The Mole People Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Pompous archaeologists tumble into a mountain hole only to find albino flashlight-worshipping Sumerians who enslave rubbery mole-men, prompting a bizarre revolt.

🍿 The Mole People: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Archaeological Discovery and Perilous Descent

The film begins with Dr. Roger Bentley leading an archaeological dig in Asia. A significant find, a cuneiform tablet hinting at a lost civilization, is discovered. An earthquake damages the tablet but also reveals an ancient oil lamp with inscriptions suggesting a pre-Biblical flood narrative. This discovery prompts Bentley and his team to mount an expedition to a remote mountain mentioned in the lamp’s inscription. Upon reaching a plateau, they find the ruins of a 5,000-year-old Sumerian temple. Tragedy strikes when a team member falls into a deep fissure, leading the remaining archaeologists to attempt a dangerous descent into the unknown.

Entry into the Underground World

Trapped by a rockfall after descending hundreds of feet, the surviving scientists, Bentley, Dr. Jud Bellamin, and Prof. Etienne Lafarge, find themselves in a vast underground cavern. Searching for a way out, they stumble upon a source of light revealing a hidden city – home to a lost civilization. They encounter the inhabitants, a race of albino humans descended from ancient Sumerians who adapted to life without sunlight. They also discover grotesque humanoid creatures, the ‘Mole People,’ who serve as their enslaved laborers. The scientists are quickly apprehended by the albino guards.

Facing the High Priest and the ‘Divine Fire’

Brought before the High Priest Elinu and the King, the archaeologists are viewed with suspicion and sentenced to death. However, Dr. Bentley’s flashlight proves to be an unexpected tool for survival. Its intense light, painful to the photosensitive albinos, leads the High Priest and King to believe the scientists possess the ‘divine fire of Ishtar,’ mistaking them for messengers of their goddess. This grants them temporary protection and status within the underground society, allowing them to observe the brutal treatment of the Mole People and the society’s harsh customs, including human sacrifice.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Roger Bentley (John Agar): The lead archaeologist who discovers the underground civilization and is mistaken for a divine messenger.
• Adad (Cynthia Patrick): A young woman among the underground Sumerians who, due to her pigmentation, is different from the others and forms a connection with Dr. Bentley.
• Dr. Jud Bellamin (Hugh Beaumont): Another archaeologist on the expedition who survives and explores the subterranean world with Dr. Bentley.
• Elinu, the High Priest (Alan Napier): The manipulative and hostile high priest of the underground Sumerians who plots against the archaeologists.
• Prof. Etienne Lafarge (Nestor Paiva): An older, more cautious archaeologist on the team who struggles with the dangers of the underground.
• The Mole People (Various (Uncredited)): A race of enslaved, mutated humanoids living underground who are oppressed by the Sumerians and eventually revolt.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Roger Bentley: “The thing that impresses me the most is the complete and utter silence. You can almost hear it.” – Dr. Bentley reflects on the eerie quiet deep underground shortly after they become trapped.
• High Priest Elinu: “You possess the divine fire of Ishtar!” – The High Priest proclaims the explorers are divine messengers after their flashlight proves painful to the light-sensitive albino people.
• Dr. Roger Bentley: “They exist on a diet of fungus. I wonder if they’ve ever smoked dried mushrooms?” – Dr. Bentley, in a moment of scientific curiosity (and perhaps dark humor), muses on the diet of the underground people.
• Dr. Roger Bentley: “A light slightly brighter than what you’re used to. NO!” – Dr. Bentley mockingly uses the flashlight as a weapon against the guards who are sensitive to light.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 The Mole People Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Mole People’ is definitely a product of its time, maybe even a bit silly by 50s standards, but I can’t help but love it. I first saw it years ago, and the idea of falling into this hidden world stuck with me. The underground city with the albino Sumerians and their weird light sensitivity is such a bizarre concept, and the flashlight as a weapon is just peak B-movie creativity. And the Mole People themselves? Yeah, the suits are cheap, but there’s something inherently creepy and also kind of sad about them. You actually feel for these guys being whipped around! It’s the kind of movie where you just have to roll with the punches – the historical inaccuracies, the questionable acting, the sudden plot turns, and that famously abrupt ending. But for me, the atmosphere of being trapped deep underground and the sheer earnestness of the film make it a really fun watch. It’s not trying to be high art, it’s just trying to entertain with a wild premise, and on that front, I think it succeeds, especially if you appreciate classic sci-fi cheese.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic 1950s science fiction and monster movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy B-movies and their inherent charm or flaws”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts, especially those familiar with MST3K features”
  • “People interested in pulp adventure stories and lost world concepts”
  • “Aficionados of early special effects and creature design”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depictions of slavery and physical abuse (whipping)”
  • “Human sacrifice (implied)”
  • “Claustrophobic environments (underground caves and tunnels)”
  • “Outdated scientific and historical concepts”
  • “Mild creature violence ( Mole People attacks)”

Professional Reviews

• Creature Features Monthly: “While ‘The Mole People’ boasts intriguing concepts like a lost underground civilization and its albino rulers versus enslaved mutants, the execution falls flat. Pacing is often sluggish, the acting is frequently stiff (even from genre regulars), and the narrative logic strains belief. The creature design is memorable for its era, but they are underutilized as villains. It’s a film with big ideas hampered by a small budget and conventional 50s B-movie direction.
• Classic Horror Review: “Universal-International delivers another slice of 50s sci-fi cheese with ‘The Mole People’. It has an undeniable atmospheric quality, particularly in its cavern sets, and the notion of light-sensitive albinos is a neat hook. However, the plot meanders, characters lack depth, and the legendary ‘Mole People’ themselves are surprisingly sympathetic rather than terrifying. A product of its time, best appreciated by dedicated fans of the genre and its many quirks, including a notably abrupt ending.
• Drive-In Critic: “Alright gorehounds, load up on the butter because ‘The Mole People’ is pure drive-in gold! Sure, the science is bananas, the plot is paper-thin, and watching Ward Cleaver hang out with Alfred the Butler underground is weirdly hilarious. But those rubbery Mole People suits? Priceless! It’s got just enough camp, some surprisingly decent matte paintings, and Agar doing his earnest best. Don’t take it seriously, just soak in the glorious B-movie vibes.

Audience Reactions

Viewers love the campiness and unintentional humor.: The Mole People costumes are memorable, and the film is a fun watch for fans of classic B-movies, especially with friends or commentary like MST3K.

Many were surprisingly scared or fascinated by it as children.: The film’s atmosphere, the idea of an underground world, and the creatures left a lasting impression on young viewers.

Appreciation for some interesting, albeit poorly executed, thematic ideas.: The themes of slavery, intolerance, and outdated societies add a layer of unexpected depth for some viewers.

Overall Consensus: A widely debated 1950s sci-fi B-movie, often seen as flawed and campy but enjoyed by fans for its unique premise, memorable creatures, and historical genre context.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Footage of the expedition climbing the glacier was recycled from the 1929 German silent film ‘The White Hell of Pitz Palu’.”
• “The abrupt death of the character Adad at the end was reportedly added later because Universal studio executives were uncomfortable with the implied ‘interracial’ relationship between her character (who had normal skin pigment) and the white male lead, despite the actress also being white.”
• “The Mole People costumes featured rubber masks and actors in modified sweatshirts and pants, with humps stuffed with newspaper.”
• “The film features Hugh Beaumont (famous as Ward Cleaver from ‘Leave It to Beaver’) and Alan Napier (famous as Alfred the butler from the 1960s ‘Batman’ TV series) in supporting roles.”
• “The film includes a lengthy, unusual pre-credits introduction by English professor Dr. Frank C. Baxter discussing theories about the Earth’s interior to lend scientific credibility.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mole People?

While ‘The Mole People’ (1956) may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services, classic science fiction films from this era can often be found for rent or purchase digitally on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. For physical media collectors, look for DVD or Blu-ray releases, sometimes included in classic horror or sci-fi box sets from Universal. Check online retailers like Amazon for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mole People, you might like these similar films:

• Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954): Another iconic Universal Pictures sci-fi/horror film from the 1950s featuring a memorable creature design and themes of exploring unknown, dangerous environments.
• Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959): Based on Jules Verne’s novel, this film also features explorers venturing deep underground to discover a lost world and strange creatures, sharing a core thematic concept of subterranean adventure.
• Tarantula! (1955): Stars John Agar in another Universal 1950s sci-fi creature feature, dealing with a scientific mishap leading to a giant monster threat.
• Planet of the Apes (1968): Features a society with an oppressed, subservient intelligent race (‘Mole People’ as slaves, Humans as slaves) that eventually rebels against their masters, mirroring a key thematic element of ‘The Mole People’.
• Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Mole People (1994): While not a movie itself, this popular episode highlights the film’s unique appeal as a beloved cult classic B-movie often enjoyed ironically or for its camp value by fans.

🛒 The Mole People Related Products

• The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 (Contains The Mole People): A multi-disc Blu-ray set featuring ‘The Mole People’ and other iconic Universal-International science fiction films from the 1950s, often newly restored for optimal picture and sound.
• It Came from the 50s: Weird Science Fiction and Horror Movie Posters: A collection of vibrant and often sensational movie posters from the golden age of 1950s sci-fi and horror, featuring films like ‘The Mole People’.
• Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (Blu-ray): While not strictly a ‘monster’ in the traditional sense, ‘The Mole People’ fits within the Universal horror/sci-fi legacy. This set includes their most famous creatures.
• Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection (DVD/Blu-ray Set): Features the iconic MST3K episode where Mike and the Bots riff on ‘The Mole People’, offering hilarious commentary.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Mole People features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Irving Gertz
• “Entering the Temple / Down the Shaft” – performed by Irving Gertz
• “Mole People Attack” – performed by Irving Gertz

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MST3K – Favorite Moments – The Mole People

You know how some old movies are so bad they’re good? Well, seeing the MST3K crew riff on ‘The Mole People’ is pure comedy gold, totally makes watching this classic B-movie a blast!

✨ Rate