User Reviews

Television's version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" introduces David Vincent (Roy Thinnes), a tired architect that during a late night drive comes across members of an alien invasion force, human-like but having two defects: an extended pinky on the right hand and the need for occasional regeneration. As he tries to warn others, he becomes a threat to the aliens, but also gains the ire of those suspicious of his mental state.

His only ally is his friend/partner (James Daly) who has his own doubts about Vincent's sanity. Vincent befriends a widow (Diane Baker) that runs a small town store and she appears to believe in his story, adding one more in his arsenal of compatriots.

This pilot features music by Dominec Frontiere, original and culled from his own creations for "The Outer Limits." Also integral to the story is Ellen Corby, years before her Emmy-winning turn as "Grandma Walton", as an kindly old lady that is not as she appears to be.

Though the show lasted a brief two seasons, it is still memorable as one of the 60's most unique evening dramas.

I don't know about you, but even lo after fifty years I'm still keeping a wary eye peeled for people with extended pinkies. And I still suspect the whole Walton family is an alien sleeper cell! Today being the fiftieth anniversary of the broadcast of the first episode "Beachhead," I pulled down the DVD set and rewatched it as a celebration. Sadly, I saw absolutely nothing marking the anniversary, a sharp contrast to all the ballyhoo that surrounded STAR TREK's golden anniversary last September. I'm a Trekkie, of course, so I don't begrudge that classic its deserved plaudits. THE INVADERS simply suffers the misfortune of being a lesser known and under-appreciated classic.

This pilot episode does a masterful job establishing the premise and the protagonist, as well as leaving the audience with a sense of impending dread. The series was both a contrast and a complement to the idealism of STAR TREK and the candy-colored optimism of LOST IN SPACE. Its being earthbound lent it a realism the other series lacked. As thought-provoking as STAR TREK could be, it was also escapist fun in taking us to strange new worlds. THE INVADERS offered no such escape.

James Daly, who would later guest star as Flint in a particularly thoughtful episode of STAR TREK--"Requiem for Methuseleh"--is excellent here as architect David Vincent's business partner Alan Landers. He is also Vincent's first convert from skeptic to believer, though sadly Vincent never learns that.

I liked how we got only a glimpse into David Vincent's former life. It establishes that there was one, and the story demonstrates how there can be no going back to it. Landers' death, coupled with the burning of Vincent's apartment, closed that door for good. I was reminded of the prophet Elisha, who when called to a new mission in life slaughtered his oxen and burned the ox plow, putting to death the old life and dedicating himself fully to the new one. Ironically, it was the aliens themselves who left Vincent no way back, and setting him on this new path.

Quinn Martin Productions never lack for great guest stars, and this opening salvo in the war for humanity boasts a bevy of the era's stalwarts. J.D. Cannon, warming up for his future role on McCLOUD, plays a hardnosed Lt. Ben Holman. I suspected he was an alien, especially because he was chummy with Sheriff Lou Carver, played with malicious aplomb by perennial bad guy John Milford.

We know right from when she wheels into the frame that Aunt Sara is an alien, extending two pinkies to leave the audience no doubt. Ellen Corby plays her with relish, sliding sidelong into the frame and filling it with menace. Corby never was a warm grandmotherly type, and I think the menace would have been heightened had the producers cast someone like Ruth McDevitt or Marjorie Bennett. Nonetheless, Corby was effective.

I missed it on my first viewing years ago, but Kathy Adams referring to her Aunt Sara, whom we know is an alien, was a tipoff to her own otherworldly origins. Diane Baker plays Kathy so unassumingly and kind I can see why Vincent was duped. And Kathy also gives the series nuance: "We're not all like that" is a profound statement. And as the series progresses we see how complicated things can be, calling for critical discernment as opposed to killing them all.

One weakness in the story, albeit one necessary for the plot, was Vincent allowing Kathy to convince him to wait in the café instead of the hotel, where Vincent told Landers to meet him.

Speaking of the café, I laugh thinking of Vaughn Taylor, who usually plays stuffy, serious, and upstanding characters, in the role of a dirty old man unashamedly admiring the swaying posteriors of the Ackerman sisters. Hmm, were they all aliens too? I'm telling you, this show fosters paranoia. I think they would have to have been aliens, certainly no earthlings could be living in Kinney by this time.

An excellent series that has stood the test of time for fifty years. Now is the time for the series' cult of fans to convince an unbelieving world--or at least one that associates science-fiction with special effects--that THE INVADERS is a series worth discovering or rediscovering. In the meantime, watch out for extended pinkies!

Cheesy but watchable! The pilot episode explains the invaders, what they are doing, and how David Vincent must stop them. There is gaps, slow parts but still interesting science fiction. Not bad for 1960's television. I remember the show as a kid, and I find Beachhead is just okay. I would love to see a remake with to days special effects, and modern scripts. The Invaders would make a great remake or even movie. Six out of ten stars. A great concept! Reminds me of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The Invaders series get better with time when compared to the pilot episode. There is a few memorable episodes and famous actor in the series. Worth buying the box set.

Beachhead is about David Vincent being witness to a spaceship, in the earlier hours of the morning on a side road, while taking a nap.

I thought it was alright, though lacking in terms of standout moments or excitement, but it has a quality about it and definitely warrants continuation. Roy Thinnes has a fair presence about him in the lead role. Is he not Thomas Jane or what? It was unfortunate that Kathy ended up being one of them, I liked her.