IT! The Terror From Beyond Space is an instant classic for those who like this genre of film (specifically sci-fi flicks from the 50's and B-movies.) I won't bother giving a synopsis, as you can find that anywhere on this website and elsewhere, but I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how good this flick was. I got this on a DVD that also included Monster That Challenged The World, and while I bought it for Monster That Challenged The World, it was IT! that became my favorite of the two. IT! starts out a little slow like most movies of its time, but it's actually very well paced for these kinds of films. You see the Martian Monster quite a bit. The whole movie has this panic-y feel to it, as it's basically focused on a space crew stuck on a rocket ship with a VIOLENT alien from Mars. They basically have to keep trying to kill the monster until it chases them up to the very top and final level of the spaceship. There's a GREAT, CREEPY atmosphere created through wonderful lighting, and eerie, yet really good sounding music. The ending was really disappointing though, as they end up killing the beast by depriving him of oxygen...even though he's from Mars? There's also smoking, bazookas, grenades, and guns being fired on the ship. What could go wrong?!?! All in all, this movie is very entertaining, all logical fallacies aside, and grabs you instantly, if you're a fan of this kind of movie. John Carpenter has gone on record to say he loves it, and it was a HUGE inspiration for Ridley Scott's "Alien. "

In the "future" year of 1973, mankind has launched an unsuccessful mission to Mars. The only survivor is Colonel Carruthers (Marshall Thompson), who's due to face a court martial back on Earth because everybody assumes that he killed his companions. However, the real culprit is an imposing, bipedal Martian monster (Ray "Crash" Corrigan), which has snuck on board the spaceship that is returning Carruthers to Earth.Much like the characters in the sci-fi / horror classic "The Thing from Another World", the people here are forced to keep thinking on their feet. It seems that no conventional weapon is capable of destroying the beast.For a modern viewer, this may not be that scary, or even that suspenseful. But it sure as hell is a lot of fun. Commonly cited as a principal influence on "Alien" 21 years later, it benefits from a very straightforward story (concocted by noted writer Jerome Bixby) with very little fat. It certainly has to rank as one of the top achievements for cult director Edward L. Cahn, who wastes little time in getting to the good stuff. It also has some memorable images, such as the sight of Its' victims after It has been at them. Prolific monster maker of the era Paul Blaisdell designed "It", and it's one of his best creations, a particularly ugly thing given some real physical menace by Corrigan.The cast is aces, playing their material with the straightest of faces. Thompson is very well supported by Dabbs Greer (one of this viewers' favorite character actors), Shirley Patterson, Kim Spalding, Ann Doran, and Paul Langton.Essential viewing for any lover of 1950s genre cinema.Seven out of 10.

I was in grade school when I use to watch this movie. It came on after school about every year along with many other cheap B movies of the day. I watched it every year. Being a young kid who loved science fiction this movie was great. I am watching it again on Comet TV network and still though I am 62 I really like the movie.

I also saw this at the movie theater when first released. I have always felt it was one of the better 50' sci-fi movies. But I must say it is not for everyone, my wife watched it with me a few years ago on TV and could not understand my love of this movie. I thought then and still do now that for a limited budget, scenes mainly only on a spaceship that the movie was totally enjoyable. I must also say I remember the leading actress, a very beautiful woman who to me looked like Janet Leigh when she was in Psycho. All the male actors gave very professional performances for,again, a 50's sci-fi movie. If you do enjoy these types of movies, please give this one a look.