Invaders from Mars

[MichaelB]

From the latest BFI press release:

11 May: INVADERS FROM MARS on 4K UHD and Blu-ray

“From three hundred million miles away… invaders from Mars!” — the celebrated original tagline introduces our first May release, INVADERS FROM MARS. This 1953 US science fiction classic has proved popular across generations and inspired filmmakers as wide-ranging as Don Coscarelli (Phantasm), Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) and John Carpenter (The Thing). Directed by William Cameron Menzies (Things to Come), INVADERS FROM MARS is newly restored and available on 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

[Noiretirc]

I wonder if the extras will include original/reshot sequences. I believe that this film was changed even after the original release?

Menzies is a fascinating figure. So much "Art Direction" across so many important films.

Edit: Yes, I do see 12min worth of alternate ("European") sequences.

[colinr0380]

Very excited about this! I love the idea that in a strange way this occupies the same sci-fi crossover with film noir territory as Invasion of the Body Snatchers does with its emphasis on paranoia, double dealing and betrayals. Just with a children's fable twist!

(And the film noir sense only feels more emphasised by the scene where the boy runs to the police station for help, which takes place in the same location that the 1949 noir D.O.A. bookends its action in!)

[Orlac]

I first saw this on BBC2 in 1997 as part of a weekend covering Mars. I think it's likely that, like the other Wilder's KILLERS FRM SPACE, a lot of alien abduction reports were inspired by seeing this in the dead of night half asleep!

[MichaelB]

Full specs announced:

INVADERS FROM MARS
A film by William Cameron Menzies
4K restoration

Released on BFI UHD and Blu-ray, Apple TV and Amazon Prime on 11 May 2026

Things to Come director William Cameron Menzies’ 1953 film terrified Cold War-era audiences upon release with its chilling vision of an insidious alien attack on small-town America. A sci-fi cinema landmark, Invaders From Mars has inspired filmmakers as varied as Don Coscarelli (Phantasm), Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) and John Carpenter (The Thing). Now fully restored in 4K, this Atomic Age classic is ready to unleash its spine-tingling terror upon a new generation of film fans. On 11 May it comes to both UHD and Blu-ray formats, released by the BFI with numerous special features including a newly recorded audio commentary by Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw and a new video essay.

After young David McLean (Jimmy Hunt, Pitfall) witnesses a flying saucer crash near his home, the local townsfolk, including his parents, start acting strangely. David convinces government official Dr Blake (Helena Carter, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye) and astronomer Dr Kelston (Arthur Franz, The Caine Mutiny) that something is awry – but can these unlikely heroes thwart a full-blown invasion from space?

Special features
• UHD: Restored 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation (HDR10 compatible), from the original camera negative and master positives
• Blu-ray: Restored in 4K and presented in High Definition
• Newly recorded audio commentary by Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
• Not Just a Dream: Designing Hope in Invaders From Mars (2026, 16 mins): filmmaker Nic Wassell explores how legendary production designer and director William Cameron Menzies infuses the paranoia of atomic age science fiction with hope for the future
• William Cameron Menzies: Architect of Dreams (2022, 16 mins): Menzies’ biographer James Curtis interviews the director’s granddaughter Pamela Lauesen
• Jimmy Hunt Saves the Planet (2022, 11 mins): interview with the actor
• Terror From Above (2022, 22 mins): filmmakers John Landis and Joe Dante, editor Mark Goldblatt, visual effects artist Robert Skotak and preservationist Scott MacQueen discuss the film
• Restoring the Invasion (2022, 7 mins): before and after clips of the restoration
• TCM Festival Introduction (2022, 7 mins): by John Sayles
• Ernest Dickerson on Invaders From Mars (2022, 5 mins): the award-winning cinematographer introduces a new trailer
• European observatory sequence (1953, 9 mins)
• European ending (1953, 3 mins)
• Original 1953 trailer
• 2022 trailer
• Extensive image gallery including posters, press book pages and publicity materials, plus previously unseen images from the BFI National Archive
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film by Dr Deborah Allison and Barry Forshaw, a short piece from Monthly Film Bulletin, November 1954, notes on the special features and film credits

Product details
UHD: RRP: £27.99 / Cat. no. BFIU0026 / PG
USA / 1953 / colour / 80 mins / English language with optional descriptive subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 / UHD100: 2160p, 23.98fps, LPCM 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

Blu-ray: RRP: £22.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1566 / PG
USA / 1953 / colour / 80 mins / English language with optional descriptive subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 / BD50: 1080p, 23.98fps, LPCM 1.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)