My top 10 Sci-Fi Movies of the 1960s

[katyseagull]

Well finally a couple movies I've seen!

A while back I rented 2001 Space Odyssey. It was when you guys were discussing Clockwork Orange. My first thought was holy crap this movie is old. I kept thinking how it reminded me of the Planet of the Apes (I mean the beginning sequence) with a cheesy 1960's feel. But there's something about science fiction from that era I really like.

Anyway, as I got into it I had two more realizations. First, that Kubrick was a genius to get the effects he did with the older technology, but second, that there was hardly any action or dialogue. So while I loved the premise of the film (the computer trying to thwart mans most important space mission), the pacing was brutal for me and I went back and forth between being in awe to being bored out of my mind. I could barely sit through the whole thing. And the ending...wtf? That is THE most confusing ending I've ever had to sit through.

I like the way Kubrick portrays the loneliness of space and his use of music to fill the silence. Also the voices of Dave and Hal are kind of haunting. It is definitely unique but I don't have any clue as to what Kubrick was trying to say.


Planet of The Apes:
Yah. Yah! I love this movie and its hackneyed dialogue. Charlton Heston rules. "Get your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape." And that scene where they're being hunted in the corn field...wow. Good call db, this movie is awesome. It’s a great Sunday afternoon movie. I liked Beneath the Planet of the Apes too, though it's pretty weird and dark. Lots of social commentary in these which I find interesting. I'm glad there are others out there who like these films.

[Peter666]

"2001: A Space Odyssey" still has the best special effects of any movie ever. It is untrue to say it is dated. The landing on the moon etc are absolutely perfect.

"Dr. Strangeglove" is not science fiction and should not be included on this list.

"Planet of the Apes" is a great second choice.

[Borodog]

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8) Planet of the Vampires (Terrore nello spazio)

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I'm watching this right now. I have to tell you, it is not looking good. I hate pseudotechnical jargon than a nine year old would know is [censored].

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Calm down! Concentrate on the pictures, not the naff dubbing. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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OK, it did turn out to be a decent flick. And the parallels with Alien were sometimes startling; so much so that I wouldn't be surprised if I learned lawsuits had been filed.

I can't decide if I like the gimmick/twist ending or not.

[Phat Mack]

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9) The War Game

This was made in 1965, and still is shocking as hell. Dealing with the build-up and then aftermath of a nuclear attack on an English town in a pseudo-documentary style, and banned by the BBC when it was made(the BBC commissioned it), this is still a powerful little movie that lays down what can happen when decision-making gets detached from plain humanity.

One that should be shown to everyone that thinks that America (or any other nation) would be justified in using nuclear weapons in anything even close to civilian areas.


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It took me a while to remember this one. This is a great pick. When this movie came out, it caused quite a stir in the U.S. also. I saw it in 1972, on a double bill with Culloden, and both flicks had an enormous impact on me. I haven't seen either one since. In fact, this is the first time I've heard a Peter Watkins flick mentioned in decades. "Shocking as hell" is right.