Sorry, this movie sucks

Absolutely the worst movie.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Eh, I suppose it was a decent concept. It's rare that you see monsters in B movies like this, using sophisticated psychological warfare to get what they want. The monster looks like a pissed off unopened parasol so it gives you a good laugh or two, but it also almost gives you a sense that it's trying to METAPHORICALLY symbolize the dangers and realities of alcohol abuse, but that may just be my inner poet. Not a bad watch, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

When the film begins, Dr. Tom Anderson (Lee Van Cleef) approaches the military brass to beg them NOT to send any satellites into space. He has a wacky theory that this will incite beings on other planets and they will then come to Earth to stop our program one way or another. In essence, he thinks it's best we keep a low profile! He bases this on some weird signals he's intercepted from Venus. Naturally everyone thinks he's a nut...including Dr. Paul Nelson (Peter Graves), his old friend. After all, the satellite WAS launched and has been in space several months and nothing's happened. Well, not surprisingly, when Nelson says this, the satellite disappears! Then, some time later, it's back!! Obviously some external force IS out there.During the interim, Anderson's attitude sure has changed! He's been communicating with one of the aliens and is now convinced their arrival is a good thing! This being from another world promises to help the world by eliminating human feelings...as emotions lead to wars and hatred. While this would be a terrible thing, what the alien actually envisions is much worse! And dumbbell Anderson has been helping the aliens to pick out who on Earth to control with their giant killer hemorrhoid-like devices!! And, it turns out the Earth's last hope rests on Dr. Nelson as he tries to fight these flying 'things'.In many ways, this film is like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and even more like the episode "Conspiracy" from "Star Trek: The Next Generation". And, I must admit that these were both very good sci- fi programs. The problem with "It Conquered the World" is that the basic idea is great...but the aliens are ridiculous to say the least and their flying devices nearly as laughable. With DECENT aliens and 'thingies', I'd give this one a 7 or 8. But with the dopey, cheap and stupid ones, it only merits a 4.

Dr. Tom Anderson (Lee Van Cleef) asks his friend Dr. Paul Nelson (Peter Graves) to listen to a strange humming sound, a signal from Venus. Tom thinks that's a Venusian talking to him. Paul just thinks Tom is going mad. Anyhow, an ugly looking Venusian lands on Earth, shuts off all technical devices just like that and sends out bats to bite people in the neck (yes, that's a bit low tech for an invader). Tom is convinced the Venusian can bring progress to mankind by merciless mind control. Paul is convinced that Tom is not making any sense and became a dangerous traitor. Tom is talking to the alien regularly to pick up its instructions. Tom's Wife Claire (Beverly Garland) decides she hates the alien because it took her husband away from her. Time for phone calls is over, she is going to face the intruder...Even though the movie features one of the most ridiculous rubber monsters ever to disgrace the silver screen, it has a remarkably good quality in most other respects. Building up the story as a personal revenge rather than a typical invasion puts the focus on the actors who do a better job than usual in the low budget flicks. Paranoia SF of the 1950s at its best.

It Conquered the World seems to be trapped in a sort of sci-fi Twilight Zone. Though it has a sizable cult following that appreciates its quirky genius, there are many genre fans who dismiss it as b-grade schlock. Rarely mentioned on lists of science fiction greats from the fertile 50s, the movie nonetheless survives and continues to entertain genre fans today. That It Conquered the World is a b-movie is undeniable--indeed, it is a near-perfect example of the type--but its b-movie status doesn't mean it can't be good. And it is actually quite good.The story of an alien intelligence that takes advantage of a disillusioned scientist to plot a takeover of Earth, It Conquered the World is incredibly ambitious. The globe-spanning plot was typical of science fiction from the period, but director Roger Corman didn't have the budget of War of the Worlds or Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers. Corman had to rely on imagination, and his audience's willing suspension of disbelief. Yes, the limited sets and small cast at Corman's disposal don't always do the story justice--crowd scenes are not particularly crowded, the military response to the emergency is about 1/100th what it should be, etc.--but as a result the more intimate drama becomes a fascinating character study, and the multi-layered plot works as both Cold War paranoia thriller and introspective morality play. Corman and writer Lous Rusoff (and an uncredited Charles B. Griffith) are working with a complex, thoughtful plot that belies the movie's b-level reputation.And the cast does wonders with the story. Headliners Lee Van Cleef and Robert Graves are solid as the scientists whose friendship turns bitter once it becomes clear that Van Cleef has sold his soul to the devil in exchange for revenge upon a cruel world. The beautiful Beverly Garland is often singled out for her outstanding performance as Van Cleef's desperate wife, and her nuanced portrayal of a woman trying in vain to pull her husband out of the pit is indeed excellent, and with her gorgeous looks, charm, and a killer scream Garland is one sci-fi's earliest great scream queens. Often overshadowed by Garland's performance, Sally Fraser's role as Graves's benighted wife is nearly as important to the plot, and Fraser's transformation from a caring, decent woman to alien-possessed temptress is highly convincing. Dick Miller, a genre stalwart, plays an army sergeant whose platoon is hunting the alien down...but what can they hope to do to "It" if they find it? Critics often blast this movie's special effects, and there's no denying they really aren't that special. But the script doesn't demand a lot of dazzling pyrotechnics, except for the climax, and the lack of high-end spectacle doesn't really take anything away from the drama. The creature design for "It" is much-maligned, but there is something wonderfully malevolent about "It" that overcomes any shortcomings. In any event, "It" spends most of the film lurking in the shadows, where many cinematic monsters are more frightening anyway. Despite the lack of sophisticated FX, even by 50s standards, the story itself draws you inexorably in, and the effects, limited as they are, nonetheless work within the context of the overall plot.Beyond the natural problems generated by the miniscule budget--most of which Corman manages to overcome--the film's biggest problem is pacing. The script, character driven as it is, is necessarily rather talky. Much of the dialog is vital to the surprisingly philosophical plot, but the relative dearth of action is a genuine weakness, and the film does feel rather longer than it really is. While there are moments of humor, the script generally takes itself quite seriously, and the performers do a good job of avoiding the temptation to surrender to parody.It Conquered the World is hard to find these days, but if you can locate a used tape or catch it on late-night TV there are few sci-fi gems from the great 50s that can equal its ambition and creativity. Well-written, competently acted and imaginatively directed, It Coqnuered the World is one of the best b-movies ever made.