The Aurora Encounter

The plot of this movie is based on a supposed UFO crash that occurred in 1897 in Aurora, Texas (now debunked by most people who study the subject of UFO's) where it is claimed a UFO hit a windmill and the pilot was given a "Christian Burial" by the townsfolk of the Texas Community. (Such stories were common in 1897, where reporters just made stuff up rather than actually report the news, unlike what happens today cough:not really:Cough)

The plot, such as it is, is confused and non-linear. The acting is sub-par at best.

It starred Spanky McFarland of Little Rascals fame in one of his few adult roles (and proves why the guy's career ended at puberty). It also starred a young actor who got the role of the alien because of the Make A Wish foundation and his condition of premature aging.

The Special Effects are laughable. (You can tell the "Flying Saucer" was in fact a vehicle lifted on some kind of crane.)

How the guys at Mystery Science Theatre missed this one is beyond me. It was right up their alley.

Although I watched this drivel some 15 years ago, Aurora still etches in my mind as the worst film ever created. As well as being completely depressing to watch - this film bored me to death. I finally had to switch it off when there was an hour long scene of some guy playing draughts with the alien. This film has I'm afraid got no redeeming features whatsoever, and I thus recommend that people only watch it as an educational experience to just how dire a movie can be.

• A complete thumbs down. 0/10

My review was written in August 1986 after watching the film on New World video cassette.

"The Aurora Encounter" is a pleasant, very mild entry in the unusual genre of sci-fi Westerns. Second recent New World release from the filmmaking McCulloughs, who earlier made "Mountaintop Motel Massacre", opened regionally in March and quickly moved to its proper home, the video stores.

With full white beard and ample girth, Jack Elam has fun as the teller of this tall tale concerning a spaceman visiting the small town of Aurora, Texas in the 1800s. Amidst antics by the friendly little guy who brings a magic crystal with him, there is a minor plotline of school marm Alain, pronounced "Elaine" (Carol Bagdasarian), inheriting her dad's newspaper and using it to play up the spaceman's visit while championing women's rights on the side.

A corny, melodramatic climax (plus sentimental denouement) spoils the otherwise acceptable picture which bosts okay visual effects. Diminutive Mickey Hays, a bald monster with genuinely bizarre features made up here to resemble a pint-sized Max Schreck of "Nosferatu", adds to the sci-fi premise. Rest of the cast is interesting, with Bagdasarian a feisty heroine, country singer Dottie West adding sex appeal and former Our Gang comedies star Spanky McFarland popping in as Texas' very short governor.

I live one town over from Aurora, TX. I read about his movie recently in the local newspaper. It is based on a "true story." Local legend holds that the ship did crash, and the alien was buried near Aurora.

It is pretty bad. Jack Elam some how pulls off the really bad dialog, and it is interesting to see an adult Spanky.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - I would like to give some history on this movie - it was not, as some may believe, and exploitation of a sick child, rather it was the granting of a dying wish of a child, Mickey Hays, to be a movie star. For that reason alone, I applaud this movie, and as hokey as it is, I enjoyed the positive message of the little alien coming to Earth and interacting with the citizens (and animals) of Aurora, Texas. Even though it has a sad ending, it also had many laughs, and several positive messages.