UFOria is a science fiction comedy film directed and written by John Binder and starring Fred Ward, Harry Dean Stanton, Harry Carey, Jr. and Cindy Williams. The film includes small appearances by Peggy McKay, Joe Unger, Hank Worden and Charlotte Stewart. Filming was completed in 1981, but the film was not theatrically released until 1985. Due to poor audience attendance, the film was not a financial success. It was released only on VHS in 1987 by MCA Home Video, now known as Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
UFOria | |
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UFOria film cover | |
Directed by | John Binder |
Produced by | Melvin Simon |
Written by | John Binder |
Starring | Fred Ward Cindy Williams Harry Dean Stanton |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures Paramount CIC |
Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
Language | English |
Screenplay
Sheldon Bart (Fred Ward) is a drifter, and a small-time con man. He meets his old friend, Brother Bud (Harry Dean Stanton), a big-time con man into faith healing and fencing stolen cars, at his revival tent outside a small town. While he's helping Brother Bud, he falls in love with Arlene (Cindy Williams), a local supermarket clerk who believes in UFOs and is deeply religious and deeply lonely. When Arlene has a vision of a coming UFO, everyone deals with it in their own way.
Theatrical
Despite being completed in 1981, the film was not released theatrically until 1985. It was not successful in theaters because it did not have much of an audience.
Home media
MCA Home Video, now known as Universal Studios Home Entertainment, released the film on VHS in 1987. The film was never released on DVD.
The film also aired on cable television in 1986.
The film received mostly positive reviews. Roger Ebert gave the film a 4 star review, calling the film a "great and goofy comedy", concluding with "Like "Repo Man," "Turtle Diary" and "Hannah and Her Sisters," it is willing to go for originality in a world that prizes the entertainment assembly line."
Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that the film has a "raffish tone" and is "exuberantly nutty"; he also praised the casting. Kevin Thomas, writing for the Los Angeles Times concluded his review with, "Williams manages to be adorable and never seems all-out crazy; like Ward, you do believe in her, whether or not you believe in UFOs."