- Format: Box set, PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 7
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Universal Pictures UK
- DVD Release Date: 1 Oct 2007
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000RF9YXM
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 22,173 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details |
Reviews
Synopsis
Features the science fiction films Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1955), Thing From Another World, Incredible Shrinking Man, This Island Earth, The Creature From the Black Lagoon, It Came From Outer Space and Tarantula.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
111 of 112 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What with their impressive roster of 1930s GOTHIC-HORROR chillers and this batch of essential 1950s sci-fi, UNIVERSAL have served, extremely well, the requirements of those interested in fantasy cinema that stretches further back than just the latest multiplex blockbuster.
In their day, these were amongst the all-time highlights on offer in this field, and though they are obviously the result of significantly lesser budgets than today's glossy-but-mostly-braindead cinematic outings, these movies retain the personal stamp of the creators who filmed them, and as a result are more personal--and engaging-----than much of today's sprawling epics, which tend to bludgeon the viewer senseless with non-stop spectacle.
Anyone caring to build a DVD collection of 1950s sci-fi classics can do so now very cheaply [although 'FORBIDDEN PLANET' and the first two 'QUATERMASS' movies are at time of writing, fairly expensive]: most decent films of this genre from other studios, like FOX'S 'DAY THE earth STOOD STILL', 'THE FLY', PARAMOUNT'S 'WAR of the WORLDS' etc,are available at a reasonable price, and this boxset of 7 UNIVERSAL outings are a fine cornerstone of such a collection.
Housed in 7 individual 'slimline' cases which may anger some purists---but it's not an issue for me-----with decent extras in the cases of ' LAGOON' and 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE', the only colour entry [there were relatively few 50s sci-fi movies shot in colour] is pulp-action adventure 'THIS ISLAND EARTH'.
All of these films are worthy additions to the serious buff, but personal highlights include 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE' [here enjoying a lavish, ultra-clear treatment] and 1957s' 'INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN', which remains THE superior essay of searing, escalating 1950s paranoia.
The only disappointment I had here was in the less-than-satisfactory print of 1956's 'INVASION of the BODY SNATCHERS', rightly regarded as a genuine classic in this category, a low-key but apocalyptic nightmare vision of stolen identity on a global scale: given UNIVERSAL'S usually impeccable record in putting out decent-quality prints from their back-catalogue, it's rare indeed that the quality of such a noted piece should be adequate/merely watchable rather than pristine and cleaned-up, as it obviously deserves.
I hope to cover the individual films here [on their own merits] at some point, and until a decent print of 'BODY SNATCHERS' finally emerges--if ever------this overall set is highly reccomended, and represents fine value, and still worthy of 5 stars.
P.S. 'TARANTULA' is also on here, but sometimes omitted from descriptions: it's another fine 'mutated insect on rampage' outing.
In their day, these were amongst the all-time highlights on offer in this field, and though they are obviously the result of significantly lesser budgets than today's glossy-but-mostly-braindead cinematic outings, these movies retain the personal stamp of the creators who filmed them, and as a result are more personal--and engaging-----than much of today's sprawling epics, which tend to bludgeon the viewer senseless with non-stop spectacle.
Anyone caring to build a DVD collection of 1950s sci-fi classics can do so now very cheaply [although 'FORBIDDEN PLANET' and the first two 'QUATERMASS' movies are at time of writing, fairly expensive]: most decent films of this genre from other studios, like FOX'S 'DAY THE earth STOOD STILL', 'THE FLY', PARAMOUNT'S 'WAR of the WORLDS' etc,are available at a reasonable price, and this boxset of 7 UNIVERSAL outings are a fine cornerstone of such a collection.
Housed in 7 individual 'slimline' cases which may anger some purists---but it's not an issue for me-----with decent extras in the cases of ' LAGOON' and 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE', the only colour entry [there were relatively few 50s sci-fi movies shot in colour] is pulp-action adventure 'THIS ISLAND EARTH'.
All of these films are worthy additions to the serious buff, but personal highlights include 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE' [here enjoying a lavish, ultra-clear treatment] and 1957s' 'INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN', which remains THE superior essay of searing, escalating 1950s paranoia.
The only disappointment I had here was in the less-than-satisfactory print of 1956's 'INVASION of the BODY SNATCHERS', rightly regarded as a genuine classic in this category, a low-key but apocalyptic nightmare vision of stolen identity on a global scale: given UNIVERSAL'S usually impeccable record in putting out decent-quality prints from their back-catalogue, it's rare indeed that the quality of such a noted piece should be adequate/merely watchable rather than pristine and cleaned-up, as it obviously deserves.
I hope to cover the individual films here [on their own merits] at some point, and until a decent print of 'BODY SNATCHERS' finally emerges--if ever------this overall set is highly reccomended, and represents fine value, and still worthy of 5 stars.
P.S. 'TARANTULA' is also on here, but sometimes omitted from descriptions: it's another fine 'mutated insect on rampage' outing.
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Seven 'old classic' Sci-Fi films a couple of which are truly classic and a couple of which are simply 'old'.
1) Invasion of the Bodysnatchers: the original and the best. Far outstrips any of the remakes being genuinely scary. (Anti-communism being the drive.)
2) Tarantula: giant spider wreaks havoc on a small part of Arizona. Not exactly terrifying to the modern watcher but fraught with warning. Considering this film is 55 years old it manages to point out that meddling with Mother Nature to improve and increase foodstocks (as in Genetically Modified Crops) is not to be entered into lightly.
3) The Thing from Another World: the original version of the film best known by 'John Carpenter's The Thing'. It lacks the menace of Carpenter's version and the alien is too easily destroyed. Whilst defintely a classic sci-fi film its classicism comes more from its style, acting and direction rather than its portrayal of the original story "Who Goes There?" Well worth watching but I prefer John Carpenter's The Thing.
4) Creature from the Black Lagoon: Superb creature-feature with terrific acting and script. One of the best of all time and with a remake due next year (2011) you owe it to yourself to watch this first.
5) This Island Earth: Metaluna is under attack by the warlike Zargons who are intent on destroying Metaluna by throwing piloted comets at it. The Metalunans only hope lays in gaining control of an atomic power source capabale of powering their vast planet-covering forcefield, so they coerce human scientists into building this device to aid 'world-peace'. Of course time runs out and the supreme Metalunans had decided to take over Earth for themselves but their planet is destroyed before they can leave. Basically a daft (there are too many holes in the plot/scheme of the Metalunans) but fun film.
6) The Incredible Shrinking Man: Simply a fabulous film one of the top ten sci-fi movies of all time. Tight script, direction and, above all, plot make this one sci-fi movie that should be seen. Black and White it may be but it is a superbly colourful story. (I suggest comparing the 'horror' of the 100 foot tarantula in 'Tarantula' with the genuine horror of a common house spider when you're only an inch[2.5cm] tall.).
7)It Came from Outer Space: From Ray Badbury's story, a spacecraft crashes in the remote Arizona desert - before the advent of CGI it was easier to 'destroy' cactii, rocks and caves than buildings, bridges and cities - and only one couple see it happen. Naturally nobody believes them until it's too late. Amazing how much suspense can be created by a water bubble filter. A true classic, expect to be entertained not taught.
So as a set I would suggest it is a must for the serious sci-fi fan. It will also help you work out some of the more subtle geek comments in 'The Big Bang Theory'.
1) Invasion of the Bodysnatchers: the original and the best. Far outstrips any of the remakes being genuinely scary. (Anti-communism being the drive.)
2) Tarantula: giant spider wreaks havoc on a small part of Arizona. Not exactly terrifying to the modern watcher but fraught with warning. Considering this film is 55 years old it manages to point out that meddling with Mother Nature to improve and increase foodstocks (as in Genetically Modified Crops) is not to be entered into lightly.
3) The Thing from Another World: the original version of the film best known by 'John Carpenter's The Thing'. It lacks the menace of Carpenter's version and the alien is too easily destroyed. Whilst defintely a classic sci-fi film its classicism comes more from its style, acting and direction rather than its portrayal of the original story "Who Goes There?" Well worth watching but I prefer John Carpenter's The Thing.
4) Creature from the Black Lagoon: Superb creature-feature with terrific acting and script. One of the best of all time and with a remake due next year (2011) you owe it to yourself to watch this first.
5) This Island Earth: Metaluna is under attack by the warlike Zargons who are intent on destroying Metaluna by throwing piloted comets at it. The Metalunans only hope lays in gaining control of an atomic power source capabale of powering their vast planet-covering forcefield, so they coerce human scientists into building this device to aid 'world-peace'. Of course time runs out and the supreme Metalunans had decided to take over Earth for themselves but their planet is destroyed before they can leave. Basically a daft (there are too many holes in the plot/scheme of the Metalunans) but fun film.
6) The Incredible Shrinking Man: Simply a fabulous film one of the top ten sci-fi movies of all time. Tight script, direction and, above all, plot make this one sci-fi movie that should be seen. Black and White it may be but it is a superbly colourful story. (I suggest comparing the 'horror' of the 100 foot tarantula in 'Tarantula' with the genuine horror of a common house spider when you're only an inch[2.5cm] tall.).
7)It Came from Outer Space: From Ray Badbury's story, a spacecraft crashes in the remote Arizona desert - before the advent of CGI it was easier to 'destroy' cactii, rocks and caves than buildings, bridges and cities - and only one couple see it happen. Naturally nobody believes them until it's too late. Amazing how much suspense can be created by a water bubble filter. A true classic, expect to be entertained not taught.
So as a set I would suggest it is a must for the serious sci-fi fan. It will also help you work out some of the more subtle geek comments in 'The Big Bang Theory'.
111 of 113 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It Came From Outer Space (1953)
-------------------------------
Commentaries: Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver
Extras:
"The Universe According to Universal" - an original documentary on 'It Came from Outer Space' (31:46)
Photograph and poster gallery (5:08)
Theatrical trailer (1:18)
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English HoH, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Invasion of the Body Snatchers AKA Sleep No More (1956)
------------------------------------------------------
Subtitles: English HoH
Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Note: Two versions of the movie, color & black/white
Thing From Another World (The) AKA The Thing (1951)
---------------------------------------------------
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Incredible Shrinking Man (The) (1957)
-------------------------------------
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s):
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
French Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Russian Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Notes: Coded R2/R4/R5
This Island Earth
-----------------
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Tarantula (1955)
----------------
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono; German Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Notes: Coded R2/R4/R5
Creature from the Black Lagoon (The) (1954)
-------------------------------------------
Commentaries: Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver (subtitled)
Extras:
Photo gallery
"Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle" -documentary (39:25 min)
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English, Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Czech, Hungarian, and Romanian
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
Notes: Region 2/4 encoded
-------------------------------
Commentaries: Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver
Extras:
"The Universe According to Universal" - an original documentary on 'It Came from Outer Space' (31:46)
Photograph and poster gallery (5:08)
Theatrical trailer (1:18)
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English HoH, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Invasion of the Body Snatchers AKA Sleep No More (1956)
------------------------------------------------------
Subtitles: English HoH
Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Note: Two versions of the movie, color & black/white
Thing From Another World (The) AKA The Thing (1951)
---------------------------------------------------
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Incredible Shrinking Man (The) (1957)
-------------------------------------
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s):
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
French Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Russian Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Notes: Coded R2/R4/R5
This Island Earth
-----------------
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Tarantula (1955)
----------------
Subtitles: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish and Swedish
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono; German Dolby Digital 2.0 Dual Mono
Notes: Coded R2/R4/R5
Creature from the Black Lagoon (The) (1954)
-------------------------------------------
Commentaries: Audio commentary by film historian Tom Weaver (subtitled)
Extras:
Photo gallery
"Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle" -documentary (39:25 min)
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English, Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Czech, Hungarian, and Romanian
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Picture Format: Non-Anamorphic
TV System: PAL
Soundtrack(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
Notes: Region 2/4 encoded
Most Recent Customer Reviews
good value package
I bought this set just to get "This Island Earth" as a nostalgia trip. This movie still stands comparisom with modern products given that all sci/fi and fantasy requires a fair... Read more
Published 5 months ago by I. Baxter
Great for any Sci-Fi fan!
I got this for someone as a Christmas present, it had to be given early since he otherwise would have watched all of them on his computer. Read more
Published 5 months ago by It crawls!
excellent
a real bargain all these classics in a bargain box an excellnt must by for classic sci fi collectors go by it now
Published 6 months ago by george dobbie
Classic Sci Fi
Fantastic collection. Had planned on getting around to seeing these for some time. A wonderful box set thoroughly recommended for any sci-fi fans or indeed film fans in general.
Published 7 months ago by g man
just great and fun !!
what to say, except it's a classic !! excellent quality & a definetly must have to your collection . 12 days delivery to Belgium is "unacceptable"..
Published 7 months ago by Roberto Sedda
classic sci-fi
All these films are worth watching, they are classics and show the genre as it is. A must for anyone's collection.
Published 7 months ago by Simeon
Good value
The standard of these films is mixed but I expected that when I bought the set. Some like 'The Thing' are excellant and some maybe not so, but overall there's plenty of value for... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Paul Godden
Classic Sci-Fi Collection
Great sci-fi collection. Delighted because those collections are hardly or even not to find in Belgium. Some of the pictures have Dutch subtitles.
Published 8 months ago by Moviefever
good old sci fi
if you like the old sci fi pics you cannot beat this
good value for money.
have enjoyed it over and over again.
good value for money.
have enjoyed it over and over again.
Published 10 months ago by crafterjune
Alot of fun for a little money
This boxset is such good value and all 7 films are either brilliant or watchable. the Incredible Shrinking Man ,the Thing, Creature From The Black Lagoon and this Island Earth are... Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. Mccaffrey
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
