1965, Directed by Gordon Flemyng

“Men of steel”? They’re obviously not men, are they? Tch.

A strange off-shoot and ‘re-imagining’ of the terrifyingly long-running TV series Doctor Who, this was made to cash in on the ‘Dalekmania’ of the time. Which was a bit like Beatlemania, only it involved less music and more extermination and steam.

The TV Doctor character was ditched for a human inventor played by Peter Cushing, apparently as he was more well known to the American market. Veteran trumpeter and all-round nice guy Roy Castle appears as… well… himself, and a couple of kids tag along too to add a human element. The Daleks themselves seem to come in every imaginable colour and flavour, and seemingly explode at the drop of a hat.

This did well enough to spawn a sequel (Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.) where the steam-shooting pepperpots lay waste to a future Earth, although from what I remember their vision of London in 2150 was exactly like London actually was in 1950.

Favourite bit: At the start when Peter Cushing is speaking and the camera cuts to Roy Castle looking shifty, despite the way he’s obviously looking shocked and apologetic immediately before. And after.

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AKA Project Genocide, War of the Aliens, Alien Encounter

1977, Directed by Ed Hunt

Not just one invasion, but several! At least you get your money’s worth.

So… the Forces from the Black Void have fairly simple-looking flying saucers and astonishingly appalling dress sense. But at least they can “communicate with time”, whatever that means.

This was released about six months after Star Wars – It’s not hard to see why Starship Invasions disappeared in the shadow of it. Those silver ‘robots’ would have been an embarrassment at a school play.

Apparently Christopher Lee plays the villain in this. Pity they didn’t show him in the trailer (unless that’s his eyes 15 seconds in).

Favourite bit: The robot falling down the shaft.

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AKA Kronos: Destroyer of the Universe, Kronos: Ravager of Planets

1957, Directed by Kurt Neumann

A vanguard of sudden death! Science fiction’s biggest thrill sensation! A busload of excessive hyperbole!

So then – A giant cartoon obelisk (seemingly made out of stealth Lego) comes out of a UFO and starts draining the world’s energy. I wonder if there’s a metaphor for communism in there somewhere, as movies from the late fifties were rife with such things.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be a more serious science fiction film than the trailer would have us believe. I wouldn’t put any money on it, though.

Favourite bit: “Emotional Assault” – Oh, come on.

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AKA The Adventures of Stella Star, Star Battle Encounters, Female Space Invaders

1979, Directed by Luigi Cozzi

Yes, I know, you’ve probably seen this one before.  But I’m a sucker for space heroes with bad perms.

An obvious cash-in on the Star Wars phenomenon, Starcrash goes as far as to blatantly steal several elements from Lucas’ space opera.  And the giant stop-motion animated robots are clearly influenced by Ray Harryhausen’s famous special effects work.  In fact, Starcrash appears to be Star Wars meets Clash of the Titans with added half-naked ladies.  Star Clash of the Tits?  In all fairness to a low budget production, however, the special effects in this trailer do look pretty good by late seventies standards.

Germany’s favourite singer, the mighty David Hasselhoff was in this film, but tragically doesn’t appear in this trailer.  Disappointing.

Favourite bit:  The silhouette shot where the permed chap activates his lightsaber and it makes a comedy “voooOOOP!” noise.

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