Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (aka Invasion of the Flying Saucers, Flying Saucers from Outer Space, and Invasion of the Flying Saucers) is a 1956 American black-and-white science fiction film from Columbia Pictures, produced by Charles H. Schneer and Sam Katzman, directed by Fred F. Sears, and starring Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor. The film’s storyline was suggested by the bestselling, non-fiction book Flying Saucers from Outer Space by Maj. Donald Keyhoe.
The technical effects created by Ray Harryhausen come off excellently in the Charles H. Schneer production, adding the required out-of-this-world visual touch to the screenplay, taken from a screen story by Curt Siodmak, suggested by Major Donald E. Keyhoe’s Flying Saucers from Outer Space.”
The stop-motion animation special effects in the film were created by Ray Harryhausen. Special effects expert Ray Harryhausen animated the film’s flying saucers using stop-motion animation. Harryhausen also animated the falling masonry when saucers crash into various government buildings and monuments in order to make the action appear realistic. Some figure animation was used to show the aliens emerging from the saucers.
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers has reached an iconic status in that many films in the “flying saucer” subgenre that followed, imitated and incorporated many of the elements established by Ray Harryhausen.
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers was well received by audiences and critics alike, with Variety noting that the special effects were the real stars of the film. “This exploitation programmer does a satisfactory job of entertaining in the science-fiction class.
Source [Wikipedia]
- This part of the Atlantis all new 5″ UFO Series. It’s the relentless Attack saucer designed by Legendary effects Master Ray Harryhausen.
- The model features our new Twist-Tite Technology. The kit assembles in Minutes, ready for display. No glue needed.
- A card stock backdrop display will be included to show your Attack UFO on the White House lawn!
- Kit includes a ready to use LED Light with batteries, Display stand, Card Stock Backdrop.
- Injection Model in Translucent highly detailed Polystyrene.
- Kit can be assembled as Ground Assault or Skyhook Attack mode.
- Skill level 1. Easy assembly For ages 8 and up.
- MSRP: $14.99 US
Little over 2 weeks ago I received this Attack Saucer from the cult-classic movie Earth vs The Flying Saucers from Atlantis Models. It is a Skill Level 1 which means is an easy to put together model. No glue or paint is necessary. The model already comes molded in Silver and it is up to the model builder to paint it or not. As with all models molded in Silver, they tend to have a marblelized finish produced by the injection process. to give this Attack Saucer a better look, I used Krylon Short Cuts SCS-032 Chrome. This is a very inexpensive paint available the craft stores.
As with other model kits from Atlantis Models, the Attack Saucer comes with an LED light emitter. I found no use for it (for the moment) but if you want to add some drama it can be placed on the landing tube. This light emitter has a place inside the model but it could only be visible if Atlantis decides to go with a clear version. So from my assumption they are just thinking ahead of time and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a clear version.
I love the included backdrop featuring that art-deco style illustration from back in the day. If you love everything Flying Saucer (I do) or have a soft spot for those classic movies from yesterdays, you don’t want to miss this kit. It is around 5” making it ideal for your home or office desk display. There is not a lot of surface detail but upon inspection of reference material, Atlantis nailed the detail on the lower hull found on the filming miniatures.
