I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

In the year 1990, scientists from an American "space institute" translate a radio signal sent from a distant planet notifying Earthlings of an impending visit, but instead the intrepid aliens crash land on Mars and a rescue team is sent into space to find them. Another one of those B-grade American International products with poster art more creative and promising than the film being advertising. Still, writer-director Curtis Harrington isn't Ed Wood; he attempts to put on a colorful show, even though a great deal of the special effects footage has been lifted from two Soviet features, "Mechte Navstrechu" and "Nebo Zovyot". Actors John Saxon, Basil Rathbone and Dennis Hopper alternately look bemused and embarrassed. ** from ****

This movie uses footage from a Soviet film, Mechte Navstrechu (1963). I hope the Soviets got paid something for it, because it is really artistic. The Soviet film is currently available on YouTube. It's interesting to compare the two stories. The Soviet film is an optimistic story about how wonderful a meeting between humans and aliens might be. The aliens overhear a love song about apple trees flourishing on Mars and decide they'd like to get in contact with us. Maybe not surprising, there's an American or English scientist named Laungton who can't believe the aliens could really have good intentions. But it turns out that Soviet cosmonauts, after one sacrifices his life for the cause, manage to rescue a beautiful alien woman and bring her back to earth, and happiness ensues.The American film takes the rather eerie footage from early in the film and turns it into a vampire story. The aliens intended to come to earth to take over our planet and suck our blood. I believe that much of the footage they took of the astronauts/cosmonauts investigating the alien space ships is identical with the original film. Only when the camera focuses on the faces of the American astronauts is it different.I have to say I like the American version better, in spite of its rather less edifying message. I think maybe Roger Corman, who had a role in putting the American film together, recognized the eeriness potential of the early Russian footage. I think the Russia film makers, in spite of their obvious artistry, didn't realize how the eeriness of the early part clashed with the rather schmaltzy love story and music at various points in the film.However, the Russian footage is absolutely fascinating. I've watched it again and again.I noticed that a reviewer said this drew from another Russian film, Nebo Zovyot (1959). I watched that and never noticed anything from Queen of Blood.

The producers of this film owe thanks to the Russian film, Mechte navstrechu, for keeping costs down by providing critical footage.But, the sci-fi effects are dazzling, and the color is brilliant, especially for a film from the 60s. I wish our current astronauts wore suits as colorful as the ones in this film.It also features some good actors: John Saxon, Golden Globe nominee for The Appaloosa, the same year; two-time Oscar nominee, famous swashbuckler, and the definitive Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone; a very young two-time Oscar nominee, Dennis Hopper; Mr. Science Fiction, Forrest J Ackerman, who is credited with creating the term sci-fi; and, of course, Florence Marly (in one of her last films) as the Queen of Blood.Interesting precursor to Alien.

This flick is pretty low budget and a rip off of most 1950s alien plots (you know, humans in the future go to Mars and encounter an evil alien presence). However, it seems to be an homage to the older low budget sci-fi thrillers. It doesn't get campy (this could be considered a fault if looking for something to crack jokes at), but is obviously cheap.Here's the plot gang, in the year 1990 humans receive an alien signal from Mars and send a crew to investigate. They experience difficulties and have to make an emergency landing (of course) leaving them stranded on Mars near an alien space craft. Brenner (John Saxon) and his buddy convince Dr. Farraday (Rathbone wondering what happened to his career) to send them in a rescue ship to an orbiting moon where they can get to their marooned colleagues. On this moon, Saxon and friend locate a living alien being. To make a long story short, Saxon leaves his buddy on the moon and links up with the marooned humans and brings alien queen with him. She ends up sucking the blood out of the captain (Brockman) and the young crewman (Dennis Hopper trying to break out of crappy roles) leaving Saxon and his love interest (Judi Meredith) to cope with the queen of the alien undead.I won't give the ending away, but you can probably figure it out.The film wasn't that good, but the actors and actresses do a good job. I'd definitely have to say it's good if you're in the mood for a low budget 60s sci-fi film.