Based on John Wyndham’s 1951 novel, The Day of the Triffids is a British science fiction horror film that blends Cold War paranoia with ecological terror. Directed primarily by Steve Sekely, with additional scenes by Freddie Francis, the film was released in 1963 (despite often being referred to as a 1962 production) and has become a cult classic for its eerie premise and ambitious scope.
Plot Summary
A spectacular meteor shower blinds most of the world’s population overnight. At the same time, Triffids—tall, carnivorous plants capable of movement and lethal attacks—begin to overrun civilization.
Bill Masen (Howard Keel), a merchant navy officer recovering from eye surgery, wakes up unaffected and quickly realizes the scale of the disaster. He teams up with Susan, a young girl who also escaped blindness, and together they navigate a crumbling society. Meanwhile, in a remote lighthouse, scientists Tom and Karen Goodwin discover that Triffids can regenerate and must find a way to destroy them.
Cast Highlights
- Howard Keel as Bill Masen
- Nicole Maurey as Christine Durant
- Janette Scott as Karen Goodwin
- Kieron Moore as Tom Goodwin
- Mervyn Johns, Carole Ann Ford, and Ewan Roberts in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The lighthouse subplot was added after filming wrapped, because only 57 minutes of usable footage had been completed. These scenes were directed by Freddie Francis, uncredited.
- The film diverges significantly from Wyndham’s novel, especially in its ending. In the book, the Triffids remain a threat, and Masen escapes to the Isle of Wight, hoping to regroup.
- Actress Carole Ann Ford suffered a minor injury during filming when a stuntman accidentally scratched her back during an action scene.
- The film’s music was composed by Ron Goodwin, but Johnny Douglas, credited with “additional music,” actually contributed more minutes of score than Goodwin.
Themes and Legacy
- Blindness as Metaphor: The mass blinding reflects fears of helplessness and societal collapse
- Nature Strikes Back: Triffids symbolize the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation
- Cold War Echoes: The meteor shower and global panic mirror nuclear anxieties of the era
- Cult Status: Despite its flaws, the film remains a favorite among fans of vintage sci-fi horror
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