Search - Strange Invaders on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Not For Children, Adult Language, Gore, Sci-Fi Violence, Scary Moments Movie Release: 1983 DVD Release: 11/20/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 33 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Science Fiction, Alien Film

In this subtly humorous, alien-invasion film by Michael Laughlin, who co-wrote the screenplay with William Condon, the aliens infiltrate a small Midwestern town in 1958 and beam the "spirits" of several of the townspeople up to their spacecraft in little blue bubbles, while they settle into the bodies of their new farm personae. But Margaret (Diana Scarwid), one of their number, leaves for life and marriage in New York and has a daughter Elizabeth by her earthling husband Charles Bigelow (Paul LeMat), a professor. After two decades or so go by, the aliens opt for returning to their home planet, but they have to first go to the city dressed as farmers and round up Margaret and her daughter. Soon Charles figures out what is going on with the help of the tough, optimistic Betty Walker (Nancy Allen), a reporter for a tabloid paper, and the two head to the town where it all started.The light contrast between the bucolic '50s and the street-wise '80s gives way to a few shocking scenes of repugnant aliens in transformation with formidable special effects. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Paul Le Mat - Charles Bigelow
Nancy Allen - Betty Walker
Diana Scarwid - Margaret
Michael Lerner - Willie Collins
Louise Fletcher - Mrs. Benjamin

Michael Laughlin's humorous homage to '50s science fiction films, Strange Invaders comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary with Laughlin and screenwriter William Condon, and the original theatrical trailer. These fine features, along with the inexpensive list price, make this MGM/UA disc an interesting item for both genre enthusiasts and anyone looking for something out of the ordinary. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide