Directed by
Anton Leader
Made by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Discover the intricate plot of Children of the Damned (1964). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In a revolutionary exploration, a team of UNESCO researchers uncovers six extraordinary children hailing from diverse parts of the globe - specifically China, India, Nigeria, the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These remarkable youths possess cognitive abilities that seem to defy rational explanation. They demonstrate an uncanny ability to solve a complex puzzle made of bricks with striking uniformity.
Leading the investigation is British psychologist Tom Lewellyn alongside geneticist David Neville. Their attention is particularly drawn to Paul, a boy from London whose mysterious mother, Diana, nurtures a profound resentment towards him. Initially dismissed as mere hysteria, Diana’s claim of never having been touched by a man emerges as something far more serious.
As the researchers probe into the children’s extraordinary talents, they uncover an astonishing connection that binds them together: each child has grown up without a father figure. Furthermore, these gifted individuals exhibit a rare form of telepathy, enabling them to communicate with one another on a subconscious level.
The United Nations team gathers these six prodigies in London to undertake a thorough examination of their remarkable capabilities. However, as the children acclimatize to their new environment, they decide to break free from their assigned embassies, ultimately congregating in a dilapidated church in Southwark, London. In this forgotten sanctuary, they intermittently tap into Paul’s aunt’s mental energy to sustain themselves.
Simultaneously, a fierce debate unfolds within the British Army and Intelligence Services regarding the potential risks that these extraordinary children may pose to national security. It becomes increasingly evident that the children possess telekinetic abilities, enabling them to create an intricate device capable of harnessing sonic waves as a means of self-defense—a weapon that ultimately results in casualties among government officials and soldiers. Yet, it is clear that the children only wield their powers in response to threats against them.
As the tension escalates, Tom Lewellyn passionately implores the group to return to their embassies, a plea they reluctantly heed. However, this moment of peace is fleeting; the children retaliate against the embassy and military personnel before retreating once again to their sanctuary.
In a poignant discovery, Lewellyn’s team notes a stark difference between the blood cells of an ordinary person and those of one of the extraordinary children, leading to shocking speculations about their true nature. This revelation hints that these prodigious youngsters may not be of this world, presenting a grave challenge to humanity’s fundamental existence and igniting a complex moral quandary with implications that could last for generations.
As authorities endeavor to regain control over the extraordinary children, they are compelled to take desperate measures to preserve their own survival. This fraught standoff escalates toward a climactic showdown between the military and the enigmatic children. Amidst the chaos, one scientist advances a groundbreaking theory: the children’s alien nature may have been misinterpreted, and their blood might instead signify human DNA that has inexplicably evolved over a million years. The children themselves arrive at a profound realization—that their existence is wholly incompatible with humanity’s comparative primitiveness. Consequently, they prepare to lower their defenses and submit to fate.
However, the military commander experiences an epiphany and opts to withdraw the impending assault. Yet, fate takes a grim turn when an ordinary screwdriver—a basic tool of humanity—accidentally triggers a catastrophic chain of events, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the church and the tragic end of these extraordinary children.
Track the key events of Children of the Damned (1964) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
UNESCO Team's Discovery
A team of UNESCO researchers uncovers six extraordinary children from different countries, including China, India, Nigeria, the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These children exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities that challenge conventional understanding, setting the stage for an unprecedented investigation.
Introduction to Paul and Diana
The investigation is led by British psychologist Tom Lewellyn and geneticist David Neville, focusing on Paul, a boy from London. Paul's mother, Diana, harbors deep resentment towards him, and her claims of never having been touched by a man hint at a more complex background that requires further exploration.
Uncovering the Connection
As research progresses, it is discovered that all six gifted children share a common thread—they have each grown up without a father figure. This extraordinary finding leads to further inquiries into their psychic abilities, especially their telepathic communications with one another.
UN Team Gathers the Prodigies
The United Nations team gathers the six prodigies in London to examine their unique capabilities in a controlled environment. However, the children quickly adapt to their new environment and decide to escape their assigned embassies in search of freedom.
Sanctuary in Southwark
The children find refuge in a dilapidated church in Southwark, London, where they tap into Paul's aunt's mental energy to sustain themselves. This hidden sanctuary becomes a haven for the children as they grapple with their extraordinary powers and the outside world.
Military Concerns
A fierce debate arises within the British Army and Intelligence Services over the potential risks posed by the extraordinary children. Their telekinetic abilities become apparent as they develop a device to harness sonic waves for self-defense, leading to tensions and casualties among government personnel.
Tom's Plea for Safety
Tom Lewellyn urges the gifted children to return to their embassies for their own safety, emphasizing the importance of compliance in a time of rising tension. The children reluctantly agree but struggle with the implications of their abilities and their connection to humanity.
Counterattack on Authority
Moments of relative calm turn chaotic as the children retaliate against the embassy and military personnel, showcasing the defensive nature of their powers. Their retreat to the church serves as both a physical and psychological stronghold as the two sides grapple with their differences.
Scientific Revelations
The research team discovers notable differences in the blood cells between ordinary humans and the extraordinary children, raising alarming speculations about the children's origins. This finding hints at their potential alien nature and poses profound questions regarding humanity's future.
Standoff Escalates
As authorities maneuver to regain control over the gifted children, the situation escalates into a life-threatening standoff. Tensions peak when one scientist proposes a groundbreaking theory suggesting that the children's blood may signify evolution rather than alien origins.
Children's Realization
Amidst the escalating chaos, the children come to a startling realization about their existence and its incompatibility with humanity's primitiveness. This moment prompts them to consider lowering their defenses, signaling a poignant shift in the emotional landscape of the narrative.
Commander’s Decision
The military commander experiences an epiphany and chooses to withdraw the impending assault, recognizing the gravity of the situation. However, this decision creates an unintended consequence as tension remains palpably high among both parties.
Catastrophe Unleashed
As fate would have it, an ordinary screwdriver inadvertently triggers a catastrophic event that leads to the church's destruction. This tragic turn of events results in the demise of the extraordinary children, marking a sorrowful and impactful conclusion to their story.
Meet the characters that bring Children of the Damned (1964) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Tom Lewellyn (Ian Hendry)
Tom Lewellyn is a British psychologist leading the investigation into the extraordinary children. Driven by a blend of curiosity and compassion, he seeks to understand their unique abilities and protect them from potential harm. His moral compass often places him at odds with military interests, illustrating his dedication to the children's well-being.
Paul
Paul is a boy from London at the center of the children's extraordinary talents. His connection to the other kids and his nurturing mother, Diana, unveils the deeper emotional stakes of the narrative. Paul embodies the hope and vulnerability of the group, becoming a focal point for both their powers and their struggles.
Diana
Diana, Paul's mother, harbors deep resentment, complicating their relationship. Her mysterious past and strange claims add layers of intrigue, leading to the investigation into the children's backgrounds. As a figure of emotional turmoil, she contributes significantly to the film's exploration of family dynamics and individual struggles.
Uncover the settings of Children of the Damned (1964), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, where advanced scientific research is combined with the pressing moral dilemmas of human evolution and military tensions. This period reflects an era of scientific discovery and ethical exploration, setting the stage for complex interactions between humanity and extraordinary intelligence.
Location
London, Southwark
London serves as the central hub for the researchers investigating the extraordinary children. In Southwark, a dilapidated church becomes a refuge for the gifted youths, representing both sanctuary and vulnerability. This urban setting is known for its rich history and cultural significance, contrasting the chaotic events surrounding the children.
Explore the core themes of Children of the Damned (1964). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Intelligence
The film explores themes of extraordinary intelligence and its implications on human society. The children's cognitive and telekinetic abilities challenge traditional notions of humanity, leading to moral dilemmas regarding their existence and potential threat. As the characters grapple with understanding these prodigious minds, questions regarding the nature of intelligence and its consequences arise.
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Science & Ethics
A central theme in 'Children of the Damned' is the intersection of science and ethics. The researchers are faced with profound questions about the nature of the children and humanity's place in evolution. This ethical quandary drives the narrative, as the scientists strive to understand their subjects while grappling with the consequences of their findings.
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Conflict
The film captures the escalating conflict between the military and the extraordinary children, who only act in self-defense. This theme illustrates the struggle for control and power, highlighting how fear of the unknown can provoke violence. The conflict serves as a catalyst for the story, raising questions about safety, survival, and the instinct to protect one's own.
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