Wolf Rilla (1920–2005)

This is a superbly minimalist masterpiece of science fiction paranoia that sees every living creature in the tranquil English village of Midwich falling unconscious. When they recover all seems well until it becomes apparent that all the women of child-bearing age are pregnant. Nine months later a group of identical white-haired children with strangely glowing eyes are born. Kindly schoolteacher (George Sanders) whose wife Anthea (Barbara Shelley) is one of the new mothers tries to figure it all out. The film is shot in crisp and clear but incredibly moody black and white that gives it a decidedly creepy edge. Wolf Rilla's direction is stealthy and he cleverly allows the horror of the situation to grow slowly and incrementally. He adds to the paranoia and eeriness by never providing a clear explanation of the events and by the way he shoots the creepy children: their blond-haired Aryan looks, their hive mind personality and their scarily glowing eyes are all simply done but are wonderfully effective and memorable. George Sanders is perfectly cast in the lead role as is his beautiful and much younger wife Barbara Shelley. Just as effective is the young Martin Stephen as their "son" who delivers a supremely creepy performance as the lead child. "Village of the Damed" is sparse and minimal, has little action or effects and is highly restrained in everything it does. That all works in its favour, however, making it an eerie, frightening and brilliantly paranoid little SF thriller.… (altro)