Plan 9 from Outer Space

Synopsis

Aliens launch a desperate scheme to stop humanity from creating a doomsday device by resurrecting the dead as zombies to march on the capitals. Ed Wood’s infamous magnum opus features cardboard sets, stock footage, and a posthumous appearance by Bela Lugosi. Often cited as the 'worst movie ever made,' it has achieved legendary cult status. Its disjointed editing and bizarre dialogue create a surreal, unintentional masterpiece of inept filmmaking.

Critique

Ed Wood’s magnum opus holds a unique place in history as the 'Citizen Kane of bad movies.' Its significance lies not in competence, but in its surreal, unintentional avant-garde nature. From day-for-night continuity errors to paper-plate flying saucers, it reveals the bare bones of filmmaking. It is a testament to the sheer passion of a director who refused to let a lack of talent or money stop him. It created the 'so bad it's good' subculture, proving that a film can fail on every technical level and still be endlessly, fascinatingly entertaining.

Technical sheet

Director

Ed Wood

Year

1959

Country

United States

Running time

78 min

Genre

Science Fiction, Horror

Written by

Edward D. Wood Jr.

Cinematography

William C. Thompson

Cast

Gregory Walcott, Mona McKinnon, Duke Moore, Tom Keene, Carl Anthony, Paul Marco

Production

Reynolds Pictures

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing