Village Of The Damned (1960)

In a small English town, the entire village passes out for several hours before waking up. Shortly after, it is discovered that all women of child bearing age are pregnant. All the children are born on the same day but it quickly becomes apparent as they grow up that they are not normal. Neither in the way they look, think and act. One of the best science fiction films of the 1960s, its modest budget and inspired low keyed narrative contains an eerily clever but intelligent horror film. Based on the novel THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS by John Wyndham, it's an economical (1 hour, 17 minutes) chiller that wastes no time in capturing you undivided attention and holds it. In a rare sympathetic role, George Sanders plays a teacher, and also the "father" of one of the children, who tries to reach the children rather than living in fear of them like the rest of the townspeople. Remade poorly in 1995 by John Carpenter who softened the outlook and thus weakened the horror aspect. Written and directed by Wolf Rilla. With Barbara Shelley, Michael Gwynn, Laurence Naismith and as the leader of the children, Martin Stephens (THE INNOCENTS).