After a fiery object crashes into the desert, creating a charred depression, aspiring author Putnam (Richard Carlson) and his girlfriend Ellen (Barbara Rush) join a friend's helicopter to investigate. He believes he witnessed something unusual at the site, but before he can confirm it, a landslide covers the area. Dismissed by the military and others, it seems unlikely anyone will uncover what happened. On their way back to town, they meet telephone technicians George (Russell Johnson) and Frank (Joe Sawyer), who offer them their first indication that something strange is happening. Is whatever they encountered harmless? Threatening? Or simply a product of their minds amidst the desert’s unsettling landscape? Given the limited budget, director Jack Arnold smartly avoided relying on low-quality special effects or excessive use of rubbery materials. It also avoids becoming one of those films where potential extraterrestrials are immediately surrounded by military hardware like tanks and artillery. Putnam's willingness to consider the possibility of alien visitors helps maintain a sense of wonder throughout the seventy-minute running time, prompting several thought-provoking questions. While the film’s production values are simple and Carlson isn’t particularly supported by Rush’s consistently elaborate costumes, it remains an enjoyable experience.

Source on TMDB