This black and white horror mystery has now developed cult status and filmed at the former MGM British Studios which had been located in Borehamwood. Adapted for the screen from the novel entitled The Midwich Cookoos by John Wyndham and directed by Wolf Rilla, the 1960’s version strives to remain faithful to the book; there was a remake in 1995 and a sequel entitled Children of the Damned. Set in England in the 1950s, the story opens with the entire population of the village of Midwich, including animal life, falling unconscious. The pilot of an observation aircraft travels below 5,000 feet above the area and subsequently crashes. The village is cordoned off by the military but quite suddenly everyone regains consciousness with seemingly no ill effects. Approximately two months later the village’s womenfolk of child bearing years discover they are pregnant and all give birth on the same day. The children have similar features and grow at a remarkable rate; they are also telepathic. Some three years later it is discovered that other areas experienced a similar phenomena. Professor Gordon Zellaby (George Sanders) whose brother-in-law, Alan Bernard (Michael Gwynn) is in the military, begins to investigate as his son, David (Martin Stephens) is one of the children. The children’s power and evil becomes increasingly evident to Gordon who realises he must take action against them but the children’s telepathic powers mean he must ensure they do not read his plans in his mind.

Release / Airing: 07/12/1960