Customer Reviews

Bamboo Saucer [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This surprisingly surefooted feature is much more about the very Terran Cold War than the coldness of space and Earth-vs-flying-saucers warfare. Starting out as a UFO-spotting pilot's struggle to be believed, the story gains considerable traction as the action shifts to Red territory, and the hero finds himself facing foe more home-grown than ET's. For the first half of the flick, the audience may perceive it as corny, anti-commie fare, and those who enjoy such jingoistic, chauvinistic overkill should be tickled pink. Then, as the movie evolves into more of an enemy-mine, psycho-social study, viewers will realize that there's more to this tale than blustery, red-blooded Americanism. Throughout, the film sustains a steady flow of suspense and excitement, and it tries to deal realistically with scientific pursuits. The relationship between John Ericson and Lois Nettleton develops at a believable pace, and the consistent use of non-English languages by foreign characters gives the story a credibility seldom seen in earlier offerings. The characterizations have depth and are well drawn, and even Dan Duryea's portrayal of a stereotypical all-for-the-cause military man is deeply treaded.

One of the best examples of both 1950's cold war paranoia film making and a cash in on the ever growing popularity of science fiction films at that time. A real ripping yarn which combines good old commie bashing with some good examples of life-size model making and special effects. A saturday matinee edge-of-the-seater.

A pilot is testing out a new aircraft when he spots a flying saucer. Naturally it jams the radar as all flying saucers do and no one believes him, not even his relatives. So he uses a laser devise that is immune to static to track down the saucer.

Our government shoves a sketch under his noses for verification. Yep that is it. It is the height of the cold war and a downed saucer is found in RED china. So there is a race between a group of Americans and Ruskies to see who gets there before the Chinese Government finds out.

We get all the mix of good guys, and bad guys, nationalists, and individuals. They (and we) must learn what makes the other side tick and to get along on the mission.

The American pilot advisor John Ericson runs into the female Russian scientist Lois Nettleton while she is taking a shower. Later he keeps running into her verbally. Eventually through all the bantering the form a mutual affection.

Will they be able to discover the saucer secrets before being found by the Chinese Government?

Or will they be able to destroy the almost indestructible machine?

Aside from a well acted film that may have had a few too many clichés, there is something captivation about Lois Nettleton that years later you will say "Now what was that movie I saw her in?" considering she made over 100 TV appearances.

I really enjoyed the movie, the only pitty that it wasn't on DVD format. Always nice to share a movie from your childhood with the family and come away with a big thumbs up!!

I THINK ITS A GOOD MOVIE BECAUSE ITS A OLD ONE, THOSE DAYS WAS NO SWEARING AND ITS CLEAN TO .