If you're still waiting for the apocalypse to happen, it already did, folks--way back in 1963 when United Artists unleashed upon the world an invasion of Triffids, plant killers from outer space. The fact that most of Earth's population had gone blind gazing at the meteor shower that brought the botanical beasts to terra firma in the first place made it all the more disastrous. Based on renowned science-fiction author John Wyndham's novel, the movie took many liberties with the book, but the result was the same: sentient plants invaded Earth and nearly destroyed it (the novel ends unresolved).
Directed by Steve Sekely and Freddie Francis, the script was written by Philip Yordan and Bernard Gordon adapted (very loosely) from Wyndham's story. Money ran out during the production when there was on sixty minutes worth of film in the can. Funding finally came through and the climactic lighthouse scene was added.
Box office earnings are not readily available, but it was promoted heavily and trade journals of the day indicated it was popular and making money. For all the production problems and snafu's, THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS turned out to be an exciting and entertaining sci-fi/horror film, and I for one, rank it high on my list of favorite giant monster movies.
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS one-sheet theatrical poster and original art by Joseph Smith:
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| One-sheet theatrical poster (Italy) |
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| Theatrical re-release, ca. 1980's. |
An article from MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR (August 15, 1962) describing how to promote THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS at theaters to maximize profits.
This promotional preview sheet features Triffids as they might have appeared in a RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT newspaper strip. A glassine envelope with a few colored "Triffid" sunflower seeds was sometimes attached.
An article from MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR (May 15, 1963) that discusses another promotional gimmick.
On the hunt for Triffids! A promo stunt at a Cleveland greenhouse prior to the film's release. From BOXOFFICE SHOWMANISER (July 1, 1963).
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS reviewed in FILM BULLETIN (May 13, 1963):
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS lobby cards:
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS stills:
FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #23 (June 1963):
Charlton put the stills supplied to them from United Artists' publicity department to good use by slapping together this "photo filmbook" from MAD MONSTERS #6 (Fall 1963):
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS was adapted into comic strip form in Marvel's UNKNOWN WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION #1 (cover by Kelly Freas) and #2 (January/March 1975) scripted by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru and Ernie Chan:
Read Part 2 HERE.
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS trailer:
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS feature-length film:
Theater banner:
Want to read more about plant monsters? Click HERE.
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