Plan Nine From Outer Space (1957) and Bride of the Monster (1955)

“Definitely Not the ‘Worst Film Ever Made’ ”

The BFI are releasing, in a two disc Blu-ray set, two of legendary director Edward D Wood, Jr’s unique forays into fantasy motion picture making. If you grew up during the 1980s then you’ll probably be aware of the renewed interest Wood’s movies were afforded during that decade, albeit as part of ‘Worst Movies of All Time’ lists. Well hopefully needless to say there are far, far worse films out there than Wood’s, and even if Eddie's do lack a certain technical competence, they are never less than watchable and also showcase valuable final performances (although it’s pretty much a cameo in one) of horror superstar Bela Lugosi. So let’s take a look at the set.

Disc One: Plan Nine From Outer Space (1957)

Aliens are determined to stop humankind before it can become advanced enough to making universe-destroying bombs. They do this by zooming over Hollywood in their flying saucers and bringing three people back from the grave. No it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but just sit back and enjoy the sight of TV ‘horror host’ Vampira staggering around a graveyard to little effect, pro-wrestler Tor Johnson as a police inspector doing his very best with the dialogue, fake-looking sets, a script that feels as if it was written in a hell of a rush and, of course, the sight of poor old Bela Lugosi in his last filmed footage. 

But there is something about PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE that keeps bringing people back to it, and it’s not a desire to poke fun at it but instead genuinely enjoy it for what it is. There’s a sincerity here amongst all the incompetence, a sincerity to entertain and a profound desire by Ed Wood to be a film-maker when such a career was probably beyond his abilities (although he does show some competence as an editor).

The BFI’s disc comes with two commentaries, an archival USA track from David DeCoteau and Ted Newsom, and a new British track from Ken Hollings and Vic Pratt. The opinions from either side of the Atlantic compliment each other nicely making them both worth a listen. Hollings returns for a 12 minute video essay Criswell Predicts 2026 in which he talks about the ‘psychic’ before moving onto other aspects of the film. There’s also Mark Kermode’s BFI introduction (four minutes), a 1950s documentary on UFOs (14 minutes) and 96 minutes of archival interviews wit Wood associates Dolores Fuller, Kathy Wood, Stephen C Apostolof and Joe Robertson. Bela Lugosi Leaves the Sanitarium is six minutes of newsreel footage of the star, and you also get a trailer and image gallery.

Disc Two: Bride of the Monster (1955)

As a bonus we also get what is probably Wood’s most accomplished film, with certainly his biggest budget. Somewhere in the everglades (probably) mad scientist Dr Eric Vornoff (Bela Lugosi) has been carrying out research to create a race of atomic supermen. So far he has made Tor Johnson, who needs to be controlled with a whip. Into his world come reporter Janet Lawton (Loretta King) and policeman Dick Craig (Tony McCoy) who put a stop to Vornoff’s experiments and ensure his pet octopus enjoys a hearty meal.

BRIDE OF THE MONSTER is almost a normal B picture for the era, but it’s the almost that makes it interesting, that and one scene where Lugosi has a monologue that’s moving because you know the actor is doing his absolute best for his director. It’s no classic (and nowhere near as odd as its sequel, NIGHT OF THE GHOULS) but if you liked PLAN NINE then you will very likely enjoy this too.

As with PLAN NINE we get two commentary tracks: an archival USA track from David DeCoteau and Ted Newsom, and a new British track this time from William Fowler and Vic Pratt, in which I was pleased to learn I’m not the only one to  have made the connection between Max Casella in Tim Burton's ED WOOD and Dougie Howser, MD.

Other extras include a bizarre three minute short film called WHITE LITE and a one hour Children’s Film Foundation production from 1972 called KADOYNG about an alien visitor. Familiar faces in that include Gerald Sim and Bill Owen. There’s also a trailer and image gallery. Finally, the BFI's set comes with a booklet that includes essays on PLAN NINE & producer J Edward Reynolds, Ed Wood's relationship with 'Bunny' Breckinridge, the climate in which the films were made, BRIDE OF THE MONSTER, Ed Wood at the Scala, and a charming piece from Jan Mathey about actor Paul Marco. 

Ed Wood’s PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE and BRIDE OF THE MONSTER are out from the BFI in a double disc Blu-ray set on Monday 19th October 2026