Morons from Outer Space (Original title)Illegal Aliens (Working title)
Dates: 1985 (Copyright), 30 April 1984 (Production), 29 March 1985 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Mike Hodges
Synopsis: Science fiction spoof. Three aliens from the planet Blob - Desmond, Julian and Sandra - crash-land a section of their holiday home on the M1. The aliens are proven to be of very low intelligence but are transformed into successful media personalities and pop stars by the novice news reporter, Graham Sweetly.
Genres: Comedy, Science Fiction
Subject: Aliens
Releases
Date: 29 March 1985not specifiedRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 91 mins Length: 8209 FeetDialogue (original): English
Title: Verity Lambert’s Thorn-EMI filmsAuthor: Moody, PaulArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Draws on interviews with former production executive Graham Easton along with material from the Film Finances archive to explore Verity Lambert's time as Director of Production at Thorn-EMI Screen Entertainment in the 1980s. Includes discussion of the five films developed in-house during Lambert's tenure: 'Morons from Outer Space' (1985), 'Restless Natives' (1985), 'Dreamchild' (1985), 'Link' (1986) and 'Clockwise' (1986). Part of the special issue 'EMI Films and British Cinema History'.
In: Empire n188 February 2005 Page: 152
Title: RWDAuthor: ALS Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: StarBurst n319 February 2005 Page: 102
Title: DVD Reviews: Round UpAuthor: HOULDSWORTH, Richard Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Films and Filming n366 March 1985 Page: 37
Title: [Films and Filming - n366 March 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 3 Apr 1985 Page: 18
Title: [Variety - 3 Apr 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n490 30 Mar 1985 Page: 30 35
Title: [Screen International - n490 30 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
Description: Corrigenda.
In: Stills n18 April 1985 Page: 52
Title: [Stills - n18 April 1985: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Reviewed with NUMBER ONE.
In: Time Out n761 21 Mar 1985 Page: 51
Title: [Time Out - n761 21 Mar 1985: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Caption review.
In: AIP & Co n64 March 1985 Pages: 10-11
Title: [AIP & Co - n64 March 1985: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article on the production of four recent TESE films, RESTLESS NATIVES, MORONS FROM OUTER SPACE, DREAM CHILD and a PASSAGE TO INDIA.
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v52 n614 March 1985 Pages: 86-87
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v52 n614 March 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: City Limits n181 22 Mar 1985 Page: 20
Title: [City Limits - n181 22 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n489 23 Mar 1985 Page: 39
Title: [Screen International - n489 23 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Écran Fantastique n56 May 1985 Pages: 52-53
Title: [ L'Écran Fantastique - n56 May 1985: no known title]Language: French
In: The Hollywood Reporter v288 n43 25 Sep 1985 Page: 3,15
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v288 n43 25 Sep 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: The Hollywood Reporter v282 n4 22 May 1984 Page: 19
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v282 n4 22 May 1984: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Screen International n444 5 May 1984 Page: 2
Title: [Screen International - n444 5 May 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note.
In: Screen International n444 5 May 1984 Page: 4
Title: [Screen International - n444 5 May 1984: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Broadcast 23 Sep 1983 Page: 9
Title: [Broadcast - 23 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details of the project.
In: Page: No. 81 19
Title: [ - : no known title]
Author: BELL, Simon Pages: 159p.
Description: Based on the screenplay by Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(2)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8095 FeetBFI identifier: C-1338860
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8109 FeetBFI identifier: C-110819
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8095 FeetBFI identifier: C-1338860
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Dates: 1985 (Copyright), 30 April 1984 (Production), 29 March 1985 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Mike Hodges
Synopsis: Science fiction spoof. Three aliens from the planet Blob - Desmond, Julian and Sandra - crash-land a section of their holiday home on the M1. The aliens are proven to be of very low intelligence but are transformed into successful media personalities and pop stars by the novice news reporter, Graham Sweetly.
Genres: Comedy, Science Fiction
Subject: Aliens
Releases
Date: 29 March 1985not specifiedRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 91 mins Length: 8209 FeetDialogue (original): English
Credits
(54)
©: Thorn EMI Film Finance plc, Made by: Thorn EMI Film Productions Ltd., Executive Producer: Verity Lambert, Produced by: Barry Hanson, Production Executive: Graham Easton, Production Manager: Peter Price, Production Supervisor: David Ball, Production Co-ordinator: Lorraine Goodman, Production Accountant: Clair McCoy, Location Manager: Rufus Andrews, Assistant Director: Jake Wright, Assistant Director: Marcia Gay, Assistant Director: Russell Lodge, Script Supervisor: Diana Dill, Casting: Debbie McWilliams, Screenplay by: Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, Developed by: Bob Mercer, Director of Photography: Philip Meheux, Camera Operator: Bernie Ford, Focus Puller: Bruce Barraclough, Gaffer: Harry Woodley, Grip: Dennis Lloyd, Stills Photographer: David James, Visual Effects Supervisor: David Speed, Special Effects: Jeff Luff, Special Effects Editor: Dennis McTaggart, TV and Computer Effects: Ira Curtis Coleman, Model Unit Supervisor: David Speed, Modelmaker: Peter Aston, Model Maker: Peter Aston, Film Editor: Peter Boyle, Production Designer: Brian Eatwell, Art Director: Terry Gough, Art Director: Bert Davey, Set Dresser: Derek Nice, Property Buyer: Sid Palmer, Property Master: Brian Palmer, Construction Manager: Bill Surridge, Costume Designer: May Routh, Assistant Costume Designer: Doreen Watkinson, Wardrobe Supervisor: Keith Denny, Chief Make-up: George Frost, Make-up Consultant: Sara Raeburn, Chief Hairdresser: Joan Carpenter, Titles: Optical Film Effects, Music Composed by: Peter Brewis, Orchestra Conducted by: John Cameron, Sound Mixer: Chris Munro, Boom Operator: Ian Munro, Dubbing Mixer: John Hayward, Sound Editor: Peter Best, Stunt Co-ordinator: Paul Weston
Cast
(57)
Mel Smith (Bernard), Griff Rhys Jones (Graham Sweetley), Joanne Pearce (Sandra Brock), Jimmy Nail (Desmond Brock), Paul Bown (Julian Tope), James B. Sikking (Colonel Laribee), Dinsdale Landen (Commander Matteson), Tristram Jellinek (Simpson), George Innes (Stanley Benson), John Joyce (Chief Inspector Miller), Mark Jones (Godfrey), Leonard Fenton (commissionaire), André Maranne (Trousseaux), Joanna Dickens (lady farmer), R.J. Bell (Klutz), Peter Whitman (Friborg), Olivier Pierre (Jabowlski), Edward Wiley (Laribee's aide), Robert Austin (newscaster), John Barcroft (McKenzie), Bill Stewart (Walters), Joss Buckley (TV presenter), Roger Hammond (soundman), Des Webb (Eskimo chief), Derek Deadman (man in car), Angela Crow (woman in car), Jimmy Mulville (motorway policeman), Lesley Grantham (motorway policeman's assistant), Barbara Hicks (stenographer), Tim Barker (mathematician), Graham Fellows (cipher), Robert Sessions (TV presenter, USA), Shane Rimmer (redneck), Diana Ricardo (redneck's wife), Miriam Margolyes (lady scientist), Ian East (1st scientist), Michael J. Jackson (2nd scientist), James Taylor (minister), Christopher Northey (Whitehall flunkey), Jo Ross (lady in dining room), Susan Denaker (1st nurse), Lesa Lockford (2nd nurse), Edward Arthur (chat show host), Shelley Thompson (Nurse Perce), John Clamp (Bobby), Richenda Carey (Countess Gretel), David Haig (flunkey), Robert Henderson (diner customer), Karen Lancaster (Stanley's assistant), Ronnie Stevens (hotel manager), Pamela Mandell (Mary), David James (policeman), Thick Wilson (cop), Dave Whittaker (deputy), John O'Toole (security guard), Peter Straker (choir lead singer), Robin Driscoll (space pilot)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(19)
In: Journal of British cinema and television v18 n1 2021 Pages: 96-120Title: Verity Lambert’s Thorn-EMI filmsAuthor: Moody, PaulArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Draws on interviews with former production executive Graham Easton along with material from the Film Finances archive to explore Verity Lambert's time as Director of Production at Thorn-EMI Screen Entertainment in the 1980s. Includes discussion of the five films developed in-house during Lambert's tenure: 'Morons from Outer Space' (1985), 'Restless Natives' (1985), 'Dreamchild' (1985), 'Link' (1986) and 'Clockwise' (1986). Part of the special issue 'EMI Films and British Cinema History'.
In: Empire n188 February 2005 Page: 152
Title: RWDAuthor: ALS Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: StarBurst n319 February 2005 Page: 102
Title: DVD Reviews: Round UpAuthor: HOULDSWORTH, Richard Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
In: Films and Filming n366 March 1985 Page: 37
Title: [Films and Filming - n366 March 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Variety 3 Apr 1985 Page: 18
Title: [Variety - 3 Apr 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n490 30 Mar 1985 Page: 30 35
Title: [Screen International - n490 30 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
Description: Corrigenda.
In: Stills n18 April 1985 Page: 52
Title: [Stills - n18 April 1985: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Reviewed with NUMBER ONE.
In: Time Out n761 21 Mar 1985 Page: 51
Title: [Time Out - n761 21 Mar 1985: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Caption review.
In: AIP & Co n64 March 1985 Pages: 10-11
Title: [AIP & Co - n64 March 1985: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article on the production of four recent TESE films, RESTLESS NATIVES, MORONS FROM OUTER SPACE, DREAM CHILD and a PASSAGE TO INDIA.
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v52 n614 March 1985 Pages: 86-87
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v52 n614 March 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: City Limits n181 22 Mar 1985 Page: 20
Title: [City Limits - n181 22 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Screen International n489 23 Mar 1985 Page: 39
Title: [Screen International - n489 23 Mar 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: Écran Fantastique n56 May 1985 Pages: 52-53
Title: [ L'Écran Fantastique - n56 May 1985: no known title]Language: French
In: The Hollywood Reporter v288 n43 25 Sep 1985 Page: 3,15
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v288 n43 25 Sep 1985: no known title]Language: English
In: The Hollywood Reporter v282 n4 22 May 1984 Page: 19
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v282 n4 22 May 1984: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Screen International n444 5 May 1984 Page: 2
Title: [Screen International - n444 5 May 1984: no known title]Language: English
Description: Note.
In: Screen International n444 5 May 1984 Page: 4
Title: [Screen International - n444 5 May 1984: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Credits.
In: Broadcast 23 Sep 1983 Page: 9
Title: [Broadcast - 23 Sep 1983: no known title]Language: English
Description: Details of the project.
In: Page: No. 81 19
Title: [ - : no known title]
Books held in BFI Reuben Library
(1)
Title: Morons from outer spaceAuthor: BELL, Simon Pages: 159p.
Description: Based on the screenplay by Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith.
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(2)
Accessible materials to view(1)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8095 FeetBFI identifier: C-1338860
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Film materials(2)
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8109 FeetBFI identifier: C-110819
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Colour PositiveBase: SafetySound: CombinedLength: 8095 FeetBFI identifier: C-1338860
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)