Drive-In Double Feature: Creation of the Humanoids/War Between the Planets

Drive-In Double Feature: Creation of the Humanoids/War Between the Planets
by Antonio Margheriti, Wesley Barry

Drive-In Double Feature: Creation of the Humanoids/War Between the Planets
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DVD details

Actor: Don Doolittle, Don Megowan, Dudley Manlove, Erica Elliott, George Milan
Director: Antonio Margheriti, Wesley Barry
Brand: MPI
Producer: Antonio Margheriti
Producer: Edward J. Kay
Writer: Ivan Reiner
Writer: Jack Williamson
Writer: Jay Simms
Writer: Renato Moretti
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 162 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-05-30
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Dark Sky Films

DVD Reviews of Drive-In Double Feature: Creation of the Humanoids/War Between the Planets

DVD Review: Perfect Schlock
Summary: 5 Stars

While "War Between the Planets" is wonderfully lame, it is not the main attraction on this DVD. "Creation of the Humanoids" is a beautifully pretentious little film that attempts to encompass a worldwide revolution and the evolution of a new type of "humanoid" all in the confines of two or three sets, with only a handful of actors and no special effects. It is a futuristic talk-fest with very little in the way of action. But, it is most definitely a classic! The quality of the sound and picture transfer to DVD is excellent. This is a "must-have" for all collectors of "B" (for BAD) cinema. It is a guilty pleasure!

DVD Review: Great retro fun, but thoughtful as well
Summary: 5 Stars

"Creation of the Humanoids" is one of those vaguely-remembered films from my boyhood that I never could find over the years, but then it popped up on Amazon.

COTH is slower-paced than a lot of sci-fi movies, so don't expect much action here, but it has an interesting look and a feel all it's own, almost in the same way that "Invaders from Mars" does. The plot is basically a warning against bigotry, done in a way that doesn't simplify or demonize any of the characters, and unfolds gradually.

If you like classic sci-fi, but with a thoughtful storyline and some intelligent dialogue, this is a good film to get. I'm not sure what younger viewers would make of it, however.

"War Between the Planets" struck me as filler, and I couldn't watch more than a few minutes of it.

DVD Review: WOW...!!!
Summary: 4 Stars

(SPOILER ALERT FOR THE MOVIES, CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS, INPOSTER, BLADE RUNNER, ROBO COP AND THE SIXTH SCENSE, AS WELL AS THE PHILLIP K. DICK NOVEL, DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP)

CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS, can be taken one of two ways, either as a low budget, Ed Woodesque type film, with stiff, stilted acting, minimalist sets, and a total lack of action, or, as a precursor to the type of thought provoking films as, Imposter and Blade Runner (from the Phillip K. Dick novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep) where the question of artificial beings as the next step in the evolution of the human species, and what makes one human, are explored.

I was kind of worried at first that this film might turn out to be the former, a bad "B" movie of the lowest regards, after reading mixed reviews on amazon.com, and other review sites, but upon finishing the film, I was quite taken in by the whole experience.

First off, the over all tone of the film and it's minimalist sets, kind of reminds me of a Star Trek episode (even though this predates Star Trek by several years) in that sets are fine for what they are meant to be, nothing over the top, but not the inane cardboard sets that some have suggested that they resemble, either.

As for the acting, Star Trek is also brought to mind, and no, not in the over the top, Shatner school of acting, acting, but more in the guest stars kind of performances, in that they're not Emmy contenders, but do get the job done.

It's kind of odd, but once you get into what the movie is trying to convey, you really look past the budget and acting, and actually get emotionally involved with the story, a story that brings into question the same things that Blade Runner would tackle, 20 years later.

Imposter, raised the same sort of questions years later by gifting a humanoid robot with memories, and making it think that it was human.

CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS, also had a nice little twist ending (M. Night Shyamalan, might have gotten a few ideas from this film as far as, The Sixth Scenes, is concerned) even past the main twist ending, which quite caught me off guard, and had me smiling, in spite of myself.

This was a definite find.

As for the second film, WAR BETWEEN THE PLANETS, I haven't watched this one, as of yet, and so, cannot comment on it, but the disc is well worth the price for, CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS.

DVD Review: Humanoids has a point
Summary: 3 Stars

Creation of the Humanoids is one of the worst directed smart films in history -- Even bad movie director Ed Wood could not be this bad. Yet, for all the incompetence (including much "off camera mic" sound work), the story is a smart and thoughtful one. It has been mentioned that Blade Runner is style over content (with a big budget) and Creation of the Humanoids is content without the competence to pull it off. Worth a look (and, more to the point, listen) to the very intelligent ideas presented, but you will not believe how badly it is executed. As for the second feature, War Between the Planets, you will likely want to give it a miss.

DVD Review: For the TRUE Sci-Fi Fan
Summary: 4 Stars

This DVD contains two obscure sci-fi titles of the early 60's, "Creation of the Humanoids" (1962) and "War Between the Planets" (1966). Ironically, the distributors have paired a lost gem in the true spirit and meaning of the science fiction genre against a worthless bore fest that can only attempt to look the part.

"Creation of the Humanoids" is an intimate tale of an earth with a dying human population. But humanoids have been developed as servants, and are now rivaling the humans in population as well as abilities, characteristics, and appearance.

This movie is not a thriller, not a staging ground for great battles, not a vehicle for superheroes. Its special effects are minimal (but do the job, in my opinion.) Rather, it is a shining example of what science fiction does best, and is truly meant to do: to explore our human condition by depicting man in extraordinary, other-worldly environments and circumstances.

The film explores the definition of life, the meaning of consciousness, prejudice, the essence of romance -- and all in a simple story with no wasted scenes or dialog. One cleverly constructed conversation between a human and a humanoid forces us to stop and think, just what is the scope of God's creation? And the humanoids manage to have more charm and wit, with their pupil-less eyes and gray-green skin, than their human counterparts -- an early achievement of this now familiar persona in sci-fi films.

No, it's not slick, but you'll watch it at least twice once the full plot has been revealed. A terrific little film, and a must-see.

"War Between the Planets" is an English-language Italian film (with a misleading English title) having no redeeming qualities. It takes itself too seriously, the characters are full of themselves, the dialog is contrived, and it is basically unwatchable.

But if you're a true sci-fi fan, don't miss "Creation of the Humanoids".

Description of Drive-In Double Feature: Creation of the Humanoids/War Between the Planets

Creation of the Humanoids: Following a catastrophic nuclear war, mankind creates a race of blue-skinned androids to assist in the reconstruction of civilization. Disparagingly referred to as "Clickers," the robots grow more intelligent and human-like. To stop their evolution and to preserve their own rule, a fanatical group called The Order of Flesh and Blood is created. Are the robots really man's enemy or his last hope for survival? Featuring cinematography by Academy Award winner Hal Mohr, and makeup by famed artist Jack P. Pierce (Frankenstein, The Mummy), this philosophical science fiction drive-in classic was rumored to have been a favorite of pop artist Andy Warhol. War Between the Planets: When a series of natural disasters plague civilization, scientists learn that the culprit is a seemingly barren planet set on a collision course with Earth. A team of astronauts is sent to counter the impending Armageddon, but after landing on the wayward planet they discover that it has a bloodthirsty life of its own. Also known as Planet on the Prowl and Il Planeta Errante, this extremely stylish Italian sci-fi thriller directed by Antonio Margheriti (Castle of Blood, Cannibal Apocalypse) was the third film in the Gamma I Quadrilogy.

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