UFOs: Past, Present, and Future Documentary (1974)
The official name of the documentary is “UFOs: Past, Present, and Future”. It was released under this title in 1974, and was later re-released under the title “UFOs” in 1976 and 1979.
“UFOs: Past, Present, and Future” is a documentary film that explores the subject of UFOs, which are Unidentified Flying Objects that are often associated with the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The film was released in 1974 and examines various prominent UFO sightings from the post-war era to the contemporary period.
The documentary was directed by Robert Emenegger and Alan Sandler, and was produced with the cooperation of the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense. The film features interviews with experts and eyewitnesses, as well as reenactments of reported sightings and alleged encounters with extraterrestrial beings.
One of the unique facts about this documentary is that it was produced with the cooperation of the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense, which indicates that the subject of UFOs was taken seriously by government agencies at the time. This fact is supported by an article in the New York Times from 1974, which reported that the Air Force had “assigned a special section to investigate UFO sightings”.
The film covers a range of incidents, including the famous Roswell incident of 1947, the Washington D.C. sightings of 1952, and the alleged abduction of Betty and Barney Hill in 1961. The documentary explores various theories and speculations about the nature and origins of UFOs.
“UFO’s: Past, Present, and Future” details various unique and significant UFO encounters. It begins with a philosophical query about human origins, hinting at extraterrestrial influences. Notably, it describes an incident involving an Army helicopter piloted by Major Coin, where a UFO paced then approached the helicopter, leading to an emergency descent. The craft emitted a green beam that entered the cockpit, and despite descent controls, the helicopter began ascending rapidly.
Another detailed account involves multiple sightings in Mansfield, Ohio, where a UFO was observed by police officers, military personnel, and citizens. The craft was described as cigar-shaped with a metallic structure, emitting intense light and performing maneuvers beyond conventional aircraft capabilities.
Another unique fact about this documentary is that it includes interviews with military personnel who claim to have witnessed UFOs, including former Air Force officer Major Donald Keyhoe. Keyhoe is a prominent figure in the UFO community and authored several books on the subject, including “Flying Saucers from Outer Space”. He is quoted in the documentary as saying, “The Air Force knows that UFOs are real and they are not ours.”
A third unique fact about this documentary is that it features interviews with scientists, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who was an astronomer and consultant to the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, which investigated UFO sightings. Hynek is quoted in the documentary as saying, “We must approach this subject in a scientific manner.”
The documentary also discusses cattle mutilations across the United States, characterized by precise surgical removals and absence of blood, often coinciding with UFO sightings. This peculiar phenomenon has baffled ranchers and investigators alike, pointing to a sophisticated unknown technology or method of operation.
In a personal account, a woman named “Helen” recounts her abduction experience, detailing her and her friends’ encounter with a luminous, saucer-shaped craft and subsequent telepathic communication with humanoid beings aboard the UFO. These beings were described as ashen or blue-grey, wearing fitted jumpsuits, and communicated a peaceful intent.
Some experts who have reviewed the documentary have praised it for its balanced approach to the subject of UFOs. For example, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times from 1974, “The documentary UFOs: Past, Present, and Future is probably the most intelligent, well-balanced treatment of the subject ever produced for TV.”
Some books on the subject of UFOs have also explored the incidents covered in the documentary. For example, “The Roswell Incident” by Charles Berlitz and William Moore examines the Roswell incident of 1947, which is featured in the documentary. The book claims that the crash was the result of a UFO and that the U.S. government covered up the incident.
Overall, these specific incidents highlight the mysterious, advanced technological implications of UFO encounters and suggest a pattern of deliberate, intelligent control behind these phenomena.
