Plan 9 From Outer Space
Amazon.co.uk Review
Sometimes a movie achieves such legendary status that it can’t quite live up to its reputation. Plan 9 from Outer Space is not one of these movies. It is just as magnificently terrible as you’ve heard. Plan 9 is the story of space aliens who try to conquer the Earth through resurrection of the dead. Psychic Criswell narrates (“Future events such as these will affect you in the future!”) as police rush through the cemetery, occasionally clipping the cardboard tombstones in their zeal to find the source of the mysterious goings-on. More than just a bad film, Plan 9 is something of a one-stop clearinghouse for poor cinematic techniques: the time shifts whimsically from midnight to afternoon sun, Tor Johnson flails desperately in an attempt to rise from his coffin, and flying saucers zoom past on clearly visible strings. Fading star Bela Lugosi tragically died during filming but such a small hurdle could not stop writer-producer-director Ed Wood. Lugosi is ingeniously replaced with a man who holds a cape across his face and might as well have “NOT BELA LUGOSI” stamped on his forehead. Plan 9 is so sweetly well intentioned in both its message and its execution that it’s impossible not to love it. And if you don’t, well, as Eros says, “You people of Earth are idiots!” –Ali Davis
Edward D.Wood Jr. was a filmmaking genius. Nobody could make films as bad as him if they even tried (and some have, just look at Batman & Robin). Plan 9 is his masterpeice. It’s completely awful but you just can’t help but watch it. You’ll be in hysterics at the “space ships” hanging from fishing wire, the Oscar worthy acting of Tor Johnson, the shakey cardboard cut out gravestones and the ever changing sunlight to name but a few. By the way keep an eye out for the detective in the graveyard scratching his head with the barrel of his loaded gun. The extras on the DVD are fantastic with a great and lengthy documentary which revisits the old studios, interviews the stars and some of the fans including Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel (their Tor Johnson impressions are priceless). If you like comedies then you love this unintentionally funny classic. You need to watch this because remember, “FUTURE EVENTS SUCH AS THESE WILL AFFECT YOU IN THE FUTURE.”
Rating: 5 / 5
Considered the worst film of all time but you can’t help but love it. The acting is awful, you’ll howl with laughter at the “special” effects and you’ll remain totally bewildered at the lack of continuity. The presence of Blea Lugosi or the lack of him is strangely charming as they continued the film with a stand in after his death. Plan 9 is a film so full of faults but strangely faultless. As for the DVD extras, well the documentary lasts longer than the movie but it can be a bit dull at times, however for once having trailers on a DVD is a genuine bonus as you see how the film was hyped. Buy this and pine for the golden age of Hollywood, a cult classic and undoubtedly Ed Wood’s masterpiece.
Rating: 5 / 5
A little backstory first…
Ed Wood will always be associated with incredibly inept directing,amazing goofs and plotholes and unintentionally comical scripts,taking on all-comers for title of worst director ever.People like Uwe Boll(House of the Dead,Bloodrayne),Paul Anderson (Resident Evil,Aliens vs Predator) and Hal Warren (Manos:the hands of fate,luckily his only film) may challenge Ed,but,at the end of the day,Ed remains as king.
Plan 9 is considered by many to be his magumn opus (I believe that even Ed described Plan 9 as his Citizen Kane in his diaries)
and,well,everything you’ve heard is true.Yes,Criswell really does say “Future events such as these will affect you in the future”,yes,Bela Lugosi is mostly played by a obvious stunt double (Bela died after Ed shot two minutes of footage) and yes,the string holding a UFO in mid-air does catch fire.
However,this is an essential purchase for any film buff’s collection.To be the worst film ever,it would have to be devoid of any entertainment,which Plan 9 has in spades.To really watch the worst films ever,just hunt down any of the thousands of straight to video horrors that come out every year.After those,you’ll be glad to go be to Plan 9.
In short,if you want a film to enjoy with your friends and to laugh at the lack of quality control,buy this.
If you want a masterpiece of film making,a classic that is universally regarded as a piece of art,avoid like the plague (But who actually watches that kind of film?).
Rating: 5 / 5
Yes, this is what is supposed to be the “worst movie” in Hollywood history by the “worst director” ever. This is the film that is the butt of so many running jokes and gags. And as terrible, goofy, stupid, and ridiculous as this movie is, it is still highly entertaining and enjoyable! “Plan 9 from Outer Space” is a memorable and silly film.
The movie focuses around aliens who orchestrate a plan to resurrect the dead to scare earthlings and show them their power. Nobody is safe when these mindless and very dull zombies create havoc all over town. It’s up to the police and the government to put an end to the aliens’ plans before things get more out of hand in this uproariously terrible film that leaves you wanting more.
I wanted to see this as soon as I saw Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood.” I knew that this was something I would have to see. And trust me, the movie wasn’t over exaggerating on how goofy this film gets. The flaws are so in-your-face that you cannot help but laugh hysterically. First it’s night, then it’s daytime, then night, then daytime, and so on and so on. Bela Lugosi died before the film started, but never fear! Ed Wood used an extra (his wife’s chiropractor who covers his face the whole time) and earlier shots of the late actor that don’t even match up with what’s going on in the movie! The acting is cheesy and horrendous, but that only adds to the unexpected glory of this cult-classic.
Although it is deemed as “the worst movie” in Hollywood history, I really don’t think it is. As bad as it is, it is not the worst movie in the world. And I don’t believe that Ed Wood’s the worst director ever. The difference between him and so many of the directors today was the absolute passion he had. He so much wanted to tell stories and share them with the world. It’s a shame that he is the end of many jokes and gags today, but then again, maybe he wouldn’t mind. Maybe he would’ve been happy to get all of this recognition.
“Plan 9 from Outer Space” is horrendously cheesy and flawed, and yet it is still enjoyable all the way. This is Ed Wood’s baby, and I’m sure that no matter how many people said bad things about it, he was still proud of it. If you’re looking for a good laugh and a fun time, check out “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” It is the king of goofy and cheesy films. It is amazing how popular it has become. As Bela told Wood in the film “Ed Wood,” “There is no such thing as bad press.” That statement proves to be absolutely true in the case of “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” Trust me, you will NEVER forget the experience.
Rating: 4 / 5
I havn’t laughed so much in ages. It really is that bad its good. Ok, plot: aliens try to take over the world by resurrecting the recently dead. Their other 9 plans failed, hence the title… Cue lots of graveyard shots (watch out for day/night continuety), awful narration (“…Future events such as these will affect you in the future…”) and wobbly flying saucers. Ed Wood created the film around footage he’d filmed before Lugosi died so Lugosi’s appearences are a bit random. Anyhow, watch it. I could go in for ever about the awfulness of the film. The DVD itself has a really interesting documentary, trailers from Ed’s other ‘memorable’ films and stuff about Ed Wood. The DVD does not take itself seriously, which is perfect for theis film. Enjoy….
Rating: 4 / 5