Drive in Movie Double Feature: Creation & War [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is another excellent release from Dark Sky Films, a drive in double feature, with an authentic feel, thanks to the way it is lovingly presented, complete with feature breaks and forthcoming attractions. It brings the magic of the cinema into ones own home. Anyway, onto the films
The first feature 'War Between The Planets' concerns the discovery of a rogue planet causing gravitational disturbances on Planet Earth, and a mission to the aforementioned planet to make right the situation. It is a rather dull affair for the most part, with stone faced Commander Rod Jackson(Giancomo Rossi-Stuart) spending as much time arguing with his crew, and moaning about his love life, as actually trying to stop the destruction of Earth. Rossi-Stuart comes across as an Italian hybrid of Doug Mclure and Lee Majors, but is a bit wooden in the part to say the least, with his extrodinary hair-do showing more life than his performance.
However, once our intrepid team land on the rogue planet and descend underneath the surface to the living, breathing depths, the films suddenly comes to life, and develops a weird, trippy atmosphere. This part of the film I enjoyed immensly. All in all, a typical matinee Space Opera, enjoyable but rather pedestrian. 3 out of 5
Now to discuss the main reason to buy this great DVD. Creation Of The Humanoids. The film starts with an off screen narrator explaining that due to a nuclear war, most of the Earth's population has been wiped out. In order for society to function, experiments to build more advanced robots continued, culminating in the creation of the humanoid R21 model, human in appearance but incapable of emotions.
The story starts with two of these humanoids, visiting a 'robot temple', a place where humans are forbidden to enter. Enter Captain Kenneth Craigis(Don Megowan) into the equation. He's a level 8 Security Officer for an organisation called The Order Of Flesh And Blood. He's suspicious of the two humanoids, as one has no identity card. His suspicions are aroused further when only one humanoid leaves the temple accompanied by a human. Craigis and his partner follow the two to the laboratory of Dr Raven(Don Doolittle!!!). When they enter, the Doctor is dead, and in a struggle, it is discovered that the human accompanying the humanoid is in fact a humanoid as well. Craigus has a fear of the spread of the humanoids, and presents these findings to the Flesh and Blood committee. All is going well, until he is told his sister Esme has entered into a relationship with a humanoid Pax, jeapordising his career.
This is a film built mainly on words, and not on actions. However, please don't let that put you off, as the dialogue is terrific, offering discourses on what it means to be human, racism and technophobia. The budget may be miniscule, but its a great example of how a little invention and imagination can overcome any budgetary limitations, as the film is so great that the sparse sets, and lack of special effects matter not one jot, when the acting and script are of such a high calibre.
Megowan is brilliant as the confused, embittered Craigus, and the rest of the cast are also excellent. Also with a great, if unsuprising plot twist towards the end, and Dudley Manlove(Plan Nine From Outer Space) playing a humanoid called Lagan. Theres only one thing that is dissapointing. That is that this film is a criminally neglected masterpiece of Science Fiction cinema,and deserves far more recognition. Highly recommended. 5 out of 5
My final word must go to the Dark Sky release though. Its wonderful to see a DVD distributor paying so much love and attention to the films they release. I wish that they would bring out many more of these great Drive-in doubles. Bravo Dark Sky and all hail Craigus! 5 out of 5 for the whole package

Creation of the Humanoids - If Oscar Wilde had been alive in 1962, he might have written the screenplay; possibly as a tribute to Alan Turing. As an engineer by training and the author of 21st century robot romance 'Automatic Lover', I had to clench my teeth at the way some enormous engineering challenges are glossed over. But the characters are so engaging that I loved it anyway.

War between the Planets - This film appears to distill the essence of a space war hero adventure in the way Ravel's 'La Valse' distills the essence of a waltz.