Forty-Three Years Ago, Steven Spielberg Doubted the Success of a Character That Nevertheless Became One of the Most Iconic in Cinema Borrowed stars and clunky storylines The plot revolves around the tyrant Graal, who seeks to overthrow his brother on the planet Metropolis. Assisted by Dr. Kraspin, a quintessential mad scientist, Graal develops a potion capable of turning people into super soldiers. Enter Golob, an innocent soul reshaped into an indestructible warrior as part of their scheme. If that setup seems familiar, it is because the film echoes Star Wars, including an opening text crawl. The execution lacked the magic of George Lucas’ work. Costumes and spacecraft leaned toward excess, the pacing faltered, and promising characters never fully captivated audiences. Even a bid for grandeur, crediting Aldo Lado under the pseudonym George B. Lewis, came across as mimicry rather than homage. Familiar faces, unfamiliar success The Humanoid did parade faces recognizable to keen film buffs. Richard Kiel, famous as Jaws in the James Bond saga, played Golob with imposing physicality. Ivan Rassimov, Corinne Cléry, Barbara Bach, and Venantino Venantini rounded out the ensemble, yet the film could not rise above its derivative script and design. Notably, the score was composed by Ennio Morricone, whose breathtaking music shaped many classics. Even his touch could not lift The Humanoid to memorable heights. The production, led by Aldo Lado as director and co-writer, struggled to balance imitation and originality. A cinematic afterthought Public reaction was tepid. Critics panned it, audiences stayed away, and its place in cinema history slipped into footnotes. Websites like nanarland.com have since archived it as an example of blatant plagiarism, offering biting commentary on its lack of creativity. Still, for devoted genre fans, the film has gained a peculiar cult status, remembered for its campy visuals and earnest ambitions. Source: https://3dvf.com/en/this-science-fiction-film-released-forty-five-years-ago-wanted-to-dethrone-star-wars-but-it-fell-into-oblivion/