Line #24 Film/ItCameFromOuterSpace


1	[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ItCameFromSpace_6907.jpg]]
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3	A 1953 ScienceFiction film best known for subverting some of the typical AlienInvasion tropes. Based on a script by noted SF author Creator/RayBradbury, its title has become part of popular culture though the film itself is more [[CultClassic obscure]].
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5	Set in the UsefulNotes/{{Arizona}} desert, the movie begins with a meteor-like object crashing near a small town. A local scientist named John Putman and his girlfriend investigate, thinking it's a [[FlyingSaucer UFO]], but find no evidence of it.
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7	However, the audience sees ''something'' watching them and other people (though not exactly what -- we are shown things from the "monster's" alien viewpoint). People from the town start to get [[AlienAbduction captured]] and replaced with emotionless [[{{Doppelganger}} doubles]]. The protagonist notices but cannot convince the other townsfolk of it at first; eventually he confronts one of the aliens, who reveals that... they have crashed on Earth by accident, and just want to repair their spaceship and leave. Knowing the humans would be [[BeautyEqualsGoodness repulsed by their]] [[BlobMonster true appearance]], they were forced to act secretly to obtain the materials they need. The alien proves his point by revealing its true form to the hero, who indeed recoils in horror.
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9	Eventually, the local sheriff becomes convinced that the alien 'invasion' is real, and gathers a posse to attack the aliens in their hiding place (a mine). One of the aliens is apparently killed before Putman can straighten things out. Fortunately, the aliens don't retaliate, instead returning all the replaced people (including the hero's girlfriend) unharmed, and then they take off back into space in their by-now fixed spaceship, with the {{Aesop}} of 'not fearing that which is different' having (hopefully) been learned by the cast.
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11	The movie's use of a "fishbowl lens" camera (for the aliens' viewpoint scenes), creepy music, and foreboding desert vistas help sustain its atmosphere of suspense.
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13	The movie had a remake in the 80s, with a different cast and alien designs, but basically the same story.
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15	The title of the movie is often referenced or parodied, as can be seen even here in TV Tropes.
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17	!!This film provides examples of:
18	* AlienAbduction: Humans are kidnapped both as hostages and to [[VoluntaryShapeshifting copy their bodies]]. Unfortunately hearing your [[{{Doppelganger}} former friend]] say in a CreepyMonotone that he means you no harm is not reassuring to most people.
19	* AlienAmongUs: The aliens assume the appearance of humans they have kidnapped to move freely among the townspeople without being recognized.
20	* AlienInvasion: Averted -- the aliens only landed on earth by accident, have no hostile intentions and just want to leave as soon as possible. The humans, however, mistakenly believe that they ''are'' being invaded.
21	* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Inverted. Despite their monstrous appearance, the aliens are actually fairly benevolent, but they are aware that humans would find them abhorrent and therefore refuse to openly reveal themselves.
22	* BlobMonster: The aliens look like huge, one-eyed piles of jelly in their natural state.
23	* BothSidesHaveAPoint: When John asks the aliens why they did not show themselves right away and simply asked for help, they respond that humans would be appalled by their true appearance and likely would have attacked them on sight. John concedes that their fear is justfied, but also points out that kidnapping humans and holding them hostage really doesn't help their case.
24	* CameFromTheSky: John and his girlfriend Ellen go to investigate after witnessing a meteor-like object crashing near a small town in the Arizona desert.
25	* ComingInHot: The pre-credit sequence has the alien spacecraft (with sparks flying off it) crashlanding in the Arizona desert.
26	* EveryCarIsAPinto: When Fake Frank crashes his truck, it explodes.
27	* EvilCostumeSwitch: Or Morally Ambiguous Costume Switch. Ellen's duplicate wears a sexy black dress.
28	* NoAntagonist: The film has no single, clearly defined antagonist. Instead, the main conflict is caused by prejudices, mutual distrust and a lack of communication between aliens and humans.
29	* NotHimself: The aliens can [[VoluntaryShapeshifting copy humans and their memories]], but give themselves away through their awkward speech patterns and ability to stare into the sun without blinking.
30	* NotWhatItLooksLike: Putman is shocked to find the aliens assembling what appears to be a classic giant DeathRay, but it's actually a device for powering their ship. Minutes before however Putman was nearly killed by a hostile alien guard with a DisintegratorRay, so he has good reason to be worried.
31	* POVCam: The film is partially shown in this manner, using a tilt-shift focus (which picks out sharp objects in an otherwise blurry image) to depict the viewpoint of its protagonist.
32	* ScreamingWoman: Ellen screams at least three times in the movie.
33	* WeComeInPeaceShootToKill: Played out on a small scale with the sheriff who wants to go in with a posse and the amateur astronomer who's willing to trust that the aliens are telling the truth. However the trope is subverted on both sides -- humans and aliens are portrayed as fearful and suspicious of each other, yet in reality both are reasonable. The locals just want their friends (who are being held hostage) returned unharmed, while the aliens just want to repair their spaceship and leave without trouble.
34	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: In the sequel, a coyote is duplicated as well. This is not addressed by the end.
35	* TheWorldIsNotReady: The aliens try to keep their presence on earth a secret because they believe that humans are still too fearful of the unknown for a peaceful first contact. At the end of the film, as the townspeople watch the alien spaceship take off, Ellen wonders if they are gone for good, to which John responds that he is sure they will return once humanity is ready.

Context Film / ItCameFromOuterSpace