The Puppet Masters

Plot synopsis:
In the summer of 2007 Earth is under clandestine attack. Slug-like creatures, arriving in flying saucers, are attaching themselves to people's backs, taking control of their victims' nervous systems, and manipulating those people as puppets. The Old Man, the head of clandestine national security agency called the Section, goes to Des Moines, Iowa, with Sam and Mary, two of his best agents, to investigate a flying saucer report, but much more seriously the ominous disappearance of the six agents sent previously. They discover that the slugs are steadily taking over Des Moines, but they cannot convince the President to declare an emergency.
Sam takes two other agents and returns to Des Moines to get more evidence of the invasion. They fail and are obliged to leave the city quickly, but in the confusion of their fleeing the city's television center a slug sneaks onto one of the agents. Back in Washington the team discovers the slug and captures it, but later it escapes and attaches itself to Sam, using Sam's skills and knowledge to make a clean escape.
Thoroughly puppetized, Sam begins to infiltrate more slugs into the city, using the Constitution Club as a recruiting center. The Old Man captures him, takes him to Section's new headquarters, and interrogates the slug through Sam. Under drug-induced hypnosis Sam reveals that the slugs come from Titan, the sixth moon of Saturn. After recuperating from his ordeal, Sam finds that the President and Congress are ready to accept the idea that the United States has been infiltrated and they mandate a law that requires people to go naked to demonstrate that they are not carrying slugs.
As the army prepares a counter-attack in the most heavily infested areas, Sam goes alone to Kansas City to get an estimate of the number of slugs involved. There he learns that he can kill a slug by crushing it with his hand. He also discovers that the slugs reproduce through fission. Escaping from the city, he returns to Washington too late to stop the counter-attack, which fails.
After a short leave, during which they get married and kill a slug that seems to have been targeting Sam for repossession, Sam and Mary return to work. Together with the Old Man, they go to Pass Christian, Mississippi to inspect a flying saucer that had made a bad landing. Inside the alien ship Mary is overwhelmed by repressed memories from the time she was a child on Venus and had been possessed by a slug. The slug had died from Nine-day Fever but Mary, luckily, had survived the disease.
Adopting biological warfare, the authorities culture Nine-day Fever and its cure in bulk sufficient to cover the country, and then infected slugs are allowed to escape into the heavily infested areas. Several days later thousands of medics are landed in those areas to give the cure to those people whose slugs have died. Sam and the Old Man join the effort in Jefferson City, Missouri, but the Old Man is possessed by the last healthy slug in the city and he knocks Sam out.
Sam regains consciousness in an air-car that the Old Man is flying to the Yucatán, where the slug intends to restart its effort to conquer Humanity. With the car on autopilot, the Old Man slumps over the steering wheel and the slug begins to fission so that it can possess both the Old Man and Sam. In desperation, Sam kicks the controls, causing the air-car to accelerate so sharply that the Old Man is slammed back against the seat forcefully enough to crush the slug. The air-car's emergency system mitigates the resulting crash and Sam and the Old Man wait to be rescued.
Some years later Sam and Mary board a spaceship headed for Saturn on a mission to exterminate the slugs.

Tags: revenge, suspenseful, psychedelic, murder, violence

Review:
Donald (give me another part in an alien pod movie) Sutherland interprets the role of Adam "The Old Man" Nivens, head of a secret government protection agency that has its hands full trying to stop an alien invasion by slug-like mental parasites which tap into people's brains, controlling them toward their own ends.
The opening scenes do justice to the setting and atmosphere of the book, and the skeleton of the original plot is unpredictable and thrilling, but eventually, the compromises in adaptation give rise to Hollywood-style sci-fi conventions such as alien hives.Several realistic, key elements are thrown out, along with almost all of the sharp dialogue which made the book a hit.
However, being that Heinlein was one of the few sci-fi authors I +didn't+ read (I'm more of an Asimov and Bradbury fan myself) as a kid growing up, and I haven't seen the original film, I didn't have any problems with this movie when it came out in theaters.
The aliens are suitably creepy as my wife will agree, as she still refuses to watch it again, and it manages without the gore of many similar movies, although it is rather violent.Compared to another recent Heinlein adaptation, Starship Troopers, this film was much truer to the author's original work and is a thrilling and thoughtful treat.
It wasn't perfect, and elements were laughable, but despite this, it was true to itself..._this_ film was just the massacre of a perfectly good story.I only hope anyone else who ever tries to make a movie of a Heinlein classic will stick to the book and make a decent movie, not rehash the story until it sounds good - because they sounded good before..
And while it's a fairly non-epic movie it does feature some nice anamorphic Panavision photography and a bunch of character actors to keep you entertained in-between the silly plot developments.As well as feeling the X-Files it also comes across as an Invasion of the Body Snatchers rip-off, odd since co-star Donald Sutherland was in one of those movies.
Heinlein but with little in common, perhaps thanks to a zillion re-writes.These kinds of movies often have some kind of political subtext, but Puppet Masters embraces its low-brow but clever silliness and ends up a guilty pleasure..
As it is, they compact a wide-ranging tale set in the future into a dodgy action flick in the present day.Do yourself a favour - read the book.Donald Sutherland is too cool, though..
Also like Stpehen King, the results of adapting Heinlein's work into the format of film rarely live up to the potential set by the material.
Ironically, the Verhoeven/Neumeier adaptation of StarShip Troopers remains the best that Hollywood has come up with so far.The problem with The Puppet Masters as a film is that after a well-constructed setup in which the aliens are made entirely plausible, even somehow real, it descends rapidly into yet another action/sci-fi hybrid in the vein of Predator or Aliens.
The three stars are: limping leader Donald Sutherland (as Andrew Nivens), his handsome son and partner Eric Thal (as Sam Nivens) and sexy alien biologist Julie Warner (as Mary Sefton).
Thal and Warner are an attractive couple and Mr. Sutherland is a classic performer who can improve movies by simply being there.****** The Puppet Masters (10/21/94) Stuart Orme ~ Eric Thal, Julie Warner, Donald Sutherland, Keith David.
Probably produced following the smash success of The X Files, The Puppet Masters is a pretty solid slice of alien invasion pulp fiction.
Elsewhere, sci-fi genre fans may appreciate the appearances of Yaphet Kotto (Alien), Keith David (The Thing) and of course the great Donald Sutherland (Invasion Of The Body Snatchers).Behind the camera, it's an unusually British affair with director Stuart Orme, cinematographer Clive Tickner, and composer Colin Towns all heralding from the UK.
Good performances by Julie Warner and Eric Thal, and of course there's no role that Donald Sutherland can't pull off.
I've noticed that great sci-fi movies are almost always originally written for the screen, rather than adapted from books.
"The Puppet Maser" has at times an awfully TV-movie looking visual style and the characters and story are mostly wasted.
Still the movie is entertaining enough to find it watchable and perhaps even also recommendable.Still it's a shame, because the movie had all the potential to become a science-fiction classic in the style of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
Science-fiction fans will certainly enjoy this movie which is mainly due to the original alien invasion story and the above average special effects.Don't expect great things from the cast though.
Donald Sutherland is one of my favorite actors, I like Science Fiction, Robert Heinlein is one of my favorite authors.
My problem with this movie is (1) Robert Heinlein is my favourite science fiction writer, bar none; (2) The book on which this movie is based is one of his more forgettable works; and (3) The film is a decent effort, but it's a low-budget project and pretty uninspired.
There is nothing "wrong" with this movie, but almost any other Heinlein novel or story would have been better starting material.
Unfortunately Hollywood executives seem to think that Science Fiction fans are either idiots who cannot see the cavernous plot holes (ala Independence Day) or like the butchery of a good book into a movie that seems to use only the barest plot parts and character names.Times and places are changed.
Heinlein novel puts things right into gear when Eric Thal, Julie Warner and the ever-competent Donald Shutterland rush off to Ambrose, Iowa to investigate a registered UFO landing.
I loved only three things in this flick: Julie Warner's comment "bet your dad isn't happy he hired me, can't even do my job" Sutherland's cool emotionlessness until Sam almost dies--it's like without Sam he won't have anyone to abuse who won't tell him to go to heck!
Sam Nivens (Eric Thal), father Andrew Nivens (Donald Sutherland) and Mary Sefton (Julie Warner) are all part of separate government agencies who join together to fight the invasion.Not a faithful adaptation of Heinlein's book but still a good film in its own right.
The movie is marred by a weak ending, but if you're a sci fi fan its not a bad little time waster..
This film was ok but given the budget and the right director this book could have made a really great movie.
Donald Sutherland is sadly too old to really be the true 'hero' of the film and we're left with his far less charismatic on-screen son to fight the good fight.
It's cheesy and low budget and desperately wants to be a big budget A-list film, only it doesn't have the star power or money behind it to make it so.If you like your alien invasion movies (or are stuck in a perpetual time warp where you're in the nineties and still believe Area 51 holds the bodies of the Roswell aliens) then this one isn't so bad.
The Puppet Masters in My opinion is a good alien film!.
The Puppet Masters is a very good alien film.Donald Sutherland was good and it was unusual for male lead by Eric Thal.Julie Warner acted good and looked great!Will Patton's role was very different.Richard Belzer was the same as always and Marshal Bell was good but I was kinda disappointed by the role they gave to Yaphet Kotto as he didn't do much.The music is great!The Puppet Masters is a good alien film that is action packed and is never boring!I think all fans of alien films will like this!.
Government agents Andrew Nivens (Donald Sutherland) and son Sam (Eric Thal) arrive with Mary Sefton (Julie Warner) and Neil Jarvis (Richard Belzer) to investigate.
While "The Puppet Masters" is generally an entertaining movie with a good pace going for it, the simple fact is that it's much too belated an official adaptation of the Robert A.
We've seen other, similar stories since, including of course "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (although the Heinlein novel actually preceded the Jack Finney book of "Body Snatchers").
Also involved is Andrews' special agent son Sam (Eric Thal) and a scientist (the irresistibly cute Julie Warner) who specializes in theorizing about alien anatomy, believe it or not!The story isn't a bad one but just isn't that meaty; I'm told that, as is so often the case, that the book is a superior work of fiction.
The stars do good work (this wouldn't work as well were it not for Sutherland), and are well supported by a rich variety of top character actors and familiar faces: Keith David, Will Patton, Richard Belzer, Tom Mason, Yaphet Kotto, Gerry Bamman, Sam Anderson, Marshall Bell, Benjamin Mouton, Andrew Robinson, and Dale Dye (some of them, however, get no more than a few lines).Never boring but never that exciting, either, this does fall victim to the "more than one ending" cliché but does have its good moments too.
Three top level government agents (Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal and Julie Warner) make a disturbing discovery that extraterrestrial beings have landed on earth and they quickly take over control of the residents in a small midwestern town.
While the creatures multiply and spread quickly, the agents have to think fast and destroy these seemingly unstoppable aliens.Directed by Stuart Orme (Best known for directing TV Movies or TV Shows) made an entertaining, science-fiction thriller with an amusing performance by Sutherland as the sardonic lead agent.
Which Sutherland is no stranger to this kind of movie, since he was in the superior remake as the lead actor in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", which it was directed by Philip Kaufman.
Perphas some die-hard science fiction fans, it would make an great double feature with "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Puppet Masters" for one night viewing.
Heinlein's work, including the original novel "Puppet Masters", I can't really comment on whether or not this piece does him or his work any justice, but from a point of view that hasn't in any way been influenced by his work or others' opinions(...maybe scratch that last one), I must admit that it's not half bad.
Heinlein novel that stars Donald Sutherland as Andrew Nivens, and Eric Thal as his son Sam, along with Julie Warner as Mary Sefton, who are government scientists investigating a alien spaceship that has landed in the Midwest, and they soon discover that the alien inhabitants have somehow taken over the minds and bodies of residents in a plot to take over the Earth governments.
Heinlein novel, with the venerable Donald Sutherland in one of the lead roles, and with alien invasion the subject matter, this should have been at least a seven star Science Fiction film.
That is why films like the Star Wars saga really aren't Sci-Fi, but action/adventure first (and in the case of Star Wars, fantasy) and science fiction second at best.
The chemistry between Donald Sutherland as the leader of a secret government agency and his son, played by Eric Thal (an unknown at the time) is actually quite good.
While most will think, as I did, while reading the plot synopsis of the film that it is a rip-off of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (Sutherland starred in the remake of this film in 1978), the actual book was published in 1951, prior to the original film as well as the novel written by Jack Finney.
Bottom line: not a bad movie to watch when you know you will be distracted as it requires very little of your attention and there are enough action scenes to move the pace along, but science fiction and Heinlein fans will be disappointed..
Great underrated sci fi flick, almost as good as Invasion of the body snatchers.
I don't understand the whining about plot holes and other negativity because this is simply a great film with a nice reference to Invasion of the Body Snatcher, with Donald Sutherland in optima forma!
Heinlein novel!I wish more sci fi fans would know this movie because it deserves a lot more fame than it got.
"The Puppet Masters", as Maltin has said, lost some of it's potential edge, due to it's well-worn theme (initially made in 1958 via the low-budget, unauthorized version entitled "The Brain Eaters"), but it's nicely paced, with good performances, convincing, if revolting special effects, and a script at least moderately faithful to the Robert A.
This movie reminded me of lots of other Sci-fi movies like Aliens, X-files....Anyway Eric's beautiful nude distracted me from watching this to an end.
The ending seems copied from any old slasher movie where the monster simply won't stay down.A waste of Sutherland (who's always worth watching) and Warner (who's extremely beautiful in a low-key unglamorous way)..
I have never read the novel this was movie was based on, or any of his other works for that matter, so I have nothing to compare this film to.
"The Puppet Masters" doesn't seem like much that we haven't seen before; specifically, it looks like a remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
Sutherland, plus Eric Thal, Julie Warner, Keith David, Will Patton, Richard Belzer and Yaphet Kotto all pass in a middling movie.In the thick of everything, you gotta admit that those slugs were pretty nasty-looking..
From the perspective of someone who has never read Heinlein's novel, this movie seems highly derivative and offers nothing you haven't seen before (unless you have never seen any version of the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" story or anything similar).
A special Government agent named Sam Nivens (Eric Thal) meets his Father Andrew (Donald Sutherland), a biologist named Dr. Mary Sefton (Julie Warner) & a bodyguard Jarvis (Richard Belzer) at an airport.
The time to defeat this enemy is now, but how exactly...?Directed by Stuart Orme I thought The Puppet Masters was average at best but isn't too bad as far as mindless entertainment goes.
There is no gore & very little action as it's mostly dialogue driven, unfortunately the script tends to make who is infected & who isn't painfully obvious which means it loses a lot of the potential paranoia which worked so well in the Body Snatcher films.
THE PUPPET MASTERS is a lightweight, popcorn film at best, offering up a few thrills along the way but nothing of substance...INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, a blindingly obvious influence here, this isn't.
Funnily enough, the film is best when imitating INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, but when it turns into a low budget ALIENS wannabe towards the end, it loses all credibility.
The saving grace of this part is the nifty entrance to the "nest", done with the aid of a simple yet effective computer graphic.Donald Sutherland takes the lead, and having previously starred in an alien invasion movie in the '70s he knows exactly what to do.
It seemed like it they filmed it for another movie or something and just tagged it onto the end of this one..
Heinlein's turgid but influential sci-fi paranoia parable does a respectable job of shoehorning the original tale into a clean, commercial mid-90s package (though many of the author's concepts are, understandably, toned down) but betrays it's true motivations by cleaving hard to a model quite clearly borrowed from TVs contemporary pop-culture phenomenon The X-Files.Adapting the spine of Heinlein's story to the present day, the well-trodden narrative of alien takeover by stealth gets another airing; this time the culprits are nicely designed manta-ray-like parasites that affix themselves to the backs of human hosts, controlling their movements and actions if not thoughts or feelings.
The standard-issue Secret Government Taskforce investigates, and there are many twists and turns before the slugs are finally defeated, in a perhaps deliberate nod to H.G. Wells, by human pathogens.This is all fine and well handled as far as it goes, however the film hedges its bets by adopting both a look and style quite unapologetically lifted from Chris Carter's popular TV series, with the visual cues extending all the way to the physical casting of the two leads - Eric Thal coming off as a bland halfway point between Jimmy Smits and David Duchovney, while Julie Warner's look, height, hair and costuming making her look like Gillian Anderson's body-double just wandered onto the set - and to the cinematography, which resembles the flat, grey, underlit sheen of numerous Canadian-lensed sci-fi programs.With a solid supporting cast, just about enough action, some effective moments and a few of Heinlein's original concepts floating around in the mix, the film is almost entertaining enough to survive its wet leading actors, lack of genuine inspiration and openly cynical conception.
The novel was also fairly saucy for its time, with large chunks of the population having to peel down to their skimpies and beyond to prove that their clothing was not hiding the alien slugs.Well, as usual, Hollywood doesn't like to present the naked body to the viewing public, so the protagonists in this film version of Heinlein's story encounter more difficulty than they need to, simply by virtue of everybody keeping their clothes on.
An interesting adaptation of Robert Heinlein's original story about aliens that come to Earth and take over a small town as parasites controlling their host bodies.
Although the ending could have been better, and there were on or two slips on the parts of the characters, overall it is the best "realistic" sci-fi film since Aliens..
Heinlein's The Puppet Masters is a good alien invasion tale that plays itself out entirely by the numbers.
The Puppet Masters is full of great character actors like Andrew Robinson, Marshall Bell, and Richard Belzer, but the leads feel terribly out of place.
Other than those two, Puppet Masters features a who's who of terrific alien menace movies.
It features Donald Sutherland from Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Keith David from John Carpenter's The Thing, and Yaphet Kotto from Alien.