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Director John Brahm's, THE BELLERO SHIELD, is an
out of the ordinary tale of alien/human contact.
Martin Landau, under Brahm's firm direction, delivers a well modulated
performance. He is convincing as a dedicated scientist, more interested
in helping mankind than in fame or power.
Sally Kellerman gives a strong performance as Landau's ambitious wife.
Thrilled to have a space alien in her house, she excitedly tells housekeeper
Chita Rivera, "It's real, it's alive, and it's ours!"
Chita Rivera ("West Side Story") is fascinating as Landau
and Kellerman's servant. She glides around the house silently, catlike,
with bare feet, her dancing training evident in her every movement.
Neil Hamilton, Commissioner Gordon on TV's "Batman", does
a nice turn as Landau's wealthy mogul father. He does a credible transition
from cynical to amazed. He becomes dazzled by the Bellero shield, and
the fame it could bring his son, and by reflection, himself.
My favorite scene is when the alien appears, riding down a beam of laser
light into Landau's lab. While not realistic, the scene has a great
fairy tale/fable feel to it, entirely in keeping with the yarn being
told.
Director of Photography, Conrad Hall, delivers consistently creative
visuals. Particularly effective is a shot of Landau and Rivera, photographed
through a shelf of glasses.
The music, by Dominic Frontiere, varies between ominous and mushy. As
usual, the ominous stuff works better.
THE BELLERO SHIELD should be fairly watchable for most Sci-Fi viewers.
Landau/Kellerman fans will be delighted. BACK
TO: EPISODE
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