Aliens in the Wild, Wild West
Siblings time-travel to save fuzzy aliens in the Old West.
Aliens in the Wild, Wild West, a 1999 science fiction film directed by George Erschbamer and written by Alon Kaplan, follows two siblings from the present day who end up in a 19th-century Western settlement via time travel. The younger brother, Tom Johnson (Taylor Locke), constantly irritates his older sister, Sara (Carly Pope), and their frequent arguments lead to their arrival in the past. While exploring, Tom discovers a spaceship in the woods, learning that the cute, fuzzy aliens aboard—described as a mix between E.T. and a hairy Yoda, with the youngest sounding like Elmo—can only breathe sulfur, as oxygen is toxic to them. When the townspeople find the aliens, they attempt to sell them to a representative of P.T. Barnum. Tom and Sara, despite Sara’s earlier introduction as a joyrider in a stolen car with her punk-rock convict boyfriend, decide this is wrong and work to return the alien to its ship. After their successful moral mission, the pair are sent back to the modern-day ghost town they started from, and their strained relationship improves as they drive home to the suburbs.
- Director
- George Erschbamer
- Writer
- Alon Kaplan
- Year
- 1999
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Cast
- Taylor Locke, Carly Pope, Barna Moricz, Markus Parilo, Gerry Quigley, Gloria Slade, George Ilie, Ovidiu Bucurenciu, Marcel Cobzariu, Marius Florea Vizante, Marioara Sterian, Mircea Constantinescu, San
Lore & Background
The plot follows Tom Johnson (Taylor Locke) and his older sister Sara (Carly Pope), who are transported from the modern day to a mid-19th century western town after their constant fighting. While there, Tom discovers an alien spaceship in the forest and learns that oxygen is poisonous to the cute, fuzzy aliens, which breathe sulfur. The aliens resemble a cross between E.T. and a hairy Yoda, with the youngest alien's voice highly resembling Elmo.
When townsmen find the aliens, they attempt to sell them to a representative of P.T. Barnum. Tom and Sara, despite Sara's earlier portrayal as a joy rider in a stolen car with her punk rocker convict boyfriend, decide the sale is immoral and work to return the alien to its ship. After succeeding, they are transported back to the modern-day ghost town, and their sour relationship heals as they drive home.
Reader's Guide
Aliens in the Wild, Wild West is a 1999 science fiction film that blends time travel, Western, and alien genres. Directed by George Erschbamer and written by Alon Kaplan, the film features a cast including Taylor Locke and Carly Pope as the bickering siblings Tom and Sara Johnson. The narrative explores themes of moral growth, as Sara shifts from a rebellious teenager to someone who protects the aliens from exploitation by townsmen and a P.T. Barnum representative. The film's depiction of aliens—cute, fuzzy, sulfur-breathing creatures with voices resembling Elmo—adds a whimsical element. The story resolves with the siblings' relationship healing after their shared adventure. The film is notable for its low-budget, independent production and its unusual combination of genres, though it remains a niche entry in late-1990s science fiction cinema.
Did You Know?
- The aliens breathe sulfur and find oxygen poisonous.
- The film's cast includes Taylor Locke as Tom Johnson and Carly Pope as Sara Johnson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Aliens in the Wild, Wild West?
George Erschbamer helmed the 1999 Canadian sci-fi film, with Alon Kaplan penning the screenplay.
What is the plot of Aliens in the Wild, Wild West?
Bickering siblings Tom and Sara accidentally time-travel to a 19th-century frontier town after a heated argument. Tom then stumbles upon a spaceship hidden in the woods, carrying small fuzzy aliens that the siblings must help survive in the Old West.
Who plays the two siblings in Aliens in the Wild, Wild West?
Taylor Locke portrays Tom Johnson, the younger brother, while Carly Pope plays his older sister Sara. The two serve as the film's central protagonists throughout the story.
What do the aliens look like in Aliens in the Wild, Wild West?
The creatures are small, furry, and endearing, often compared to a cross between E.T. and a shaggy Yoda. The youngest among them has a voice that fans liken to Elmo's.
Why is Aliens in the Wild, Wild West notable among Canadian sci-fi?
It blends time-travel, Western, and alien-contact genres into a single family-friendly narrative set in the Old West. The supporting cast includes Barna Moricz, Markus Parilo, and Gerry Quigley alongside the two leads.
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