Benjamin
The Living Force
In the Cass substack, This Island Earth, a sci-fi movie from 1955, was mentioned for its depiction of a plane and the two protagonists being captured in mid-flight by a ufo. My dad had accumulated a small collection of these old sci-fi movies that he watched when he was a teen and since this was one of them, I dug it out, about two weeks ago, and watched it again after many years. It took on a different meaning since my understanding had changed. For fun, I then decided to re-watch some of the others we have and I noticed things that had never caught my attention before.
The first one I watched was The Man From Planet X, a very early ufo invasion movie released in 1951. The poster shows two spacemen but in the movie there is only one.
Here is a colourized version (1:10:28)
Synopsis:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Before the advent of 'martians from Mars' which took over the sci-fi genre, this movie starts with the discovery of a nameless planet (dubbed "Planet X") hurtling towards Earth having come from outside the solar system. As it nears, "strange astronomical phenomena" in the form of "inexplicable objects being sighted in the skies" are being reported from all over the globe. The phenomena were originally just random sightings until a tremendous concentration was recently detected around a particular area in northern Scotland, which incidentally was going to be the area where Planet X would pass Earth the closest. "Strange waves resembling, but still not, radar waves" are recorded bouncing off the Earth originating from "some unknown sphere" out in space, one presumes they're from Planet X, but this is never clarified. The planet is also going to be the closest object of any notability ever to pass the Earth with atmospheric disturbances, hurricanes and tidal waves to be expected.
Now, there are no subtitles in either my DVD copy or the online version so I can't be entirely sure, but the name of the "particularly barren and isolated area" in northern Scotland is called, what sounds like, Burray (one of the Orkney Islands) where (only) two scientists are stationed to observe the planet's passing.
The hero of the story, a American newspaper reporter named John Lawrence, travels to Burray and then to a tower called The Broch (fyi, the island was originally called Broch Island by the Vikings) where the two scientists, Professor Elliot and Dr. Mears, are headquartered to observe the planet which, at this point, is not yet visible to the naked eye.
That evening, Lawrence, who was picked up earlier in the nearby village by Enid, Professor Elliot's daughter, go for a walk on the foggy moors witnessing several flashes of what they consider to be lightning but without any thunder. They discover a rocket shaped object impacted into the ground and take it back to the tower where, after inspection, it is theorized that it came from outer space. A sample of the metal is taken and is found to be stronger than steel and only 1/5th its specific gravity. Dr. Mears shows his character, remarking that if the formula could be reproduced it would be worth millions and could bestow control of the industry of the world.
Being quite late, Enid drives Lawrence to his hotel in the village. On her way back she gets a flat tire and is forced to walk the rest of the way to the tower. Making her way through the fog, she sees a pulsing light in the distance and decides to investigate. She comes across a ship that has either crashed or landed awkwardly with the light coming from inside. Upon looking through a window, she is greeted with the face of the occupant, frightening her, and running away.
Back at the tower, she tells her tale to her father mentioning the light was a ghastly greenish colour (originally a b&w movie, the colourized version does not show green). Nevertheless, her descriptions fall on skeptical ears but her father decides to check her story and heads out with Enid guiding him. Mears, hiding in the shadows the whole time listening, follows undetected.
Having found the ship but not the occupant, a high-pitched sound is heard as a beam of light is emitted from the ship which eventually lands on the professors face. After a short duration, it turns off leaving the professor in a state of vacancy. Having observed all from a distance, Mears watches as the two leave quickly.
As Enid and her father walk across the foggy moors, the professor is acting strangely, appearing to be in a state of high suggestibility, doing everything his daughter says to the letter and nothing more, then waiting for the next command. Back at the ship, some type of antenna is deployed and a door opens.
Back at the tower, the professor has come back to his senses describing his complete paralysis of mind, with the exception of total slavish obedience, to his daughter and Mears. A short discussion ensues with Mears concluding the action was a hostile one and Enid asking if the ship has any connection to the incoming planet.
The next day, Lawrence takes a bike to the Brock and finds Enid's car on the road. Having been updated on the night's events once at the tower, Lawrence questions the theory of these "singular occurrences" being connected to Planet X. Unable to come up with another explanation, the idea of what it could all be leading up to is asked. The scenario is proposed that in 60 hrs. the planet's orbit will be at it's closest to Earth at Burray as will its inhabitants, alluding to a full transfer of its population from one planet to another? The question of if the police should get involved is squashed by reason of all the weeks of scientific study of the new planet would be completely disrupted by the influx of curious sightseers of the ship. It's also for the public's protection since the moors are covered with marshes that swallow everything that wander into them. Lawrence has not yet seen the ship so he and the professor head out.
At the ship, the two look through the window. The professor wears his wife's diamond ring which does not scratch the 'glass' when dragged across. After some discussion the two prepare to return to the tower when the spaceman confronts them holding what appears to be a gun of some sort. As they try to figure out what to do next, the spaceman's suit malfunctions and he starts to go down. Lawrence finds the problem (stuck valve?) and resuscitates the spaceman. The gesture is viewed as a friendly one and the demeanour of the spaceman changes to one of friendliness. Communication is useless so the two men head back to the tower. Once there, they realize that they were followed.
After giving a sedative to Enid, suggesting hysterics, the three men try to come up with a way to communicate since the spaceman's language consists only of long tones. Mears comes up with the idea of a common denominator being the universal language of geometry. Mears concocts the excuse that he needs full concentration without distractions to create the formulas. With some hesitation, the other two leave Mears and the spaceman alone. Once they're gone, he begins communication attempts by drawing a triangle, but has another plot up his sleeve.
The professor takes ill, and Lawrence heads to Enid's car to fix the flat. A policeman comes by and they chat for a bit. With the flat tire fixed, he takes the car into the village to get the professor some medicine.
In the meantime, Mears has moved on to showing the spaceman 'fire' the response to which is met with tones. Having secured a connection, Mears turns full maniac and attacks the spaceman in the hopes of tearing out every secret the spaceman has. By closing off the valve to the creature's breathing supply, his plan of torture to extract information is put into play. But he is interrupted by Enid who relays the message that her father would like to see him. Hedging his bet that the spaceman is thoroughly unconscious he answers the call with a regret to the professor that he was unable to establish communication the spaceman. While they converse, Enid goes to check on the spaceman herself.
Lawrence returns to find Mears with the professor. Not finding Enid in the kitchen, he goes to the room where the spaceman is being kept only to find the room empty. Lawrence and Mears, who has a gun, head out to the ship but do not see anything from a distance. Lawrence heads back to the tower to check on the professor leaving Mears on stakeout. Looking through the professors telescope, the planet is quite close.
The policeman from the road enters the room with another man named Gordy. The two are looking for two villagers who bring the sheep in from the moors every night as they have now gone missing. Lawrence informs the policeman that Enid has also gone missing but has a good idea where she is. Gordy is told to stay behind to look after the professor while the others head back out to find nothing but Mears binoculars. The ship appears to be gone and four people are missing. The two men head to the police station to find many concerned citizens awaiting answers about the missing villagers. The policeman assigns two villagers to wake the rest of the village up, bring weapons, and then to scour the moors. Gordy suddenly bursts into the room with a tale of seeing Mears taking the professor into the fog as well as seeing the spaceman. The policeman then admits to knowing the professor's reason for being at the Brock and of the planet hurtling towards Earth. The admittance of the spaceman being real and an alluded invasion sends all the villagers into a panic who hide in their homes.
The policeman tries to call London to bring in immediate help but the line is dead. Only during climate disturbances and the like have they had this problem before but they rule out all the possible causes which leads to only one reason which they don't speak of. The policeman gives Lawrence a gun who heads back to the tower by bike. While on the road, the two missing villagers try to abduct Lawrence but he gets away.
Having returned to the police station, Lawrence tells of the two men who tried to capture him. He says they were acting like mindless slaves. The conclusion is that the spaceman is trying to build an army. The whole village is in jeopardy but with the phone still not working, the only way to get a message out is by heliograph. Looking out the window (with the curtains closed!) they spot a passing boat which is within distance to receive the message.
Lone villagers start being taken off the streets and back to the ship. Lawrence sneaks over to see the beginnings of fortifications being built around the ship. He returns to the station and informs the policeman. He then learns that two more villagers have been taken to which Lawrence replies, "If the men left don't buckle down the job, this is going to be a village of zombies." Two inspectors from Scotland Yard arrive having received the message relayed from the passing boat and are updated on the situation.
Later, a discussion is held at the tower as to what to do. The inspector gives Lawrence 1-1/2 hrs. to rescue the humans before the army opens fire and destroys the site. Instead of activating his plan, Lawrence goes to a room and writes the story up to that point for the newspapers as a sort of 'last will' which he gives to the inspector to send to the "right hands" if anything should go wrong.
Lawrence's plan is simple. Behind the embankment built around the ship sits the suggestible professor. Talking with him, Lawrence learns that Enid is inside the ship then tells him to climb over the embankment and walk straight forward, which he does without question. The professor obviously was not programmed very well if he was acting as a guard.
He then calls Mears over and tells him to kneel down. Mears tells him that he was able to communicate with the creature. He spills the beans revealing that the spaceman is setting up communications with his planet and that at midnight when the planet is at it's closest, an invasion will be launched. His planet is dying, turning to ice, and if the population does not move, everyone will die as it orbits back out into space. They had managed to make their planet deviate from its natural orbit by scientific degravitation (I mean, just wow!). The rocket looking object found at the beginning was a magnetically powered rangefinder used to determine the composition of the atmosphere sent before the spaceship, aka: a probe. They are kept under his control by being exposed to a ray every few of hours. Lawrence tells him to wait there.
He then goes up to the four villagers and tells them to stop work and walk straight ahead which they all do obediently.
The spaceman has been watching and sends the signal to his planet which appears in the form of lightning. He then goes looking for Lawrence with gun in hand. They struggle and Lawrence is able to turn the valve closed cutting off his breathing supply. Enid comes out of the ship and all head towards the inspector's location.
The spaceman awakens, turns his breathing supply back on and returns to his ship. At 10:59 the army opens fire. Mears regains his senses and returns to the ship saying that they cannot destroy the spaceman. He is killed by an explosion from the army and the ship is destroyed with a direct hit.
Planet X comes into full view and we learn that its altered perihelion or aphelion just happens to be at the Earth. It then shoots back out into space with no invasion.
Final words:
Enid: "Is it true that noone will ever know what happened here?"
Lawrence: "Knowledge would only bring more fear in a world already filled with it."
Enid: "Can such a thing be kept a secret?"
Lawrence: "No. No, but it can be reduced to gossip."
Enid: "You know, I think that creature was friendly. I wonder what would have happened if Dr. Mears hadn't frightened him."
Lawrence: "Who knows. Perhaps the greatest curse to befall the world; perhaps the greatest blessing."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A few thoughts:
Yeah, there are some serious flaws in the story and a few cringe-worthy moments. This is early sci-fi entertainment and they only spent US $51,000 (= $617,484) to make the movie whereas, say, War of the Worlds (1953) cost US $2 million (= $23,580,224). However, the box office sales grossed US $1.2 million ($14,529,046 today). With an average ticket price of $0.47 in 1951, that's over 2.55 million views.
Throughout the entire movie, the words 'alien', 'extraterrestrial' or 'ufo' are never used.
What the heck kind of body does Planet X actually orbit? Ridi Culous?
It could just be a coincidence but, out of all of the Scottish names the writers could have chosen, they chose Burray. The C's gave a warning about berry bushes in relation to abductions.
There was one line that really stuck out for me. Did you notice the use of the word 'zombie'? When people think of zombies, they probably think of George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead series or the Walking Dead series or something along those lines. These depictions are the definitive expression of what it means to be a 'zombie'. It's not always explained as to why the 'dead are rising' but nowadays the vast majority of zombie movies use a virus as being the cause. However, the earliest movies, White Zombie (1932) and I Walked With a Zombie (1943), point to Haiti and vodou as the cause, as do stories in books that precede the films. The Zombie wiki mentions the first recorded use of the term 'zombi' was in 1819 by the poet Robert Southey, referring to the Afro-Brazillian leader Zumbi (Nzambi) but the etymology of the word can be apparently traced to Africa and may not have anything to do with an insatiable hunger for brains. Reading about Haitian vodou and 'soul dualism' I can't help but think of the 'soul dualism' of the Wendigo as well as descriptions in Darkness Over Tibet. (Now, imagine my surprise when Joe & Niall started talking about Haitian immigrants and vodou in the latest NewsReal episode. The coincidence that, because of this movie, I had been looking into the same thing just two weeks before was weird!)
For comparison, here are some other zombie movies with an alien connection: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), Lifeforce (1985), Night of the Creeps (1986), They Live (1988), Slither (2006); and some zombie movies that have a meteor connection: Night of the Comet (1984), Undead (2003).
Now, Planet X is not a 'zombie' movie and is not like any of the other movies listed. Even though the result of the ray beamed at the person is actually closer to mind-control, it still could be the first sci-fi movie to use the term 'zombie' and equate it with aliens, even if it was said in an offhand way.
The first one I watched was The Man From Planet X, a very early ufo invasion movie released in 1951. The poster shows two spacemen but in the movie there is only one.
Here is a colourized version (1:10:28)
The Man from Planet X 1951 colorized (Robert Clarke) : Mid Century Film Productions : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
A scientist (Raymond Bond), his daughter (Margaret Field), and an American reporter (Robert Clarke) discover that a spaceship from a previously unknown rogue...
archive.org
Synopsis:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Before the advent of 'martians from Mars' which took over the sci-fi genre, this movie starts with the discovery of a nameless planet (dubbed "Planet X") hurtling towards Earth having come from outside the solar system. As it nears, "strange astronomical phenomena" in the form of "inexplicable objects being sighted in the skies" are being reported from all over the globe. The phenomena were originally just random sightings until a tremendous concentration was recently detected around a particular area in northern Scotland, which incidentally was going to be the area where Planet X would pass Earth the closest. "Strange waves resembling, but still not, radar waves" are recorded bouncing off the Earth originating from "some unknown sphere" out in space, one presumes they're from Planet X, but this is never clarified. The planet is also going to be the closest object of any notability ever to pass the Earth with atmospheric disturbances, hurricanes and tidal waves to be expected.
Now, there are no subtitles in either my DVD copy or the online version so I can't be entirely sure, but the name of the "particularly barren and isolated area" in northern Scotland is called, what sounds like, Burray (one of the Orkney Islands) where (only) two scientists are stationed to observe the planet's passing.
The hero of the story, a American newspaper reporter named John Lawrence, travels to Burray and then to a tower called The Broch (fyi, the island was originally called Broch Island by the Vikings) where the two scientists, Professor Elliot and Dr. Mears, are headquartered to observe the planet which, at this point, is not yet visible to the naked eye.
That evening, Lawrence, who was picked up earlier in the nearby village by Enid, Professor Elliot's daughter, go for a walk on the foggy moors witnessing several flashes of what they consider to be lightning but without any thunder. They discover a rocket shaped object impacted into the ground and take it back to the tower where, after inspection, it is theorized that it came from outer space. A sample of the metal is taken and is found to be stronger than steel and only 1/5th its specific gravity. Dr. Mears shows his character, remarking that if the formula could be reproduced it would be worth millions and could bestow control of the industry of the world.
Being quite late, Enid drives Lawrence to his hotel in the village. On her way back she gets a flat tire and is forced to walk the rest of the way to the tower. Making her way through the fog, she sees a pulsing light in the distance and decides to investigate. She comes across a ship that has either crashed or landed awkwardly with the light coming from inside. Upon looking through a window, she is greeted with the face of the occupant, frightening her, and running away.
Back at the tower, she tells her tale to her father mentioning the light was a ghastly greenish colour (originally a b&w movie, the colourized version does not show green). Nevertheless, her descriptions fall on skeptical ears but her father decides to check her story and heads out with Enid guiding him. Mears, hiding in the shadows the whole time listening, follows undetected.
Having found the ship but not the occupant, a high-pitched sound is heard as a beam of light is emitted from the ship which eventually lands on the professors face. After a short duration, it turns off leaving the professor in a state of vacancy. Having observed all from a distance, Mears watches as the two leave quickly.
As Enid and her father walk across the foggy moors, the professor is acting strangely, appearing to be in a state of high suggestibility, doing everything his daughter says to the letter and nothing more, then waiting for the next command. Back at the ship, some type of antenna is deployed and a door opens.
Back at the tower, the professor has come back to his senses describing his complete paralysis of mind, with the exception of total slavish obedience, to his daughter and Mears. A short discussion ensues with Mears concluding the action was a hostile one and Enid asking if the ship has any connection to the incoming planet.
The next day, Lawrence takes a bike to the Brock and finds Enid's car on the road. Having been updated on the night's events once at the tower, Lawrence questions the theory of these "singular occurrences" being connected to Planet X. Unable to come up with another explanation, the idea of what it could all be leading up to is asked. The scenario is proposed that in 60 hrs. the planet's orbit will be at it's closest to Earth at Burray as will its inhabitants, alluding to a full transfer of its population from one planet to another? The question of if the police should get involved is squashed by reason of all the weeks of scientific study of the new planet would be completely disrupted by the influx of curious sightseers of the ship. It's also for the public's protection since the moors are covered with marshes that swallow everything that wander into them. Lawrence has not yet seen the ship so he and the professor head out.
At the ship, the two look through the window. The professor wears his wife's diamond ring which does not scratch the 'glass' when dragged across. After some discussion the two prepare to return to the tower when the spaceman confronts them holding what appears to be a gun of some sort. As they try to figure out what to do next, the spaceman's suit malfunctions and he starts to go down. Lawrence finds the problem (stuck valve?) and resuscitates the spaceman. The gesture is viewed as a friendly one and the demeanour of the spaceman changes to one of friendliness. Communication is useless so the two men head back to the tower. Once there, they realize that they were followed.
After giving a sedative to Enid, suggesting hysterics, the three men try to come up with a way to communicate since the spaceman's language consists only of long tones. Mears comes up with the idea of a common denominator being the universal language of geometry. Mears concocts the excuse that he needs full concentration without distractions to create the formulas. With some hesitation, the other two leave Mears and the spaceman alone. Once they're gone, he begins communication attempts by drawing a triangle, but has another plot up his sleeve.
The professor takes ill, and Lawrence heads to Enid's car to fix the flat. A policeman comes by and they chat for a bit. With the flat tire fixed, he takes the car into the village to get the professor some medicine.
In the meantime, Mears has moved on to showing the spaceman 'fire' the response to which is met with tones. Having secured a connection, Mears turns full maniac and attacks the spaceman in the hopes of tearing out every secret the spaceman has. By closing off the valve to the creature's breathing supply, his plan of torture to extract information is put into play. But he is interrupted by Enid who relays the message that her father would like to see him. Hedging his bet that the spaceman is thoroughly unconscious he answers the call with a regret to the professor that he was unable to establish communication the spaceman. While they converse, Enid goes to check on the spaceman herself.
Lawrence returns to find Mears with the professor. Not finding Enid in the kitchen, he goes to the room where the spaceman is being kept only to find the room empty. Lawrence and Mears, who has a gun, head out to the ship but do not see anything from a distance. Lawrence heads back to the tower to check on the professor leaving Mears on stakeout. Looking through the professors telescope, the planet is quite close.
The policeman from the road enters the room with another man named Gordy. The two are looking for two villagers who bring the sheep in from the moors every night as they have now gone missing. Lawrence informs the policeman that Enid has also gone missing but has a good idea where she is. Gordy is told to stay behind to look after the professor while the others head back out to find nothing but Mears binoculars. The ship appears to be gone and four people are missing. The two men head to the police station to find many concerned citizens awaiting answers about the missing villagers. The policeman assigns two villagers to wake the rest of the village up, bring weapons, and then to scour the moors. Gordy suddenly bursts into the room with a tale of seeing Mears taking the professor into the fog as well as seeing the spaceman. The policeman then admits to knowing the professor's reason for being at the Brock and of the planet hurtling towards Earth. The admittance of the spaceman being real and an alluded invasion sends all the villagers into a panic who hide in their homes.
The policeman tries to call London to bring in immediate help but the line is dead. Only during climate disturbances and the like have they had this problem before but they rule out all the possible causes which leads to only one reason which they don't speak of. The policeman gives Lawrence a gun who heads back to the tower by bike. While on the road, the two missing villagers try to abduct Lawrence but he gets away.
Having returned to the police station, Lawrence tells of the two men who tried to capture him. He says they were acting like mindless slaves. The conclusion is that the spaceman is trying to build an army. The whole village is in jeopardy but with the phone still not working, the only way to get a message out is by heliograph. Looking out the window (with the curtains closed!) they spot a passing boat which is within distance to receive the message.
Lone villagers start being taken off the streets and back to the ship. Lawrence sneaks over to see the beginnings of fortifications being built around the ship. He returns to the station and informs the policeman. He then learns that two more villagers have been taken to which Lawrence replies, "If the men left don't buckle down the job, this is going to be a village of zombies." Two inspectors from Scotland Yard arrive having received the message relayed from the passing boat and are updated on the situation.
Later, a discussion is held at the tower as to what to do. The inspector gives Lawrence 1-1/2 hrs. to rescue the humans before the army opens fire and destroys the site. Instead of activating his plan, Lawrence goes to a room and writes the story up to that point for the newspapers as a sort of 'last will' which he gives to the inspector to send to the "right hands" if anything should go wrong.
Lawrence's plan is simple. Behind the embankment built around the ship sits the suggestible professor. Talking with him, Lawrence learns that Enid is inside the ship then tells him to climb over the embankment and walk straight forward, which he does without question. The professor obviously was not programmed very well if he was acting as a guard.
He then calls Mears over and tells him to kneel down. Mears tells him that he was able to communicate with the creature. He spills the beans revealing that the spaceman is setting up communications with his planet and that at midnight when the planet is at it's closest, an invasion will be launched. His planet is dying, turning to ice, and if the population does not move, everyone will die as it orbits back out into space. They had managed to make their planet deviate from its natural orbit by scientific degravitation (I mean, just wow!). The rocket looking object found at the beginning was a magnetically powered rangefinder used to determine the composition of the atmosphere sent before the spaceship, aka: a probe. They are kept under his control by being exposed to a ray every few of hours. Lawrence tells him to wait there.
He then goes up to the four villagers and tells them to stop work and walk straight ahead which they all do obediently.
The spaceman has been watching and sends the signal to his planet which appears in the form of lightning. He then goes looking for Lawrence with gun in hand. They struggle and Lawrence is able to turn the valve closed cutting off his breathing supply. Enid comes out of the ship and all head towards the inspector's location.
The spaceman awakens, turns his breathing supply back on and returns to his ship. At 10:59 the army opens fire. Mears regains his senses and returns to the ship saying that they cannot destroy the spaceman. He is killed by an explosion from the army and the ship is destroyed with a direct hit.
Planet X comes into full view and we learn that its altered perihelion or aphelion just happens to be at the Earth. It then shoots back out into space with no invasion.
Final words:
Enid: "Is it true that noone will ever know what happened here?"
Lawrence: "Knowledge would only bring more fear in a world already filled with it."
Enid: "Can such a thing be kept a secret?"
Lawrence: "No. No, but it can be reduced to gossip."
Enid: "You know, I think that creature was friendly. I wonder what would have happened if Dr. Mears hadn't frightened him."
Lawrence: "Who knows. Perhaps the greatest curse to befall the world; perhaps the greatest blessing."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A few thoughts:
Yeah, there are some serious flaws in the story and a few cringe-worthy moments. This is early sci-fi entertainment and they only spent US $51,000 (= $617,484) to make the movie whereas, say, War of the Worlds (1953) cost US $2 million (= $23,580,224). However, the box office sales grossed US $1.2 million ($14,529,046 today). With an average ticket price of $0.47 in 1951, that's over 2.55 million views.
Throughout the entire movie, the words 'alien', 'extraterrestrial' or 'ufo' are never used.
What the heck kind of body does Planet X actually orbit? Ridi Culous?
It could just be a coincidence but, out of all of the Scottish names the writers could have chosen, they chose Burray. The C's gave a warning about berry bushes in relation to abductions.
There was one line that really stuck out for me. Did you notice the use of the word 'zombie'? When people think of zombies, they probably think of George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead series or the Walking Dead series or something along those lines. These depictions are the definitive expression of what it means to be a 'zombie'. It's not always explained as to why the 'dead are rising' but nowadays the vast majority of zombie movies use a virus as being the cause. However, the earliest movies, White Zombie (1932) and I Walked With a Zombie (1943), point to Haiti and vodou as the cause, as do stories in books that precede the films. The Zombie wiki mentions the first recorded use of the term 'zombi' was in 1819 by the poet Robert Southey, referring to the Afro-Brazillian leader Zumbi (Nzambi) but the etymology of the word can be apparently traced to Africa and may not have anything to do with an insatiable hunger for brains. Reading about Haitian vodou and 'soul dualism' I can't help but think of the 'soul dualism' of the Wendigo as well as descriptions in Darkness Over Tibet. (Now, imagine my surprise when Joe & Niall started talking about Haitian immigrants and vodou in the latest NewsReal episode. The coincidence that, because of this movie, I had been looking into the same thing just two weeks before was weird!)
For comparison, here are some other zombie movies with an alien connection: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), Lifeforce (1985), Night of the Creeps (1986), They Live (1988), Slither (2006); and some zombie movies that have a meteor connection: Night of the Comet (1984), Undead (2003).
Now, Planet X is not a 'zombie' movie and is not like any of the other movies listed. Even though the result of the ray beamed at the person is actually closer to mind-control, it still could be the first sci-fi movie to use the term 'zombie' and equate it with aliens, even if it was said in an offhand way.