“Not of This Earth” is a sci-fi horror film about an alien vampire who sucks the blood of humans to survive. The extraterrestrial creature is on a mission to save his dying planet, but he needs human blood to do so. He disguises himself as a wealthy businessman and hires a nurse to assist him with his medical needs. As the nurse discovers the truth behind her patient’s condition, she must find a way to stop him before he kills everyone around him and destroys Earth.
⇣⇣⇣
Review
“Not of This Earth” is a 1957 science fiction film that will take you on an intergalactic journey filled with mystery, adventure, and suspense. Directed by Roger Corman, the movie stars Paul Birch as an alien who travels to Earth in search of human blood to save his dying race.
The storyline of “Not of This Earth” revolves around a humanoid creature named Mr. Johnson, who comes to Earth from the planet Davanna. He seeks to find a way to transport back to his home planet before it faces extinction due to nuclear war. In order to survive on our planet, he needs human blood transfusions every ten days.
As Mr. Johnson starts exploring the city, he hires a nurse named Nadine Story (Beverly Garland) who agrees to help him obtain the blood he needs. Little did they know that a scientist named Dr. Rochelle (Jonathan Haze) is investigating strange occurrences within the city that lead him straight towards Mr. Johnson’s door.
The plot of “Not of This Earth” is fast-paced and filled with mystery and intrigue as we follow Mr. Johnson’s desperate attempt to save his dying race while trying not to blow his cover as an extraterrestrial being in front of humans.
The fact that this movie was made during the height of the Cold War era adds another layer of tension and fear, which makes it even more thrilling for viewers today.
The cast of “Not of This Earth” delivers stellar performances that bring their characters’ depth and emotions into life on screen. Paul Birch expertly portrays Mr. Johnson’s vulnerability and desperation as he tries everything possible to save his race from complete annihilation.
Beverly Garland’s portrayal of Nadine Story shows her character’s inner conflict between her duty as a nurse and her ethical values while working for an extraterrestrial being.
Jonathan Haze also gives an admirable performance as Dr. Rochelle, who relentlessly searches for the truth behind the strange happenings in his city.
The score and popularity of “Not of This Earth” were moderate upon its release. However, it has since become a classic among science fiction enthusiasts and fans of B-movies alike.
Filming for “Not of This Earth” took place on a tight budget and schedule, which was characteristic of Roger Corman’s production style. Despite these constraints, the movie’s cinematography is impressive, with effective use of close-ups and wide-angle shots that add to the film’s suspenseful tone.
The special effects used in “Not of This Earth” are minimal but effective in portraying Mr. Johnson’s alien abilities, such as telekinesis and hypnotic powers.
The dialogue between characters is crisp and to-the-point, adding tension to every scene without any unnecessary fluff. The crews involved in producing “Not of This Earth” delivered their best despite working with limited resources.
While critics may argue that the production quality of “Not of This Earth” may not be up to par with contemporary sci-fi films, it is a testament to what can be achieved on a tight budget without hampering creativity and imagination.
The editing department also did an excellent job creating seamless transitions between scenes while maintaining continuity throughout the film’s runtime.
In conclusion, “Not of This Earth” may not have swept up awards during its time, but it has gained recognition as an enduring classic that continues to captivate audiences over sixty years after its initial release. If you’re looking for a thrilling movie that takes you on an otherworldly adventure while exploring themes such as desperation, humanity and sacrifice – then this movie undoubtedly delivers.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 81
- Release : 1988-05-20
- Genre : Horror, Science Fiction
- Cast : Traci Lords as Nadine Story, Arthur Roberts as Mr. Johnson, Lenny Juliano as Jeremy Perrin, Ace Mask as Dr. Rochelle, Roger Lodge as Harry
- Crew : Roger Corman as Executive Producer, Kevin Tent as Editor, Jim Wynorski as Screenplay, Jim Wynorski as Director, Jim Wynorski as Producer
- Popularity 6.625
- Budget : $210,000
- Revenue : $107,352
- Company : Miracle Pictures
- Summary : An alien arrives on Earth looking to take human blood in an attempt to preserve his dying planet.
- Tagline : Traci Must Battle Forces From Another Galaxy!
