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Plan 9... is one of many "space invasion" movies of its era, undoubtedly inspired in large part by the Cold War and technological advances as well as cosmological discoveries. This particular film combines the added intrigue of zombies.

It's one of those movies that might be intentionally satirical or might just be bad in some aspects or might be a bit of both. Regardless, it's highly entertaining despite its lack of palpable suspense and it's far from among the worst, which is the reputation that precedes it.

The props are a bit hokey and the acting feels contrived in many spots, but the premise is nonetheless provocative. The film does indeed raise the type of questions that tend to linger, which is an important characteristic of meaningful film.

If you're intrigued by hypotheticals, regardless of production and acting quality, this movie will probably entertain you and you'll be willing to laugh at some of its absurdities--intententional or not.

This western drama follows the determined lone Apache warrior Massai (Burt Lancaster), who refuses to capitulate even after Geronimo's surrender (Monte Blue). He is pursued not only by long-time foe Al Seiber (John McIntire) but also by Nalinle (Jean Peters), who is devoted to him even though he is running for his life. Western vet Mort Mills, who appeared on Gunsmoke six times, and the criminally underappreciated John Dehner are also along for the chase.

This is not a traditional western featuring numerous gun battles in a conventional setting where good and evil are defined in more-or-less precise terms. But it is rather a thought-provoking look at the roles military men and their Native American counterparts played. It's also a story of love against overwhelming odds.

According to at least one critic, young Robert Aldrich was "forced" to change the ending. Without knowing what that other ending was, it's hard to imagine it could've been better. This ending is a marvelous triumph in more ways than one.

It's a familiar story with a mostly light-hearted approach: an aging lawman gets pushed out before he's ready and gets help from an unexpected source. But what a cast! Mitchum and Nettleton, two of the finest ever at their craft, are joined by Martin Balsam, George Kennedy, Marie Windsor, John Davis Chandler...

Mayor Wilker (Martin Balsam) is a hoot, the quintessential small-time politician with grandiose dreams. Like many politicians, he is amoral. His only regard for morality or anything else, outside of his pursuits of local women, is how such things affect the vote. His ideas are often disastrous, but he nonetheless emerges smelling like a rose over and over due to the actions of others. He believes he's destined for great heights and he's likely to reach them even though he's clearly incompetent beyond his gift for gab.

When he gathers the town and gives a surprised Marshal Flag (Mitchum) a gold watch before introducing his meek replacement, he's obviously made a mistake. The mistake is soon amplified and the new marshal is put to the test, which he runs away from, when a large gang descends on the town. This problem draws the bumbling mayor into the scheme Flag has hatched with an old foe who has flipped on his former gang, partly because he has been usurped and partly because he can't stomach the gang's new way of doing things-which include shooting old men in the back.

Some funny lines delivered in grand style definitely raise the quality of the film. There is a bit of drama interspersed among the laughs, but it's mostly a good time even though Marshal Flag is on a serious mission.