Wolf Rilla directed this adaptation of the John Wyndham novel set in the small English town of Midwich, which one day underwent a bizarre occurrence when the entire town went to sleep for several hours, without explanation. Several months later, scientist Gordon Zellaby(played by George Sanders) links the blackouts to the oddity of all women of child-bearing age being pregnant at the same time. The children born all oddly look alike with blond hair and expressionless faces, though with a high intelligence, which includes his wife Anthea(played by Barbara Shelley) and his "son" David(played most effectively by Martin Stephens). Are these children of alien origin, and what is their purpose? Nicely done sci-fi with thoughtful script and good direction. The children are not evil, just different, and how society treats them is as much a reflection on it as it is on them. A bit dry perhaps, but most worthwhile.
Review of Village of the Damned
