The Humanoid: A Cult Sci-Fi Gem That Deserves Your Attention March 8, 2025 10:37

In the vast universe of science fiction cinema, there are films that boldly go where many have gone before – and then there's The Humanoid (1979), an Italian space opera that carves its own peculiar niche in the galaxy of cult classics. This gloriously bizarre entry in our catalog has been quietly awaiting discovery by adventurous viewers, and today we're shining our spotlight on this unique treasure that simply must be experienced to be believed.

A Wild Italian Ride Through the Stars

Released in the wake of Star Wars' unprecedented success, The Humanoid (originally titled "L'Umanoide") represents a fascinating chapter in the international sci-fi boom of the late 1970s. Directed by Aldo Lado (under the pseudonym George B. Lewis), this Italian production embraces the space opera formula with unbridled enthusiasm while infusing it with distinctly European sensibilities.

Set in the distant future of the year 2045, the film introduces us to Golob (Richard Kiel, famous as the metal-toothed "Jaws" from the James Bond films), a pilot who becomes the unwitting subject of a diabolical experiment. When the evil Lord Graal and his accomplice Dr. Kraspin expose him to a mysterious gas called "Kapitron," Golob transforms into an unstoppable, superhuman killing machine – the titular humanoid. Only the powers of the telekinetic Lady Agatha and a mysterious cosmic child named Tom Tom can save the peaceful world of Metropolis from destruction.

Star Wars' Eccentric Italian Cousin

One of the most delightful aspects of The Humanoid is its unabashed borrowing from Star Wars – taken to such extremes that it becomes its own unique creation. The film features:

A benevolent mentor with mystical powers suspiciously similar to Obi-Wan Kenobi (complete with flowing robes)
A villain dressed in black with a mysterious breathing apparatus (Lord Graal) who might remind viewers of a certain Sith Lord
A cute robot companion named Goldie that bears more than a passing resemblance to R2-D2
Laser battles, space ships, and a musical score that... well, let's just say it's "inspired" by John Williams

Yet for all these similarities, The Humanoid spirals into wildly unexpected directions that George Lucas would never have dreamed of. The film throws in everything from telekinetic powers to mad scientists, giant dogs, and sequences that defy conventional logic in the most entertaining ways possible.

A Cast of International Stars

Part of what makes The Humanoid so fascinating is its eclectic international cast:

Richard Kiel: The 7'2" actor best known as "Jaws" from the James Bond films brings his imposing presence to the role of Golob/The Humanoid
Barbara Bach: Fresh from her role as a Bond girl in The Spy Who Loved Me, Bach plays the scheming scientist Barbara Gibson
Corinne Cléry: Another Bond alumna (Moonraker) appears as Lady Agatha
Ivan Rassimov: A staple of Italian genre cinema plays the villainous Lord Graal
Arthur Kennedy: The Hollywood veteran and five-time Oscar nominee lends gravitas as Dr. Kraspin

This international ensemble reflects the film's nature as a co-production designed to appeal to global markets – a common practice in Italian genre cinema of the era.

Visual Spectacle on a Budget

What The Humanoid lacks in budget compared to Hollywood productions, it makes up for in creativity and audacity. The film features:

Elaborate futuristic costumes and set designs that blend 1970s fashion sensibilities with space-age aesthetics
Ambitious special effects sequences that, while dated by today's standards, demonstrate remarkable ingenuity
Creative use of miniatures and practical effects to create its science fiction world
Colorful cinematography that gives the film a distinct visual flavor
Imaginative (if sometimes perplexing) action sequences

The production design team, led by Oscar nominee Aurelio Crugnola, created memorable visual moments despite financial constraints. The result is a film where you're never quite sure what you'll see next – a refreshing quality in an era of predictable blockbusters.

A Musical Odyssey by a Maestro

One of the film's most distinguished assets is its score by the legendary Ennio Morricone. The maestro, known for his groundbreaking work with Sergio Leone and countless cinematic classics, brings his considerable talents to this science fiction adventure. Morricone's approach to The Humanoid blends orchestral grandeur with electronic experimentation, creating a soundscape that enhances the film's cosmic ambitions.

His score alternates between sweeping, emotional themes and more playful, otherworldly passages that complement the on-screen action perfectly. While certain cues might evoke John Williams' iconic Star Wars score (an influence that was nearly inescapable in sci-fi films of the era), Morricone's distinct musical personality shines through in unexpected harmonic choices and innovative instrumentation. The soundtrack stands as one of the film's most sophisticated elements, elevating the material through Morricone's unique musical vision.

Why The Humanoid Deserves Cult Status

What makes The Humanoid special isn't just its status as a Star Wars knockoff – Italian cinema produced plenty of those. Rather, it's the film's commitment to its own internal dream logic, its willingness to embrace the bizarre, and its earnest desire to entertain that elevates it above mere imitation.

The film throws together elements of science fiction, fantasy, mysticism, and action with reckless abandon. One moment you're watching a space battle, the next a telekinetic duel, followed by scenes with a giant dog and a mysterious child with supernatural powers. This kitchen-sink approach to storytelling is both the film's greatest weakness and its most endearing quality.

The Humanoid represents a unique moment in cinema history when the international film market responded to the science fiction boom with productions that interpreted American blockbusters through distinct cultural lenses. The result is a film that feels both familiar and utterly alien – a cinematic experience that could only have emerged from this specific moment in film history.

Essential Viewing for Fans of Cult Cinema

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of unusual cinema, The Humanoid is required viewing. It belongs on the shelf alongside other beloved Italian genre films like Starcrash, Contamination, and War of the Planets – productions that took Hollywood formulas and transformed them into something uniquely European.

The film offers:

Unintentional comedy gold through its earnest approach to outlandish material
Genuine creativity in its production design and visual concepts
A window into the international response to the science fiction boom of the late 1970s
Performances that range from deadly serious to unintentionally hilarious
Set pieces and costume designs that must be seen to be believed

Experience The Humanoid For Yourself

The Humanoid has been in our catalog for some time now, patiently waiting for curious viewers to discover its unique charms. For fans of Italian cinema, science fiction oddities, or Star Wars-inspired curiosities, it represents an essential viewing experience that delivers the kind of unfiltered creativity that has become increasingly rare in modern filmmaking.

This is the first in our new series highlighting standout titles from our existing catalog – films that deserve special attention for their unique qualities and cult appeal. Between our regular updates on new releases, we'll be spotlighting these hidden gems that make our collection special.

So gather your friends, prepare your sense of wonder (and perhaps your sense of humor), and dive into the bizarre universe of The Humanoid – a film that reminds us that sometimes the most memorable cinematic experiences are the ones that defy conventional notions of "good" and "bad" to create something truly unique.

The Humanoid isn't just a movie – it's a portal to an alternate dimension where Italian filmmakers interpreted the space opera through their unique cultural lens, resulting in one of the most entertainingly strange science fiction films of its era.

THE HUMANOID available here