Watch The Glitterball

The Glitterball is a family-friendly sci-fi adventure movie from 1977 that tells the story of a group of schoolboys who stumble upon a mysterious glowing ball while playing in an abandoned warehouse. The ball turns out to be an alien device that can transport people through time and space, and the boys quickly find themselves on an incredible intergalactic adventure.

The movie stars Ben Buckton as Johnnie, the bold and adventurous leader of the group, Keith Jayne as Sneaker, the nerdy and skeptical brainiac, and Ron Pember as Dan, the grumpy and opportunistic handyman who tries to exploit the alien technology for his own gain.

The Glitterball is a charming and wholesome movie that captures the innocence and curiosity of childhood, as well as the timeless themes of friendship, teamwork, and self-discovery. The special effects and production values are admittedly low-budget by today's standards, but the filmmakers still manage to create a fun and imaginative world that will delight viewers of all ages.

The movie opens with Johnnie and his friends Sneaker and Scotchie exploring the abandoned warehouse on their bikes, looking for a new adventure. They stumble upon an old metal sphere, which suddenly lights up and opens to reveal a glowing ball of energy inside. The boys are amazed and curious, but when they get too close, the ball shoots out a beam of light and transports them to a strange new planet.

On this new world, the boys meet a friendly alien named Vift, who tells them that the Glitterball is a powerful device that can transport them anywhere in the universe, as long as they think of a specific time and place. Vift also warns them that the ball is coveted by a sinister race of aliens called the Krools, who want to use its power for their own evil purposes.

Determined to keep the Glitterball out of the hands of the Krools, Johnnie and his friends embark on a thrilling journey through time and space, visiting ancient Rome, medieval England, and even a futuristic space station. Along the way, they face various challenges and learn important lessons about trust, courage, and responsibility.

Throughout the movie, the relationship between the boys is at the heart of the story. Johnnie is the natural leader, always eager to explore and take risks, but he also learns the importance of listening to his friends and working together as a team. Sneaker, on the other hand, is more cautious and analytical, but he proves to be a valuable resource when it comes to solving problems and figuring out how to use the Glitterball. And Scotchie, the youngest and most innocent of the group, provides plenty of comic relief and sweet moments of friendship.

Ron Pember's character, Dan, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Initially, he's just a gruff and opportunistic handyman who sees the boys as an easy mark to make some quick cash. But as the adventure unfolds, he starts to realize the true potential of the Glitterball and becomes more invested in the boys' quest to keep it out of the Krools' hands.

Overall, The Glitterball is a charming and nostalgic movie that captures the spirit of classic sci-fi adventures like E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It may not have the big-budget production values of modern sci-fi movies, but it more than makes up for it with its heart, humor, and imaginative storytelling. This is a movie that will appeal to kids and adults alike, and will leave you with a warm feeling of wonder and nostalgia.

The Glitterball is a 1977 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.