Director William Cameron Menzies’ nightmarish portrait of a young boy’s… well, worst nightmare (literally… or is it?) is a Cold War sci-fi classic, as creepy Martians start mind-controlling the citizens of a small ‘burg in an attempt to sabotage the atomic rocket project that’s going on just on the outskirts of town. Telling this terrifying tale from the point of view of a small child makes it all the more intense — we’re frightened and overwhelmed along with young David as his parents are brainwashed by aliens and no one believes him. This innovative and creative low-budget gem from 1953 was remade in 1986 by director Tobe Hooper, who, after Poltergeist, knew a thing or two about throwing children into stressful supernatural situations.
