Customer Reviews

The Outer Limits: Corpus Earthling [VHS]

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

 

 

This is one of my favorite two episodes ever of the Outer Limits. While the plot isn't the best (alien rocks taking over people) and the effects pale in the current age of technology, the *story* is incredible--it's not about the aliens, and it's not about the science, it's about FEAR. Fear, and love, and hope, and despair, and all the things that make us people. And in addition to that, it's excellently filmed--high production value, incredible lighting and camera work, superb acting (Robert Culp and Salome Jens are just *cute* as young marrieds.) Joseph Stephano is quoted as saying he didn't think it would be so Scary, and it is. But it's not scary because of the idea or the effects, it's scary because the people are scared, and that comes across on the screen.

If you liked this one, also check out "Demon With a Glass Hand"--again, starring Robert Culp (ok, i happen to like Culp. Mea Culpa). Heavy on story, well-done enough that the more obvious plot holes can be overlooked, decent action quotient, and really good characters.

"Rocks : silent, inanimate objects torn from the Earth's ancient crust, yielding up to Man over the long centuries all that is known of the planet on which we live; withholding from Man forever their veiled secrets of the nature of matter and cosmic catastrophe, the secrets of other worlds in the vastness of the universe... of other forms of life... of strange organisms beyond the imagination of Man..." Two alien rocks are on the verge of invading Earth by penetrating and controlling human bodies. But, Dr. Paul Cameron accidentally heard them talking about their plan. This is the most oppressive tale of the entire series. The claustrophobic idea of being possessed is a direct reference to "Invasion of the body snatchers". The first draft was about cats' invasion and was changed to rocks, owing to its realistic frightening appeal over the children audience. The gorgeous and pre-"Seconds" Salome Jens and Robert Culp, playing the overanxious Paul Cameron, are excellent. This particular episode has a "Carnivals of soul/The night of the living-dead" flavor because of the Barry Atwater's morbid character. Above all, I like the Mexican magic mood. The Conrad Hall's dark cinematography is once again top-notch. Watch the anti-happy end out. Here is my favourite paranoid episode among "O.B.I.T.", "Nightmare" and "The invisibles". "Two black crystalline rocks. Unclassifiable. Objects on the border between the living and the non-living. A reminder of the thin line that separates the animate from the inanimate. Something to ponder on-something to stay the hand when it reaches out innocently for the whitened pebble, the veined stone, the dead, unmoving rocks of our planet."

OL's scariest offering, decidedly unsettling, with the most claustrophobic atmosphere of a claustrophobically atmospheric series.

Robert Culp turns in one of his typically magnificent performances (to my thinking, his best) as an average guy who desperately wants to believe he is just paranoid and hearing voices that aren't really there. Because he only hears the voices in the geology lab. And there are only rocks there. Right? Unless - oh, surely not (what are the chances?) - some of the rocks in the lab are not what they appear to be, and are really some kind of alien super-viruses. And the alien super-viruses are aware of the fact that Culp is listening. And he poses a threat to their invasion plan. Which means...well, I guess they'll just have to kill him, won't they?

This one works precisely because of the preposterousness of the idea of "talking rocks." Culp's performance is phenomenal, teetering between sanity and psychotic breakdown, as he gradually learns that, just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean they're not out to get you. Charming wife Salome Jens wants to believe him but can't (would you?), and finds out the hard way that Culp isn't crazy, after all. So does geologist Barry Atwater, who is violently attacked by the aforementioned super-viruses which of course can't possibly exist. A creepy Mexican shaman, who knows from the outset Culp is sane, adds to the shudders.

For horror fans, not to be missed. Adapted by series producer Joe Stefano and Orin Borstein from an obscure paperback original of the same name by Louis Charbonneau. (Which I have read, and which is not as good as this episode.)

Being the ninth episode in the series, "Corpus Earthling" is one of the strangest, creepiest episodes of The Outer Limits that will make you think twice about inanimate objects.

Geologist Dr. Jonas Temple (played by Barry Atwater) and his assistant Laurie Cameron (played by Salome Jens) are examining a pair of strange rocks that are unlike any other. Enter Dr. Paul Cameron (played by Robert Culp), Laurie's husband, who has a steel plate in his head. While no one is around, Paul hears two voices talking about taking over Earth by using human bodies as their hosts. Paul cannot place where the voices are coming from, and realizes that he is in grave danger when the rocks start controlling him. At first Dr. Temple and Laurie do not believe him. However, the rocks are determined to kill Paul for overhearing their plans, even if it means going after his wife and friend to establish a host to do it. Will Paul survive and be able to save his wife as well?

The main reason I loved this episode was because it provided a `rocky' ride with a unique storyline, interesting characters, along with love, suspense, horror, drama, and a shocking end, all rolled into one. Even the special effects of the rocks wobbling while they speak were really exceptional. Of course, the amazing acting of Robert Culp, Salome Jens and Barry Atwater (especially Culp) provided a solid base for this wonderful episode.

To quote Vic Perrin (The Control Voice): "Two black crystalline rocks, unclassifiable; objects on the border between the living and the non-living are the reminder of the thin line that separates the animate from the inanimate; something to ponder on; something to stay the hand when it reaches out innocently for the whitened pebble, the grey stone, the dead unmoving rocks of our planet."

This is one of the better Outer Limits episodes - well written and directed, with Conrad Hall replacing his usual "glamour" lighting with more atmospheric brightness and shade. In the Official Companion, Joseph Stefano comments that he didn't want to air the episode because it was so frightening, and that's what makes it so effective - the tightness and neo-classicism of the story-telling creates an unnerving experience. The monsters this time around are rock samples in a geology lab, who unknownst to the geologists - Robert Culp, Salome Jens and Barry Atwater - are alien invaders who want to control the human "corpus" ie control minds. The 2 alien rocks look pretty silly amongst the other rocks in the lab, as they resemble dog food and pulsate when they speak, so when Culp realises he has the ability to hear them we can't believe that they can't be located. However there is nothing silly about the way they expand into parasite form and attach themselves to the human face, much like the Alien on John Hurt. The 2 scenes of attachment are particularly horrible, one invoking a rape. The treatment is noteworthy for the relationship between Culp and Jens as a married couple. It seems unusual to see a husband and wife behave so tenderly with each other, in spite of Culp thinking he is going insane. And when we see Jens in her slip after they have (presumably) made love it feels a bit scandalous to see an actress so unclothed. It's no coincidence that Hitchcock had Janet Leigh in her underwear, and then naked before her demise in Psycho. There are some minor plot holes - Culp is said to be defective to the alien's mind control because of a metal plate in his head, yet he we see him clearly following their instrutions in a suicide attempt, and then later being pursued by a parasite. And one parasite seems to go missing in the climactic confrontation. The expressionist makeup used to demonstrate a victim's invasion is too obviously vaudeville, but the use of fire and smoke throughout the episode is clever. And Dominic Frontiere includes some Bernard Herrmann-ish harp in the music score.

A man accidently overhears the conversation of two "rocks" discussing world conquest...

"Corpus Earthling" is a classic example of how A Really Stupid Idea can made into a compelling story. Though the script tries to make a connection between viruses and "living rocks" (I believe the question of whether viruses are "alive" has never been settled), the idea is ludicrous. (But then, one of the best "Star Trek" episodes was about living rocks.)

What makes "Corpus Earthling" so good is the outstanding direction and photography. Gerd Oswald shows restraint in telling a story that could easily slip into silliness. And the dark, contrasty "film noir" lighting -- which doesn't come across well on a 23" analog TV -- shows that the producers were willing to take a chance on making a TV show that was "better" than it needed to be. On modern displays, you can appreciate the the high quality. (You can also see the wires animating the rock creatures!) "Corpus Earthling" is one of a few "Outer Limits" episodes that should be transferred to Blu-ray from the composite negative.

The casting is a major element in this episode's success. The late Robert Culp was an engaging and convincing actor, and it's not a coincidence that he appears in three of the best "Outer Limits" episodes (the others being "The Architects of Fear" and "Demon with a Glass Hand"). Salome Jens is warm and appealing as his wife, making the ending all that more tragic.

I've seen "Corpus Earthling" at least a half-dozen times (including the original broadcast), and have found no reason to change my high opinion.

Not much going on in this episode, it's been 4 days since I watched it and I almost forgot it. The story of 2 rocks conspiring to enter hosts so that they can begin an "alien invasion?" is just dumb. The whole episode deals with Robert Culp running from the nasty rocks!?! The plot holes, among other annoying things make this episode one to miss. The only saving grace of the 50 minutes was the atmosphere.

thank you for your time, David

One has to wonder what were they drinking when they made this one? I mean, intelligent rocks? Give me a break.