Vague memory - any ideas?
Looking for an older movie (likely 1960s–1970s, possibly European) — one scene I remember: a very large, black, mechanical/synthetic spherical or spider-like device (about car-sized) is shown on an upper ledge/path in an underground/desert cave (sand-coloured rock). The camera looks up at it from below and the machine is partly obscured by dirt/rocks on the ledge. It looked mechanically moved (not organic) and may have had a marking or number on it. The film felt like low-budget sci-fi or a Euro spy/thriller rather than a 1950s creature movie.
I asked AI for help:
This description closely resembles the aesthetic and tone of The Andromeda Nebula (1967) or possibly The Silent Star (1960), both Eastern European sci-fi films with surreal cave-like settings and mechanical props. However, no exact match has surfaced yet.
Here's a breakdown of promising leads and similar films that might help jog memories:
🕵��♂️ Potential Matches & Visual Echoes
1. The Andromeda Nebula (1967, USSR)
Why it fits: Soviet sci-fi with eerie underground sets, mechanical props, and surreal visuals. The tone is cerebral and low-budget.
Visuals: Includes scenes with synthetic-looking machines in cavernous environments.
Cave scenes: Yes, with sand-colored rock and strange devices.
2. The Silent Star (1960, East Germany/Poland)
Why it fits: Features a mysterious alien planet with underground tunnels and mechanical constructs.
Visuals: Stylized Eastern Bloc design, often mistaken for surreal spy thrillers.
Device: Includes spherical and spider-like alien tech.
3. Mission Stardust (1967, Italy/West Germany)
Why it fits: Euro sci-fi with spy thriller vibes, featuring underground lairs and mechanical props.
Visuals: Campy but includes large machines and desert-like terrain.
4. Web of the Spider (1971, Italy)
Why it fits: While more gothic horror than sci-fi, it features eerie castle interiors and mechanical props. The title may mislead, but the tone could match a vague memory.
🧠 Other Possibilities to Explore
Castle of the Creeping Flesh (1968) or The Deadly Spawn (1983): While later and more horror-oriented, they feature underground lairs and mechanical creatures.
Earth vs. the Spider (1958): Has a giant spider in a cave, but it's organic and more creature-feature than spy/sci-fi.
🧩 Tips to Narrow It Down
Was the machine moving or stationary? That could help distinguish between prop vs. creature.
Was there dialogue in the cave scene? Language or accents might hint at country of origin.
Any memory of costumes or uniforms? Euro thrillers often had trench coats or jumpsuits.
If the person recalls any other detail—like a character name, a plot point, or even the music style—I can dig deeper.
There's no mechanical creature in DEADLY SPAWN. It's a gooey organic alien. Whatever jsgrainger is describing does seem familar, though.
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