Gamma I Quadrilogy Vol. 2

source: Gamma I Quadrilogy Vol. 2

Trailer—I diafanoidi vengono da Marte

I diafanoidi vengono da Marte

Rated 9 for the Kitsch factor!! I do have a problem, it says that the role of Jake (what's his name) is played by Franco Nero, but I do believe it's played by Terence HIll, who lately can be seen on MHz Networks in Don Matteo. And he was also in the 'Trinity' movies in the 1970's. One thing I do love about these Italian movies is that the music (opening/closing themes) is nicely done. Franco Nero was in Wild Wild Planet. I could be wrong because they're both handsome blue-eyed Italians but I'm pretty sure about that. I think Wild WIld Planet is my favorite. It's SO pre-Stepford Wives. It's the height of corn, but it cracks me up every time I watch it. Very contemporary for the mid 60's....I love all the sleek design costumes, cars, and furniture. And of course, who wouldn't have a crush on Captain Mike!!

I have no idea if my title above constitutes a spoiler. As a serious movie, I give it a 1. As a comedy-farce, it's so much better. Now, I'll admit part of the reason I found it funny was because my hubby sat here doing his own Mystery Science Theater 3000 commentary. I swear the "for the good of the whole" riff and so forth was inspiration for the ST:NG Borg. Of course, "taking over the human race" plots are not remotely new, but the "for the good of the universe; no war, no pain, you must join with us" deal is so reminiscent of the Borg that it's even funnier to me.

With the advent of space travel, many space stations are sent into the cosmos. It's New Year's Eve. Space station Alpha-Two is attacked by the Deafenoids which brainwash its crew. Captain Tice and his crew find the Alpha-Two crew frozen and they come under attack themselves. It's an Italian spaghetti sci-fi movie. The actors are dubbed. It has 50's sci-fi designs with a dash of 60's style. It's European. It's not that imaginative but the miniature work is silly fun. The spacewalks are ridiculous. It's bad but there is some fun with the weird mix of badness. The actors are not helped by the stiff dialogue. The story is essentially The Fog in space which limits any action. People rarely run in this movie. There is an all-out brawl later in the movie but it's too late by then. This is begging to be mocked in a fun way.

C'mon! It's so bad that it's almost funny! Those costumes would be great for a fantasy party! Hairdryers for communicators, flame pistols and gas propelled spaceships... It's a miracle that they did not set fire to the stage! It's a pity that we never get to see those evil aliens, except in the form of that green spray. I'm sure it would have been fun! nd that plot... If it wasn't for the large amounts of bad acting, I would almost feel sorry for those actors! Also be ware of some outrageously sexist scenes. The special effects would be already outdated in 1955 not to mention in 1965... Oh! The spacewalks are hilarious, not to mention the planets and the spaceships! All together it might have cost around $35... Watch it for the fun!

The first rule of a plot is that it should make some sense. There are so many holes in this thing that it defies any sort of credibility. The first half hour is endless, as there is so much talk and little action. Also, the ridiculous New Year's Eve party is laughable. Those space walks make no sense since the propulsion is non existent. Then we have the aliens from Mars. It's never clear why they are so clumsy in their methods. Why didn't they just do away with the guys who are causing them problems? Oh well. I learned long ago not to expect every film to be Citizen Kane.

I have seen this film just once - back in 1969 when it got a second release as a morning show in one of the local cinemas in my hometown, Bangalore. All right, it is blatantly outlandish and extremely B-movie from the Italian stable, but as with many European films of its genre, has its moments. I thought that some of the special effects were very impressive - particularly the HAPPY NEW YEAR formation spacewalk by the astronauts in the beginning of the film. The 'invasion' of humans by the green Martian 'space mist' is decidedly silly from modern standards, but that and several other scenes in the film do raise unintentional laughs. Tony Russell is the obligatory American lead intended for the Western market but it is nice to see a young Franco Nero in one of his early roles. The sets are occasionally creaky but not as bad as some reviews make out. In all, a worthwhile addition to anyones camp-movie collection if it is ever released on DVD.

It's not even close to being the best spaghetti science-fiction film ever made - far from it, in fact - but Antonio Margheriti's War of the Planets is another refugee from TNT's 100% Weird that recently popped up commercial free (and sadly pan and scan) on Turner Classic Movies. Starring American expat Tony Russel - who got his screen start as a bartender in Elvis' King Creole - as the commander of Earth's space forces, War of the Planets is a very low-budget story of alien invaders attacking our solar system from their base on Mars. The aliens, ever mindful of the filmmakers' need to keep costs down, are represented by dry ice and flashing green lights. The great Franco Nero co-stars and there's a suitably spacey Angelo Francesco Lavagnino score.