Review of It Conquered the World (1956) by James B — 29 May 2009

Ah, the days in which men zipped around the countryside in old cars on seemingly ineffectual missions and fought off alien intruders while wearing unscathed business suits, all while willingly being swept up into the Cold War fears as easily as they sweep their wives up into their arms.

The movie holds some strong moments, some surprising things for an American B-film of the mid 1950s, including a woman directly attacking the alien while telling her she will see it in hell, allusions to rape, and a man set on fire.

Despite these moments and some cool looking control creatures that look like manta rays, the movie falls into the trap of being yet another jaded, fearful existential Cold War allegory.