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Five super-intelligent, emotionless children are discovered around the world. They also have the power to control peoples minds (their eyes glow when they do this). They're all taken to London to be studied but they escape and barricade themselves in an old, abandoned church. But what do they want?

Not as good as the original "Village..." but this sequel showed real promise. It's effectively filmed in moody black & white and has some very talented British actors giving good performances. Also the kids themselves are extremely spooky--especially when their eyes are glowing. It also shows how various countries want to use the children for their own gain. It also leads up to a (sadly) violent climax leaving most of the questions unanswered. Basically, it's a cop out and that's too bad. If you're going to set up a situation like this at least give it an ending...don't just end with violence (although that may be the point). Some people think this is better than the original but I disagree. Still, I was never bored and admired the direction and photography. Worth seeing, if you can handle the lousy ending.

Children of the Damned is not so much a sequel to Village of the Damned as a supplement to it. This time it's children in the heart of London who are displaying terrifying powers. Instead of personalising the story as in the first film, this time screenwriter John Briley enlarges the scope to encompass some philosophical questions: what right does man have to interfere with evolution? Who's more scared, the adults or the children?

And of course, nature vs. nurture? Highly recommended, Children of the Damned is a fine example of British science fiction filmmaking, as good as Five Million Years to Earth.

Although it is often referred to as a sequel to "Village of the Damned", the plot differs in enough ways to make the claim seriously questionable. No mention is made of the events in the first film. The only real similarity is that the story concerns six children who are perceived as a threat to mankind because they possess strange telepathic and mind-control powers.

Unlike the first film, however, the children are of different nationalities (not identical blonds, as the children in the first film) and they do not mature at an accelerated rate.

It's as if the basic premise (six superintelligent kids who are a threat to mankind) was reworked into a new story. The children are explained as being "quantum leaps in evolution" (not alien offspring, as in the first film). And yet the story never clarifies why they were all born at approximately the same time in different parts of the world (coincidence?). When one sympathetic government agent asks the children, "Why are you here?", the children reply "We don't know."

A line of dialogue by a major character, stating that the children are here to help mankind, was later edited from the film. Too bad.

Mankind, rather than the kids, are portrayed as the bad guys. Despite some confusion over these basic plot elements, director Anton M. Leader does deliver a clear message concerning the hate, fear, and intolerance which society feels towards anyone who doesn't "fit in", as well as the greed for power which nations feel in their efforts to gain dominance over each other.

Six children from six different nations, each gifted with superior intellects and telekinetic powers, are tested by scientists keen to discover the limits of their capabilities. Inevitably, the children come to the attention of shady government types who wish to exploit the children for the purposes of national security, or failing that, destroy them. In fear, the children join forces and take refuge in a derelict church, where they are forced to strike back at those who might wish to do them harm.

Children of the Damned is generally considered to be a sequel to the excellent Village of the Damned; however, when viewed like this, glaring anomalies prevent it from being a fully satisfying experience. Children of the Damned is therefore best viewed as a standalone project; seen in this way, the film is more than worthy of any sci-fi/horror fan's time—an intelligent, thought-provoking piece that raises religious, ethical and philosophical debates and which, depending on how the somewhat ambiguous ending is interpreted, also delivers a prophetic warning: unless humans can overcome their innate distrust and fear of that which they do not understand, there can be no hope of survival for mankind.

Opinion about which of the 'of the Damned' films is better is seriously divided, but given the choice, I would always go for the freaky, blonde-haired and undeniably malevolent mutants of 'Village' over the normal looking, multi-cultural, and possibly benevolent saviours of mankind from 'Children'. Guess that's just how I roll...

When a film is a success, it is almost inevitable there will be a sequel to it. The classic 1960 sci-fi film Village Of The Damned is no exception to that rule and 1964's Children Of the Damned would be that sequel. While any sequel to Village Of The Damned would have big shoes to feel, this film doesn't quite live to the standards set by the original film. In fact, it is easy to say that Children Of The Damned is very much a sequel in name only that, contradictorily, requires knowledge of the original film for it to make sense as well as being a terribly dated Cold War parable.

The film certainly has a respectable cast. Ian Hendry and Alan Badel play Tom Llewellyn and David Neville, who both give believable performances as the two scientists who uncover the children and their powers. Barbara Ferris plays the aunt of one of the children who ends up becoming a spokesperson for the children while under their control. Alfred Burke gives perhaps the film's best performance as British government agent Colin Webster whose involvement only makes the situation worse as the film goes on. Together they are a cast that is more then a match for that in the original film.

One of the film's problems though is in its title characters: the children. Due to whatever reason, gone are the seemingly normal yet otherworldly and menacing children of the original. These children are the exact opposite. They are utterly normal children from five places around the world who lack any of the otherworldly feeling or menace of the original children. Even the special effect used on the eyes when the children are using their powers isn't really used and, when it is, it just doesn't look stand up to the effect used in the original film. The result is that perhaps one, single essential element of the film that needed to work just doesn't work.

The production values of the film are excellent. In particular the stark black and white cinematography of Davis Boulton gives the film a strong sense of atmosphere and menace throughout which helps the film immensely. The production design of Elliot Scott give the film the same feeling as the cinematography, especially in the form of the destitute church the children come to occupy for much of the film. One element that improves in this film is the score by composer Ron Goodwin that, after a rather mixed result in the original film, is never out of place and put to good use throughout. The success of the production values helps the film out immensely.

Along with the children, the script is another essential element that ends up having a rather mixed result. If anything, the script presents this film as a rather confused sequel to say the least. The script seems to require that the viewer have seen the original film to understand all the events taking place. Yet the film seems to spend most of its time wanting to distance itself as far as possible from the original film. The result is a confusing mix: the plot and events make little sense without having seen the original film but the story might as well be anything but a sequel. It also doesn't help that the film, by the admission of screenwriter John Briley, was more or less meant to be more of a Cold War parable. The children can be viewed as scientists around the world who the major Cold War powers (represented by the government officials in the film) want to put to use building ever more powerful weapons of mass destruction. While this would be a good idea to have explored somewhere else, this film doesn't really seem to be either the place to do it or even do it well. If anything the script seems to be drowning in good ideas (such as the revelations that come out in the films last few minutes) that are never put to good use. Also the Cold War parable gives this film something the original doesn't have: a terribly dated feel to it. The result is that the script is a rather mixed affair.

Children Of The Damned, even when viewed on its own and not as a sequel, is a rather mixed affair. Despite a fine main cast and excellent production values, the film's supporting cast (the children) and its script both are rather mixed in their results. When viewed as a sequel however, the film comes across as a rather confused sequel that requires knowledge of the original film for it to make sense as well as being a terribly dated Cold War parable to the point of becoming a sequel in name only. All this means that, while a decent film, it never quite works either as a sequel or as an original film either and is a bit of a letdown overall.

A decent British Sci-Fi sequel following the happenings of the Midwich women who were mysteriously pregnant by strange forces. Six impossibly intelligent children from all over the world with dangerous psychic powers, ray-gun eyes, genius IQs, and murderous dispositions hide in a church in England after the military tries to experiment on them. They are a sample of what man will evolve to in a million years and born all around the world. They result to be mind-controlling demons or aliens . Besieged, they warn the military to back off before carnage ensues. Two investigators (Alan Badel, Ian Hendry) bring the children togetherm and while they are being examined by sv¡cientists they escape. When the army gets involved, they find this force has precise boundaries. Meanwhile, government officers along with scientists, and military attempt to stop their plans of conquest. All new suspense shocker... even more eerie and unearthly than "Village of the Damned"!. So young, so innocent, so deadly - they came to conquer the world!. Beware the eyes that paralyze!!!

This nice sequel titled ¨Children of the damned (64)¨ by Anton Leader boasts a good cast, such as: Ian Hendry , Alan Badel, Alfred Burke, Patrick Wymark and Barbara Ferris . A suspenseful and interesting premise dealing with several strangely emotionless and unsettling children, continuing the former premise of the 1960 film in which disturbing kiddies all were born at the same time in a small village in Midwich. This classic Sci-Fi thriller contains chills , suspense , intrigue and creepy events about some precocious deadly children and their quest of power. Eerie and strange plot well developed by writer John Briley, based on John Wyndham novel titled "The Midwich Cuckoos" that focuses a British village visited by some unknown life form which leaves the women of the village pregnant. Special mention for the children who cause real terror, adding the creepy effects of their glowing eyes that were made by matting a negative image of their eyes over the pupils. Intriguing and atmospheric musical score by Ron Goodwin and packing appropriate cinematography from David Boulton photographing splendidly the scenarios from the church and city . The picture was professionally directed by Anton Leader. Rating : 6/10. Good due to provide tension enough and pleasant screams for the viewer .

Other renditions based on John Wyndham novel titled ¨The Midwich cuckoos¨ are the following : Village of damned (1960) by Wolf Rilla with George Sanders, Barbara Shelley, Martin Stephens,Michael G. Wynne , Laurence Naismith, Peter Vaughan. Dealing with a small village in England is completely subdued by an alien presence for an entire day. The scene is a village called Midwich in which a rare event overcomes the idyllic location . When the mysterious blackout is lifted, life for those affected returns to apparent normality - except every woman of child-bearing age inside the zone has suddenly and inexplicably fallen pregnant. Dealing with a thorny issue: women become pregnant by brood parasitic aliens, in fact long time ago, M. G. M shelved the project, because it was deemed potentially inflammatory and controversial, specifically due to its sinister depiction of virgin birth. It's subsequently made an acceptable remake (1995) titled ¨John Carpenter's Village of the damned¨ with the same premise still interesting enough to watch it and starred by Kirstie Alley, Christopher Reeve and Mark Hamill ; however, it suffers from unimaginative account because being a copy from original film with more violent and explicit scenes and fails to provide the intelligent atmosphere from previous story . And a TV series The Midwich Cuckoos (2022) with Keeley Hawes, Synnøve Karlssen, Lara Rossi, Max Beesley. Furthermore, radio shows in 1982, 2003, & 2017.

When You consider starting Your Review with... "Well... It COULD have been worse!" You know You are in trouble!

Obviously, the owners of the TITLE rights, wanted to cash in... And made a "SEQUEL" that really bares extremely little resemblance to the original film!

Sadly, as was more often than not the case with movies from the 60s and 70s, when a sequel was made, the results were almost always woefully inferior to the original! Sorry to say that CHILDREN is no exception! Absolutely every PLOT development is utterly and excruciatingly predictable! Production values range from barely passable to simply awful. Acting is either very flat or way over the top!

To be honest... I really wanted to like CHILDREN... But despite really making an effort to do so... I debated giving it 3***... But ultimately decided to be a tad generous ...and ended up bestowing it with 4****. IMDb says that LESS than 9% of viewers rated it 9 or 10 Stars... So, apparently, most people tended to agree with me pretty much!

In a London classroom, child psychologist Ian Hendry (as Tom Llewellyn) and genetics scientist Alan Badel (as David Neville) observe fair-haired student Clive Powell (as Paul). They are astonished by the young lad's ability to accomplish a difficult block-building task, in record time. It turns out young Powell is super-intelligent. He's also very strange. Investigating the boy leads Mr. Hendry and Mr. Badel to his self-described virgin mother, who almost immediately suffers a mishap. Powell's aunt Barbara Ferris (as Susan Eliot) moves in to care for the boy. Working for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Hendry and Badel find a total of six strange-acting children, from all around the world...

This follow-up to "Village of the Damned" (1960) deviates significantly from the earlier film. In the opening credits, it is noted to be a sequel to John Wyndham's story (originally called "The Midwich Cuckoos"). During the film, we are given an alternate reality concerning the origin and purpose of the children in question. It's unfortunate screenwriter John Briley's story doesn't exactly demonstrate continuity with "Village", "Children of the Damned" is engaging. An obvious attempt at diversity is welcome, and the co-starring couple has a living arrangement and relationship open to interpretation. Anton "Tony" Leader directs through an artful atmosphere. Mr. Leader's lack of a feature film oeuvre was a plus for television.

******* Children of the Damned (1/29/64) Anton M. Leader ~ Ian Hendry, Alan Badel, Clive Powell, Barbara Ferris

"Children of the Damned" is a reasonably entertaining follow-up, rather than sequel, to the 1960 classic "Village of the Damned". It explains its core idea, of a collective of aloof, powerful children, as being something *other* than the product of alien insemination. These kids - six in all - are born to mothers around the globe, without the need for conventional procreation. Officials such as Dr. Tom Llewellyn (Ian Hendry) and Dr. David Neville (Alan Badel) bring the children together for study, only for the kids to break free and hole up inside an abandoned building. They bring along a concerned adult (Barbara Ferris), and are able to build something quite remarkable. Soon, it is determined that these children may pose a serious threat to mankind, due to their superior intellect.

Knowing some of the back story, and how this was intended to be a more ambitious examination of mankind and its relationship to its saviours, does give it some substance. Originally, there was a speech by the principal child, Paul (Clive Powell), whereupon he realizes what purpose he and his peers are here to fulfill. With it removed from the picture, the finale just doesn't carry the same weight, although we are still filled with a deep sense of regret. The screenplay by John Briley does a devastating job at showing how differences in thinking and methodology can lessen the chances for education and enlightenment.

Once you get over the fact that this is a different variety of sci-fi, with less accent on horror elements, from "Village of the Damned", this does start to look better. If you compare them too much, this is naturally going to come as a letdown to some folk. It's still somewhat sad and scary, just in a different sort of way.

The acting is solid from the adults - also including Alfred Burke, Sheila Allen, Patrick Wymark, Harold Goldblatt, and Bessie Love - and just right by the blank-faced children. Powell and the others do a capable job of barely showing any emotion, right up until the end.

It's slowly paced, and low key, but it does have its rewards for patient viewers.

Seven out of 10.

Though Children of the Damned does bear some thematic similarities to 1960's Village of the Damned, it's not a sequel, but a confused allegory that is not only tedious and talky, but ultimately without point or purpose. The children of the title are ill-defined and ultimately uninteresting. Handsomely mounted, Children of the Damned is one of those films like Night of Dark Shadows(1971)where you sit and wait for something to happen. Village of the Damned was a minor classic;compact, chilling and clever, and it hooked you from the start. Even if you haven't seen Village of the Damned, Children of the Damned is bound to be a disappointment.

Children of the Damned has generally been considered grossly inferior to Village of the Damned. I beg to differ as the point of both movies is quite different. In Village of the Damned the children were the result of alien insemination (presumably) and were simply evil. In Children of the Damned they are the result of a jump in evolution and they, themselves, are unsure of who they are and why they are here. The mystery is cleared up however when Paul makes a very eloquent speech near the end of the movie where he states that they have realized that they are here to help mankind. This speech no longer exists on the video version. It apparently was edited out at some point. However without it the ending makes no sense. The dropped screwdriver is played as a tragedy in the movie which contradicts the impression that the children are evil. In fact what the movie is about is a religious theme about how mankind kills its saviors.

Scientists discover that there are six children who each have an enormous intelligence. The children are flown to London to be studied, but they each escape their embassy and gather in a church.

While this sequel will never have the sort of cult following the original has gained, it is not bad in its own right. What it does is create a story that spans nations, making a not so subtle argument about the advantages of working together rather than being at odds with one another. Coming out in 1964, this was no doubt a jab at the Cold War.

There is also the theme of self-preservation. One character remarks that if the children are allowed to grow up and have children of their own, they would some day inherit the earth. This would be an affront to humanity. Or at least humanity as we know it... evolution, which may be great on the whole, looks terrifying to those who are left behind.

I really enjoyed the first film "Village of the Damned" and while I admit this is no where near as good as that I still found it interesting enough and it did raise a few questions. I do admit that the children were dangerous and untrusting, I thought it was because they knew that we here on earth were a threat to their existence. So on that level we can understand why they acted the way they did. The ending I found sad and ironic. Like I said, this is not as good as the first film but I do think its worth a look.

The movie starts of as a really promising science-fiction/thriller in the same style as movies such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". Judging by just the first halve of the movie, this movie could had really grown into a science-fiction classic, if only the second halve of the movie had been just as good instead of just utterly ridicules and unlikely as it was.

"Village of the Damned", of which this movie loosely is a sequel, already wasn't exactly a masterpiece but it still grew out to be a classic, mainly thanks to its atmosphere and original story. "Children of the Damned" is in many ways similar to its predecessor. It has a promising concept and story but the execution of it all is just plain weak at times, which makes "Children of the Damned" nothing more than just an average science-fiction flick that just doesn't leave a lasting- or good impression.

I loved were the movie was heading to in the beginning. The story seemed promising and it all seemed like good enough material to make a good and pleasant horror like science-fiction movie with. But then suddenly the movie takes a not so positive turn, from the moment on when the children hide in the church. The story becomes utterly ridicules from that moment on and on top of that it also becomes uninteresting and not always totally understandable. I still don't exactly understand what the purpose and plan of the children was because the second halve of the movie is told so weak and ridicules. The movie had potential but all of that is ruined in its second halve.

The acting was quite solid and the movie had some good and interesting characters in it, that deserved a better character-treatment.

There still are some good and memorable moments in the movie and fans of British science-fiction/horror will still find plenty to enjoy in this movie but it just isn't one of those movies that leaves a very big impression. The story-telling, in especially its second halve, is far too weak for that.

Just as bad/good as its predecessor.

6/10

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Many of you out there can relate. When I was a kid, like any other kid, I adored Christmas. However, like most kids, there were times when I got presents that looked wonderful--until I opened them. Getting underwear or socks were such "presents". Well, CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED is like a pack of underwear at Christmas. It looks great, you really anticipate it and when it arrives you are thinking "is this all that there is?!?". That's because the first film, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, was an amazingly good movie--one of the best of the 1960s. Yet, this eagerly anticipated sequel is a horrible, horrible film--rotten in just about every possible way. The only other original film and sequel that may THAT much different might be WILLARD (a fine film) and BEN (a sequel so saccharine that I feel nauseous just thinking about it).

So why is CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED so darn bad? Well, in the original, these "children" were alien creations with super-advanced brains and telepathic powers they used for evil. They viewed outsiders the same way we might view ants! Yet in the sequel, these children are creepy looking and gifted BUT they just want to be left alone and be given respect!!!!! What happened to all the terror?! In VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, the kids talked in a creepy monotone manner as one voice AND they used their powers to force people to drive into walls or kill themselves. Here, they just whine about wanting understanding!!! So, a sequel to a horror movie has become, instead, like a live action version of the comic strip "Wee Pals"!!! Ugghh!! Now that is scary!! The production values are okay--so I am giving it two stars. This is generous, as the plot is just horrid--an abomination and a complete waste of time.

This sequel is not at all comparable to it's predecessor. There were no adequate explanations as to why they suddenly reappeared, their former growth rate uncommented on, their ability to read minds obviously diminished and all in all sloppily acted. In the final massacre they actually made some attempts at sporadic humour, but without any sparkle it quickly became almost grotesquely perverted.

Anton Leader directed this semi-sequel to "Village Of The Damned" that stars Ian Hendry as a sympathetic psychologist in charge of studying six children of high intelligence and different nations who have gathered in a church for an unknown purpose. The military is also involved, and have surrounded them, unsure of how to proceed, as the threat is undetermined. Needless "sequel" doesn't even refer to the events of the first film, despite the title, and is also quite dull and uneventful. It does have fine acting, and some interesting ideas of course, but doesn't handle either of them well, and result is a misfire; stick with the superior "Village" instead.

Title: Children of the Damned (1963) Director: Anton Leader Cast: Clive Powell, Barbara Ferris, Ian Hendry, Alan Badel Review: Having seen the first film (Village of the Damned) and loved its eerie ideas of children with powerful psychic powers taking over the world I looked upon the opportunity to see its sequel Children of the Damned with great anticipation. Would it be just as good as its predecessor? The story is about these very intelligent kids with psychic powers that start to sprout all over the world. Women start giving birth to these kids all over the planet, sometimes women who have never been with a man or women that aren't married. So as would be natural in a situation such as this, the government starts to take notice of these kids and sees in them military intelligence potential. So, each country tries to grab a hold of their special child and of course they have plans to exploit these kids in the military endeavors. Unfortunately for the governments of the world, the kids are not up for it.

This is a flick from the early 60's, and at that time creature features where very popular (Dracula, Frankenstein, Giant Spiders, Giant everythings) so when a series like this one shows up where its got no special effects, no monsters, no men in suits destroying the city...well you kind of get to wondering, will it hold interest? It is a horror film and people expect to get spooked...but no monsters or effects? Yes, thats right, the creatures in this film are just kids and believe me thats enough. I thought it was great how this series of films managed to be so good without the monsters and effects. Its just a good chilling story, with a good premise and great performances.

The first one was about presenting us the kids. Suddenly there they where amongst the town of Midwich in London. There they were using their powers on people and there they were killing whoever got in their way. But that first movie never answered any questions. It just asked them. Who where these kids and what did they want? And thats where this sequel comes in.

For a moment there while I was watching it I thought the answers where never going to come and that the filmmakers where going to continue toying with the audience and keep us in the dark about the kids purpose, but low and behold, this sequel actually gives us some insight on why the kids are here.

There's a lot of great moments on this film that shouldn't be missed, for example when the kids lock themselves up inside of a spooky old church and barricade themselves in it. I loved that weapon that they created with the giant old piano in the church! That has to be one of the coolest and most original things I've ever seen on any movie! Awesome moment.

The last 20 minutes of the film are really gripping and tense so I suggest that you stay all the way to the end and not give up on this film. The filmmakers really came up with an interesting situation that turns red hot in the suspense o meter with the kids facing off with the military. I know its an old movie, and I know its not as fast paced as todays films, but dammit, this is a gripping, intense and suspenseful tale. Screw special effects! This is a good story! The only thing I didn't like was that I thought the look of the children on the first one was spookier. I liked the fact that they all had blond hair. The looked like drones or clones of some sort. The big distinction with the sequel is that the kids are all from different nationalities and are all different looking. One is Indian, one is African, one is Chinese and so forth. I just thought it would have been creepier if they were all from different parts of the world yet looked the same. Still its no big deal because the children are just as scary once you get into the movie.

Anyhows, I highly recommend this great sequel if your into good story and suspense in your films (even if they are in black and white and old) well then your in for a treat.

Rating: 5 out of 5

CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED (1963)

Follow-up to VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960) is not quite up to the original, but this sequel takes things a step further as more potentially dangerous, advanced alien children cause concerns to mankind.

What's interesting this time is the switch to seeing children of different countries now possessed (India, Russia, America...). There's more of a serious political undertone to this story, which works in its favor.

**1/2 out of ****

Marginally entertaining time-waster, a sequel to 1960's "Village of the Damned", has super-intelligent, multi-cultural children dominating all grown-ups with their imposing mental prowess. Impossibly straight-faced thriller isn't dull, however it certainly isn't as stylish as its predecessor, though this screenplay thankfully dispenses with the psychological subtext and gets right down to business. Amusing parallels to the later "The Boys From Brazil" keeps it interesting, but the eerie impact of "Village" is sorely missing and the cast (Alan Badel, Ian Hendry, Barbara Ferris) just goes through the motions, as does director Anton Leader. ** from ****