Elam does a great job playing the wacky old man role. He, or the script, works in a Bradbury reference. I had not realized that John Hoyt played the Martian. He did some work in 3 Outer Limits episodes as well.

Many people would say Seven Samurai is his best.  Throne of Blood= Macbeth and Ran= King Lear if that helps make them more accessible.