that he may end up disappointed.
Six out of 10.
Interesting concepts, slowly presented
Panamint19 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Some careful thought and preparation is evident in this production but overall it is made in a non-dynamic manner, very deliberate and you might say too slow. The direction seems primitive. Once this director sets his camera for a scene it is seemingly planted in concrete- it ain't gonna move. In some scenes maybe coffee or caffeine would have helped the director. Military personnel just stand around, and even scenes beside a Monet-esque lily pond are flat and unromantic.
The British actors are really good, especially the grey haired doctor and young Marigold Russell who portrays "Gretchen". Helmut Dantine is very focused and is riveting in the lead role. In contrast, Patricia Neal looks as if she would rather be somewhere else and is not effective in her role.
The music is mostly of the orchestrated "English pastoral" style popular in the early to mid 20th century but other than providing a classy sound is not lively enough for a sci-fi film. There is a huge early-50's Packard auto that is loaded with chrome and very noticeable but is thoroughly ugly- its too bad because the earlier post-WWII Packard designs were generally more elegant and graceful. I always enjoy looking for mid-century ambiance and trappings in films from the era such as I found in this movie.
Some interesting science can be found here such as a proposed landing in a magnetic field area and concepts of interplanetary gravitation.
An advanced being lectures us on how stupid and crude we are in routine fashion that has been done in films numerous times before and since, so this aspect of the theme seems rather redundant.
The British actors are really good, especially the grey haired doctor and young Marigold Russell who portrays "Gretchen". Helmut Dantine is very focused and is riveting in the lead role. In contrast, Patricia Neal looks as if she would rather be somewhere else and is not effective in her role.
The music is mostly of the orchestrated "English pastoral" style popular in the early to mid 20th century but other than providing a classy sound is not lively enough for a sci-fi film. There is a huge early-50's Packard auto that is loaded with chrome and very noticeable but is thoroughly ugly- its too bad because the earlier post-WWII Packard designs were generally more elegant and graceful. I always enjoy looking for mid-century ambiance and trappings in films from the era such as I found in this movie.
Some interesting science can be found here such as a proposed landing in a magnetic field area and concepts of interplanetary gravitation.
An advanced being lectures us on how stupid and crude we are in routine fashion that has been done in films numerous times before and since, so this aspect of the theme seems rather redundant.
Rather static, but overall solid 50's British sci-fi fare
Woodyanders27 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
An odd and aloof alien being (a convincing performance by Helmut Dantine) from Venus with the ability to save human lives and heal wounds with just his touch arrives on Earth in a remote town in England to warn mankind to stop their destructive ways before it's too late.
Director Burt Balaban offers an intriguing air of mystery, maintains a somber tone throughout, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, and makes neat use of the English countryside. Although Hans Jacoby's thoughtful script handles the subject matter in an admirably low-key and straightforward manner, said script alas goes a bit too heavy on dialogue over any real action that could have given this rather flat film a bit more kick. Fortunately, the sound acting from a capable cast keeps this movie on track, with especially praiseworthy contributions from Patricia Neal as the sweet Susan North, Derek Bond as meddlesome troublemaker Arthur Walker, Cyril Luckham as the wise Dr. Weinard, Willoughby Gray as amiable innkeeper Tom Harding, and Marigold Russell as Harding's fetching barmaid daughter Gretchen. Kenneth Talbot's crisp black and white cinematography makes neat use of fades and dissolves. A bit slow and talky, but overall pretty good.
Director Burt Balaban offers an intriguing air of mystery, maintains a somber tone throughout, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, and makes neat use of the English countryside. Although Hans Jacoby's thoughtful script handles the subject matter in an admirably low-key and straightforward manner, said script alas goes a bit too heavy on dialogue over any real action that could have given this rather flat film a bit more kick. Fortunately, the sound acting from a capable cast keeps this movie on track, with especially praiseworthy contributions from Patricia Neal as the sweet Susan North, Derek Bond as meddlesome troublemaker Arthur Walker, Cyril Luckham as the wise Dr. Weinard, Willoughby Gray as amiable innkeeper Tom Harding, and Marigold Russell as Harding's fetching barmaid daughter Gretchen. Kenneth Talbot's crisp black and white cinematography makes neat use of fades and dissolves. A bit slow and talky, but overall pretty good.
Britain's answer to The Day the Earth Stood Still
Red-Barracuda6 June 2022
This is Britain's answer to The Day the Earth Stood Still. To that end, this one is about a smart-arsed alien who comes to Earth to patronise humankind and tell us we are effectively all a bunch of idiots. Seeing as this is U. K. sci-fi, the budget is lessened accordingly, and so we have an alien from Venus who looks exactly human, which was no doubt a bonus for the make-up department. If you think this all sounds like good fun then you'd be dead wrong, as a better title would have been 'Stranger from Yawnsville'. Its tedious melodrama we get here more than sci-fi schlock but I made it to the end. It did have one good bit though, when an official says about the stranger from Venus - with no irony - 'I usually hate people who know all the answers, but I like him. He makes you feel like a moron, but I like him.'
A low budget English Day the Earth Stood Still l
dstillman-8938318 April 2019
A visitor from Venus arrives to warn Earth of the dangers of its nuclear experiments. Is anyone else as tired as I am of aliens judging Earthings for their violent tendencies? (Remember Q in Star Trek the Next Generation?) it is a well constructed British version of TDTESS but without the spectacular robot Gort or any other of the great special effects, for that matter. It also stars Patricia Neal who turned in a fine performance here. It has a good plot but lacks the mystery of the other film.
Britain's boring answer to The Day the Earth Stood Still
Leofwine_draca8 January 2016
STRANGER FROM VENUS is Britain's answer to THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, and it isn't very good. This is a film which has dated very badly since first release, considering that 95% of its running time consists of middle-aged blokes sitting around in pubs and having philosophical debates.
It's all very highbrow and intellectual, of course, but this also has the side effect of making it completely non-cinematic. There's very little incident in this film and no action, danger, or real excitement. All the good bits were done better in the Michael Rennie film, and really, things only pick up in the last ten minutes and then bang, it's suddenly all over. The low budget is always more than obvious.
The concept of the film - an alien visits earth to condemn mankind for what they're doing to the planet - is overtly familiar and the script can add nothing new to the debate. Patricia Neal does well in a leading role and there are bit parts for John Le Mesurier and Nigel Green, but the leading cast is for the most part lacklustre, and there's very little to interest even the viewer with an interest in British science fiction of the 1950s.
It's all very highbrow and intellectual, of course, but this also has the side effect of making it completely non-cinematic. There's very little incident in this film and no action, danger, or real excitement. All the good bits were done better in the Michael Rennie film, and really, things only pick up in the last ten minutes and then bang, it's suddenly all over. The low budget is always more than obvious.
The concept of the film - an alien visits earth to condemn mankind for what they're doing to the planet - is overtly familiar and the script can add nothing new to the debate. Patricia Neal does well in a leading role and there are bit parts for John Le Mesurier and Nigel Green, but the leading cast is for the most part lacklustre, and there's very little to interest even the viewer with an interest in British science fiction of the 1950s.
Surprisingly good movie
richardhimlin7 February 2022
Those reviewers who rated this movie poorly cannot see the forest for the trees. I had never seen nor heard of this movie until a few years ago. When I watched it, I was expecting a terrible movie, however to my surprise, it was a very good message. Similar to the Day the Earth Stood Still and the Cosmic Man but different. Very good movie.
An at times a pedestrian and plodding low-budget film, but one with a sense of purpose
christopouloschris-5838817 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Stranger from Venus (1954) appears to have been adapted from the Robert Wise classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still, an impression further reinforced by having Patricia Neal cast as the female star.
In both films an alien visitor arrives to deliver a dire warning about humanity's irresponsible use of nuclear weapons, only to be met by unreasoning political and military actions. In the British version, alien visitors tend to land in the middle of nowhere, preferably close to an inn or pub, whereas visiting aliens in the US seem to crave attention by landing smack bang in the middle of Washington DC.
Helmut Dantine's sedative-like performance coupled with the slow-moving and very static pace of the film makes it at times rather less than entertaining and quite bland. There is also not much in the way of special effects and those that are used for the Venusian spacecraft scenes don't look at all convincing.
Minor spoiler alert!
Stranger from Venus does effectively highlight the stupidity of officialdom and those who we entrust to look after our interests. In the film, for instance, the government immediately acts to isolate the area, blocks information and communication and refuses to invite in other nations as requested. In a final act of irresponsible, bureaucratic, paranoid and short-sighted thinking, it is decided to attempt to bring down the Venusian craft so that the authorities can steal the technology of its magnetic propulsion system, despite the possibility of utter destruction from such a course of action.
Stranger from Venus clearly stands out as a Cold War era film with a message that would have resonated with audiences at the time: that nuclear arms pose a huge threat and Mankind must step back from the brink of destruction before it's too late.
In both films an alien visitor arrives to deliver a dire warning about humanity's irresponsible use of nuclear weapons, only to be met by unreasoning political and military actions. In the British version, alien visitors tend to land in the middle of nowhere, preferably close to an inn or pub, whereas visiting aliens in the US seem to crave attention by landing smack bang in the middle of Washington DC.
Helmut Dantine's sedative-like performance coupled with the slow-moving and very static pace of the film makes it at times rather less than entertaining and quite bland. There is also not much in the way of special effects and those that are used for the Venusian spacecraft scenes don't look at all convincing.
Minor spoiler alert!
Stranger from Venus does effectively highlight the stupidity of officialdom and those who we entrust to look after our interests. In the film, for instance, the government immediately acts to isolate the area, blocks information and communication and refuses to invite in other nations as requested. In a final act of irresponsible, bureaucratic, paranoid and short-sighted thinking, it is decided to attempt to bring down the Venusian craft so that the authorities can steal the technology of its magnetic propulsion system, despite the possibility of utter destruction from such a course of action.
Stranger from Venus clearly stands out as a Cold War era film with a message that would have resonated with audiences at the time: that nuclear arms pose a huge threat and Mankind must step back from the brink of destruction before it's too late.
As exciting as a high school science class.
mark.waltz26 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, there is a stranger from Venus, played by the dashing Helmut Dantine. He indicates that Venus is the earthly name for his planet, preparing for the arrival of others from his home. He warns that earth itself is like the unruly younger brother which needs to be disciplined and educated in the dangers of the progression of nuclear power and other energies. All interesting to read about in a science fiction short story, and already explored in much better science fiction films, most obviously "The Day the Earth Stood Still". The presence of Patricia Neal adds to the obvious connection between the two films, but a good majority of the film is just chat, constant and boring.
Is this supposed to be a science fiction analogy of what the world is doing wrong in its attempts to keep peace? If so, it never goes past what could have been explained in a 10 minute educational short, adding a romance in between Neal and Dantine. Best known for his roles as Nazi soldiers in propaganda films of World War II, he gives a very good performance, passionate in an otherwise lifeless film. Neal, with her strong eye expressions, is hard to resist, but her presence only explodes the idea of why this has failed to be nearly as stunning as "The Day the Earth Stood Still". The rest of the cast is rounded out with some of England's finest character performers, but the laziness of an un-intriguing film takes away any real impact that it could have had. Desperate attempts to bring in some last minute suspense seems to be too little, too late.
Is this supposed to be a science fiction analogy of what the world is doing wrong in its attempts to keep peace? If so, it never goes past what could have been explained in a 10 minute educational short, adding a romance in between Neal and Dantine. Best known for his roles as Nazi soldiers in propaganda films of World War II, he gives a very good performance, passionate in an otherwise lifeless film. Neal, with her strong eye expressions, is hard to resist, but her presence only explodes the idea of why this has failed to be nearly as stunning as "The Day the Earth Stood Still". The rest of the cast is rounded out with some of England's finest character performers, but the laziness of an un-intriguing film takes away any real impact that it could have had. Desperate attempts to bring in some last minute suspense seems to be too little, too late.
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