This classic sci-fi drama only had a short two-season run in the late ‘60s, but has left such an indelible impact on fans that it’s almost a no-brainer that a box set of all the episodes would be a must-buy.
Created by Larry Cohen, who would later bring us classics like It’s Alive! And Q – the Winged Serpent, The Invaders utilises a conspiracy plot in which one man – an architect David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) – witnesses a UFO landing while resting during a long journey home. He then spends 43 episodes trying to convince the authorities and anyone else who’ll listen that we’re slowly being assimilated. It’s a premise that could get old very quick, but it’s a credit to the writing team that almost every episode stands up as gripping television. There’s impact of the McCarthy-era witch hunt against communism in the industry is an obvious inspiration for the series, as it was only a decade earlier that the US was being warned about ‘a red under your bed’.
Towards the end of the second season, Vincent finds allies in ‘the Believers’, a group that accept Vincent’s proclamations if aliens being on Earth. Although there are a few of these believers, we only see one regularly (played by Kent Smith).
Like many of the best TV shows of the era, there are plenty of special guest appearances from the likes of Roddy McDowall, Gene Hackman, Ed Asner, Ralph Bellamy, Michael Rennie, and Barry Morse, amongst others. This is Roy Thinnes’ show, however, and his everyman character makes him easy to root for.
Australian label ViaVision’s DVD set has commentaries on two episodes and some introductions from Roy Thinnes, as well as an extended version of the show’s pilot episode. What’s strange is this extended cut is also included as a Blu-ray, which begs the question why not release the whole set like that? It certainly doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of a classic show, though.
