Alien invasions, mutants and paranoia: British and American science fiction cinema in the 1950s and 1960s
Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This online film studies course explores American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and the ways in which it has been understood both as genre and as an index of the social and political climate of the period. In doing so, it will consider Hollywood cinema of the 1950s as a context for the production of the films, and their marketing and exhibition, along with a range of critical accounts of the films. Films featured in week 1 of the course may include the following: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), The Thing from Another World (1951), Invaders from Mars (1953) The War of the Worlds (1953), It Came from Outer Space (1953), Them! (1954), The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Forbidden Planet (1955), Tarantula (1955), This Island Earth (1955), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957).
Week 2
This online film studies course explores British science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s and its distinctive approach to themes including invasion, 'otherness', and scientific and technological disaster. We will consider a group of films that differ markedly from those of American science fiction cinema cinema of the period, and the ways in which this not only offers a differentiated form of the genre - a 'national' cinema - but also one that reveals an unexpected relationship with other aspects of British cinema of the period, such as realism. We will also be thinking about the reception of these films, and a range of ways of thinking about them. Films featured in week 2 of the course may include the following: The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), X the Unknown (1956), Quatermass 2 (1957), Fiend Without a Face (1957), Village of the Damned (1960), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Unearthly Stranger(1963), The Earth Dies Screaming (1964), The Night Caller (1965), Invasion (1966), Island of Terror (1966), Night of the Big Heat(1967), Quatermass and the Pit (1967).
What will we cover?
Week 1
• Science fiction as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s • Sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s • Themes in American 1950s science fiction cinema • Hollywood in the 1950s as production context (production, distribution, marketing and exhibition) • Critical accounts of science fiction cinema of the 1950s.
Week 2
• Genre - British SF cinema as a 'differentiated' genre • Themes including invasion, 'otherness', and 'science gone wrong' • Production contexts • The concept of British cinema as a 'national' cinema • Film style and realism • Critical responses to British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Week 1
• Identify an assess SF as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s • Identify and assess a range of sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s • Identify and assess a range of themes in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s • Describe the organisation of Hollywood in the period as a production context for these films • Evaluate a range of critical accounts of 1950s American SF cinema.
Week 2
• Identify, describe and evaluate key features in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s • Identify and evaluate a range of themes in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s • Describe the production contexts of this group of films • Evaluate British cinema as a 'national' cinema • Evaluate film style and the use of realism in this group of films • Evaluate British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s within a critical framework.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Jon Wisbey teaches film at City Lit and Morley College. He was for many years a committee member and vice-chair of Chelmsford Film Club, screening contemporary and classic world cinema releases. He has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. His teaching focuses on classical and post-classical Hollywood, European cinema, British cinema, film noir and horror cinema.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/alien-invasions-mutants-and-paranoia-british-and-american-science-fiction-cinema-in-the-1950s-and-1960s2745101Alien invasions, mutants and paranoia: British and American science fiction cinema in the 1950s and 1960shttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film/Courses/Online courses228511771580207917311228511771580<p>Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>002745014Alien invasions, mutants and paranoia: British and American science fiction cinema in the 1950s and 1960s6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/50-films-HF004-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF0356969Alien invasions, mutants and paranoia: British and American science fiction cinema in the 1950s and 1960s554569Jon Wisbeyalien-invasions-mutants-and-paranoia-british-and-american-science-fiction-cinema-in-the-1950s-and-1960s/hf035-2526<p>Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>Week 1</p><p>This online film studies course explores American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and the ways in which it has been understood both as genre and as an index of the social and political climate of the period. In doing so, it will consider Hollywood cinema of the 1950s as a context for the production of the films, and their marketing and exhibition, along with a range of critical accounts of the films. Films featured in week 1 of the course may include the following: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), The Thing from Another World (1951), Invaders from Mars (1953) The War of the Worlds (1953), It Came from Outer Space (1953), Them! (1954), The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Forbidden Planet (1955), Tarantula (1955), This Island Earth (1955), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957).<br/> </p><p>Week 2</p><p>This online film studies course explores British science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s and its distinctive approach to themes including invasion, 'otherness', and scientific and technological disaster. We will consider a group of films that differ markedly from those of American science fiction cinema cinema of the period, and the ways in which this not only offers a differentiated form of the genre - a 'national' cinema - but also one that reveals an unexpected relationship with other aspects of British cinema of the period, such as realism. We will also be thinking about the reception of these films, and a range of ways of thinking about them. Films featured in week 2 of the course may include the following: The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), X the Unknown (1956), Quatermass 2 (1957), Fiend Without a Face (1957), Village of the Damned (1960), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Unearthly Stranger(1963), The Earth Dies Screaming (1964), The Night Caller (1965), Invasion (1966), Island of Terror (1966), Night of the Big Heat(1967), Quatermass and the Pit (1967).</p><p>Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p><p>Week 1</p><p>• Science fiction as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Themes in American 1950s science fiction cinema<br/>• Hollywood in the 1950s as production context (production, distribution, marketing and exhibition)<br/>• Critical accounts of science fiction cinema of the 1950s.</p><p>Week 2</p><p>• Genre - British SF cinema as a 'differentiated' genre<br/>• Themes including invasion, 'otherness', and 'science gone wrong'<br/>• Production contexts<br/>• The concept of British cinema as a 'national' cinema<br/>• Film style and realism<br/>• Critical responses to British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s.</p><p>Week 1</p><p>• Identify an assess SF as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Identify and assess a range of sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Identify and assess a range of themes in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Describe the organisation of Hollywood in the period as a production context for these films<br/>• Evaluate a range of critical accounts of 1950s American SF cinema.</p><p>Week 2</p><p>• Identify, describe and evaluate key features in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s<br/>• Identify and evaluate a range of themes in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s<br/>• Describe the production contexts of this group of films<br/>• Evaluate British cinema as a 'national' cinema<br/>• Evaluate film style and the use of realism in this group of films<br/>• Evaluate British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s within a critical framework.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesAmerican filmvirtual556945HF035NONESat02/05/26 - 09/05/2610:30 - 13:0010:3013:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksWeekendOnlineOnlineJon WisbeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMay 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Alien invasions, mutants and paranoia: British and American science fiction cinema in the 1950s and 1960salien-invasions-mutants-and-paranoia-british-and-american-science-fiction-cinema-in-the-1950s-and-1960s/hf035-2526<p>Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>Week 1</p><p>This online film studies course explores American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and the ways in which it has been understood both as genre and as an index of the social and political climate of the period. In doing so, it will consider Hollywood cinema of the 1950s as a context for the production of the films, and their marketing and exhibition, along with a range of critical accounts of the films. Films featured in week 1 of the course may include the following: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), The Thing from Another World (1951), Invaders from Mars (1953) The War of the Worlds (1953), It Came from Outer Space (1953), Them! (1954), The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Forbidden Planet (1955), Tarantula (1955), This Island Earth (1955), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957).<br/> </p><p>Week 2</p><p>This online film studies course explores British science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s and its distinctive approach to themes including invasion, 'otherness', and scientific and technological disaster. We will consider a group of films that differ markedly from those of American science fiction cinema cinema of the period, and the ways in which this not only offers a differentiated form of the genre - a 'national' cinema - but also one that reveals an unexpected relationship with other aspects of British cinema of the period, such as realism. We will also be thinking about the reception of these films, and a range of ways of thinking about them. Films featured in week 2 of the course may include the following: The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), X the Unknown (1956), Quatermass 2 (1957), Fiend Without a Face (1957), Village of the Damned (1960), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Unearthly Stranger(1963), The Earth Dies Screaming (1964), The Night Caller (1965), Invasion (1966), Island of Terror (1966), Night of the Big Heat(1967), Quatermass and the Pit (1967).</p><p>Drawing on social, political and technological concerns of the period, British and American science fiction cinema of the 1950s and 1960s comprises a rich body of genre cinema with an enduring appeal. Looking at a range of films, this course explores their function as genre cinema through their style and thematic concerns, their production contexts, and a range of critical responses to the films.</p><p>Week 1</p><p>• Science fiction as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Themes in American 1950s science fiction cinema<br/>• Hollywood in the 1950s as production context (production, distribution, marketing and exhibition)<br/>• Critical accounts of science fiction cinema of the 1950s.</p><p>Week 2</p><p>• Genre - British SF cinema as a 'differentiated' genre<br/>• Themes including invasion, 'otherness', and 'science gone wrong'<br/>• Production contexts<br/>• The concept of British cinema as a 'national' cinema<br/>• Film style and realism<br/>• Critical responses to British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s.</p><p>Week 1</p><p>• Identify an assess SF as a major genre in American cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Identify and assess a range of sub-genres in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Identify and assess a range of themes in American science fiction cinema of the 1950s<br/>• Describe the organisation of Hollywood in the period as a production context for these films<br/>• Evaluate a range of critical accounts of 1950s American SF cinema.</p><p>Week 2</p><p>• Identify, describe and evaluate key features in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s<br/>• Identify and evaluate a range of themes in British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s<br/>• Describe the production contexts of this group of films<br/>• Evaluate British cinema as a 'national' cinema<br/>• Evaluate film style and the use of realism in this group of films<br/>• Evaluate British SF cinema of the 1950s and 1960s within a critical framework.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesAmerican filmconfigurable
20791580American filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/american-film1/2/285/1177/1580/20791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film
