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George Sanders, Barbara Shelley, Martin Stephens, Michael Gwynn, Laurence Naismith ... see more see more... , John Phillips , Rick Warner , Richard Vernon , Jenny Laird , Thomas Heathcote , Charlotte Mitchell , Rosamond Greenwood , Susan Richards , Bernard Archard , Peter Vaughan , Alexander Archdale , Diane Aubrey , Tom Bowman , Michael C. Goetz , Robert Marks , Gerald Paris , Keith Pyott , Sheila Robbins , John Stuart , Paul Norman (II) , John Bush , John Kelly , Peter Taylor , Brian Smith

Something is seriously amiss in the tiny British village of Midwich. At 11 a.m. one morning, every village resident suddenly falls asleep -- and then, just as suddenly, everyone wakes up, completely u... read more read more...naffected by the phenomenon. Well, not completely: virtually every woman of childbearing years has become pregnant. All the babies are born on the same night, at precisely the same moment. All look the same, weigh the same, and even have the same curious cross-hatched hair and underdeveloped fingernails. Four years later, the children have all prematurely reached the age of nine or so -- and all behave in a weird, conspiratorial manner, comporting themselves more like adults than kids. Resident scientist George Sanders, one of the fathers, surmises that the bizarre manner of the children -- from their zombie-like movements to their cold, staring eyes -- is the result of radioactivity, possibly extraterrestrial in nature. One thing is certain: the children possess powers far beyond those of ordinary mortals. And they must be stopped. One of the most influential science fiction films of the 1960s, Village of the Damned was based on the equally eerie John Wyndham novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The more explicit 1995 remake was widely panned in comparison. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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51% want to see it

8,606 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

22 critics

R, 1 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Wolf Rilla

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DVD Release Date: August 10, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (371)

  • fb1664868775
    October 29, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Overall I wasn't very impressed though there are good parts. The last few minutes is really the best part.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 2, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Village of the Damned is an effective and creepy horror film that delivers effective chills. The film uses effective elements to build the horror. The film takes time to deliver its terror, and the buildup is slow, steady and it adds an eerie atmosphere to the film. The story is ... read morean effective horror tale which really does creep you out. The acting is terrific, and the story itself is well crafted to induce shock and dread into its viewer. For horror fans that are looking for a film with atmosphere, effective chills mixed with great acting, Village of the Damned is the film that you should see. This Sci Fi horror film is a classic of the genre, and still has the power to scare. The actors playing the kids are intense in their performances, and they deliver on-screen. Overall this is one of the most solid classic horror films of the 1960's. The pacing of the film is perfect for the unfolding horror halfway through the film. The films pacing is the key for the horror to work well. Mix that with the eerie atmosphere, and you have a memorable horror film. The actors that play the children are terrific, especially the actor who plays the leader, David. Martin Stephens is excellent as David and he brings such menace to the role. If you enjoy effective, chilling horror; Village of the Damned is the film to watch. A very eerie atmosphere and a great steady buildup make this an excellent unforgettable film that horror fans will love.
  • ajv2688
    November 22, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is the original Village of the Damned movie! The kids are really creepy, and the story starts out interesting, but the movie looses steam towards the end. It could have been better, maybe that's why they remade it? Still, it's pretty good, and I'd recommend seeing it if y... read moreou're interested in it.
  • kiriyamakazou
    December 27, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    British horrors used to be so great. Chilling, mysterious, original and unsurpassed by anything today. Village of the Damned is probably what Shayamalan wishes The Happening had been. The tension builds up slowly as more and more strange events mount up. It starts with a whole vi... read morellage falling unconcious at the same time. As more twists set in and answers become apparent it still feels grounded in reality. There are some B-Movie qualities to it that will put off some viewers, but this is an expertly crafted horror. The children are insanely creepy in the way they look, stare and speak. The human element of how to deal whith such a phenomena is also surprisingly well explored given the 1 hour and 17 minute running time. Up their with The Blob, Don't Look Now, The Wicker-Man, Blair Witch Project and Picnic at Hanging Rock as one ofmy favourite horror films.
  • pier007
    December 17, 2007
    pier007
    Sci-fi/horror classic that serves as an allegory for the seek of perfection (read nazism) and the consequences it brings. a lot of creepy moments and a very skillful montage in the final scenes.
  • garyX
    May 21, 2007
    garyX
    Classic british sci fi based on The Midwich Cuckoos in which the children of a small town suddenly develop supernatural powers and start behaving as one. A little dated, but it still has it's spooky moments and is initially intriguing.
  • MightySparks
    December 15, 2008
    MightySparks
    While the plot is interesting, the acting was horrible. I think this was mainly due to the dialogue and the fact they talk like they're in the 1940's, which is why I hate 40's movies. It was made in 1960 for God's sake! Anyway, the kids were actually not bad actors, they were kin... read mored of lame, but not totally annoying. The ending was also good and I didn't see that ending coming, well I did but I didn't expect them to actually do it, for an 'old' movie.
  • FanadFilmsProduction
    March 10, 2007
    FanadFilmsProduction
    A bit dated in some ways, but it is eerie and is difficult to watch. Would make you fear blonds.
  • moviemaniacgirl
    January 20, 2012
    moviemaniacgirl
    Interesting concept, but spends too much time on the exposition and not nearly enough time building tension.
  • mzlou7077
    November 10, 2009
    mzlou7077
    This is my favorite evil child movie. Without splatter and without telling the viewer anything about where these "others" came from and even without spelling out the subtle intentions of this brood, this movie pulls the viewer inside of it, gets under the skin and stays there!
    ... read more
    PS: Watch "Children of the Damned" or John Carpenter's 1995 version ONLY to compare them with this Superior original.

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Critic Reviews

October 21, 2010
TIME Magazine

Village is one of the neatest little horror pictures produced since Peter Lorre went straight. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

This just tapers off from a taut beginning into soggy melodrama. Full Review

Dave Kehr
September 26, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

A strong and subtle horror film from England. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
June 3, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Commie infiltrators? Bastard aliens? Advertisements for the pill? Full Review

Kim Newman
September 26, 2007
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

One of those little science fiction movies that, once seen (and it's a TV staple) is never forgotten. Full Review

September 26, 2007
Film4

The script and direction are rather creaky at times, but the children, whose eyes light up menacingly, are excellent. Full Review

September 26, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Very frightening. Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

The atmosphere and pace are superbly handled, and the performances of the sinister, inhumanly intelligent 'children' never falter. Full Review

James O'Ehley
November 12, 2004
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page

Plays on our dread of our children growing up to become Hitler Youth members with amazing superpowers . . . Full Review

Steve Crum
October 23, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Those eyes, those screams! Creepy classic.

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