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!