Village of the Damned / Children of the Damned Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Children are the enemy!

This atmospheric rendition of John Wyndham's science fiction novel, The Midwich Cuckoos, is a typical British film of the era - slow moving, subtle, and above all psychological. There are few special effects, only two explosions, the rest is all down to first rate acting, crisp direction by Wolf Rilla and a great script. Small budgets always make for the best horror. The acting is first class with George Sanders, Barbara Shelley and Michael Gwynn as the beleaguered adults facing evolutionary extinction. The 'aliens' are a group of telepathic, blonde and chillingly composed children who were all born on the same day nine months after a mysterious 'dayout' when everyone in Midwich became unconscious. This type of intelligent science fiction has been replaced by special effects and CGI-driven nonsense from the States - watch this and you will not forget it - a real treat for science fiction fans! The record player winding down as the listeners lie on the floor; the tractor churning through the mud in circles with an unconscious driver are iconic!

Well worth seeing.

Dreadful acting, by turns hammy or wooden, and uninspired dialogue, but the central theme - the fear that adults have of children as they grow up into independent beings- is so novel that the film is worth watching for that alone. Add to that the period touches - the smoking doctor, the dreadful stigma attached to pregnant single women, the isolation of rural English life - and this film is well worth seeing. Perhaps if it was better made it would detract from its fascination. Watch it for sociological reasons but don't expect artistic genius.