Before Aliens attacked, Neo solved The Matrix, and George Lucas took us to a galaxy far, far away, the '60s were home to a wealth of cheesy, funny, and sometimes overwrought science fiction films. What started in cinemas in the 50s as space invasion horror eventually morphed into adventure stories, then into social commentary in classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes.
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Although it's difficult to reconcile an adult review of these films versus the wide-eyed naivete that some of us had seen them as a youth on TV (or even on the screen), it's apparent that some films have aged better than others.
Overrated - 2001: A Space Odyssey
We’ll start with the granddaddy of all '60s sci-fi films, perhaps all sci-fi films in history: Stanley Kubrick's laborious production of Arthur Clarke’s seminal novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Long, confusing, low on dialogue, and covering the scope of time no less than the complete evolution of man, Kubrick’s magnum opus is a grand, luxurious cinema. It's also really, really boring for some fans, something to keep in mind when trying to introduce it to your kids.
It may be unfair to tag 2001: A Space Odyssey as overrated when it's held in such high esteem. However, its elevated position in pop culture makes watching it today like watching a parody of all notable sci-fi films, and the intentionally indecipherable ending doesn't get any better on repeat viewings (unless you’ve read the book).
Underrated - Planet of the Apes
The other classic '60s sci-fi movie, Planet of The Apes, hasn't aged that well either. The titular apes don't appear until one-third of the film has spooled, and the meandering ending, although memorable, seems out of place with the second act.
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Nonetheless, Planet of the Apes is still a great film, from the costumes to the actors to the gritty, post-apocalyptic setting. Planet of the Apes was down-to-earth science fiction that embraced its sweaty, earthy setting, and when Charlton Heston spits out his memorable lines, they still chill the viewer. All together now: “Take your stinking paws off me, …”
Overrated - Village of the Damned
Speaking of the damned, 1960’s Village of the Damned is a mildly frightening slice of English horror that owes more to cheap Hammer Studio films than the more intellectual sci-fi that followed. Overwrought and self-satisfying, its story of evil school children has been repeatedly spoofed by The Simpsons and others.
Despite the word “damned” being considered dirty in 1960, it made for a better title than the source material, John Wyndham’s novel The Midwich Cuckoos. Village of the Damned was successful enough to inspire a sequel (Children of the Damned), a ripoff (1963’s The Damned), and a remake in 1995.
Underrated - Fantastic Voyage
Fantastic Voyage has a bad reputation with movie fans because it asked audiences to accept that bombshell Raquel Welch could play a top medical scientist, the same year many were ogling her in a fur bikini in One Million Years B.C. Donald Pleasence’s twitchy, hysterical take on Dr. Michaels doesn't help its critical appeal, and the gossamer special effects pale in comparison to today’s CGI.
However, the story still resonates, and the thrill of the countdown for our miniature explorers to complete their mission does as well. Any movie made since the '60s where people shrink in size, for fun or science, is always compared to Fantastic Voyage.
Overrated - Barbarella
They say “sex sells movies,” and that was no more apparent in the '60s, particularly with Jane Fonda’s overrated romp Barbarella. Only an overly nostalgic or camp movie buff - or perhaps one who’s over-stimulated, one of Barbarella’s central themes - could still embrace this messy, cheesy production.
Fonda’s then-husband Roger Vadim directed this comic strip as an exploration of sexuality in a fantastic, other-worldly setting, but its themes of female empowerment and class struggle get lost in bad effects and listless plotting. Barbarella had a strong impact on modern cinema and gave us the inspiration for the name of pop group Duran Duran, but there will only be embarrassment showing this to anyone under 30.
Underrated - The Day of the Triffids
The plot of Day of the Triffids, adapted from Wyndham’s 1951 novel, sounds outright stupid: carnivorous plants activated by a meteor shower terrorize southern England. Then again, many popular movies sound silly when summarized, e.g. if a city bus drops below 50 mph it will explode.
The Day of the Triffids gives us just enough thrills, plotting, characterization, and spooky scenes of abandoned London to keep the viewer engaged. Another one of those movies that take a clever idea as far as it could go cinematically, The Day of the Triffids is a better film than it sounds like it should be.
Overrated - King Kong vs. Godzilla
It’s probably unfair to judge any of the '60s Godzilla movies on their merit from a 2019 viewpoint. Even back then, we all knew it was a guy wearing a costume, yet the tantalizing meeting of two-storied movie creatures - the mighty King Kong against the King of Monsters - was a mild disappointment.
Although a worldwide hit in 1962, even Japanese audiences were tiring of seeing feckless Godzilla pummeling another seaside town, with the standard running, screaming, and smashing of styrofoam buildings. We’ll just have to wait and see how the remake fares in 2020.
Underrated - The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Science fiction movies in the '60s weren’t all produced to frighten or provide social commentary on the human condition. Besides numerous spoofs (more on this below), Disney decided to give one of their family-friendly movies a sci-fi slant with The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. While films like The Absent Minded Professor and Son of Flubber are considered comedy classics, Ken Russel’s starring role here is often overlooked.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is also lost in the catalog of Disney comedies at the time (like the Herbie movies). It’s success lead to the similarly scientific yet wacky sequels, Now You See Him, Now You Don’t and The Strongest Man in the World.
Overrated - Fahrenheit 451
One of the most lauded novels of the 20th century, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was itching for adaptation to film in 1966, and Universal Studios helped persuade French auteur Francois Truffaut to bring it to life. Although Truffaut is considered one of the most prominent European directors of all time, his take on the novel was esoteric and dreary, with the occasional terrifying in-camera flamethrower effect.
The presence of actress Julie Christie, one year removed from her memorable role in Dr. Zhivago, was still unable to elevate the movie. In retrospect, asking Truffaut to help Fahrenheit 451 reach a box-office success would be like asking David Lynch to take on Dune … wait, what?
Underrated - Doctor Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine
Few have ever heard of this film, must less watched it. Although we’re not recommending anyone go out of their way to see Vincent Price stalk and yell his way through this zany comedy, consider the pedigree it left behind. It was a spoof of the James Bond movies well before Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, even mocking the term “gold” in the title as Mike Myers did years later. It featured a title song by The Supremes, a lucrative use of top pop musicians fostered by Hollywood to this day.
The title animation, rendered via painstaking stop-motion, predated the great battles of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad by eight years. The aforementioned Price is still considered one of the great actors of his day, regardless of how many sub-par movies he made. Tag Dr. Goldfoot and His Bikini Machine underrated for its legacy, not for its actual delivery.