In 1964, before we had actually sent probes to Mars, it was thought that the planet may support life. And so, science fiction writers had a field day, with a "terrestrial" planet in our backyard: the source of dreams, nightmares and even full scale invasions.
This film was made at the end of the era of Classic Movies and the beginning of the era of Color Television, and so has elements of both a Movie and a TV show. Instead of plastic models hanging by a string with a small flame emitting from the tail, this film incorporated well-made miniatures and animation to give the effect of a spaceship traveling very fast in space and in orbit around Mars. The Full-Scale landing craft looked exactly like the miniature that was used, compared to early Science Fiction films that would always show live footage of a V-2 rocket either taking off or (in reverse) landing- And the closeup of the ships never really looked like a V-2.
This film paid special attention to that kind of detail, and gives us a believable platform from which to suspend disbelief at the beginning of the film.
The story being basically "Robinson Crusoe" as an outright homage and version of that story, told as if from Mars instead of a deserted Island, the character Draper (Paul Mantee) even referring to his new found friend "Friday" as "With apologies to Robinson Crusoe".
The Alien, "Interplanetary" craft are similar to the walkers from 1953's War of the Worlds, which was directed also by Byron Haskin. As far as we knew in 1964, this film was as scientifically accurate as could have been made back then. The cabin of the "Gravity Probe One" craft is a believable Mockup, and the banter between Col. Dan McReady (Adam West) and Commander Draper is authentic ballistics talk, as would be used in a real situation of that type - If a craft had to avoid hitting a meteor and was forced down into low Mars orbit.
The choice of Landscape, Death Valley, gave a reasonable Mars landscape for Draper to wander around in- When he looks up into the "sky" the actual landscape was merged beautifully into a matte painting to create a Martian Skyline.
The Alien, "Interplanetary" craft are similar to the walkers from 1953's War of the Worlds, which was directed also by Byron Haskin. As far as we knew in 1964, this film was as scientifically accurate as could have been made back then. The cabin of the "Gravity Probe One" craft is a believable Mockup, and the banter between Col. Dan McReady (Adam West) and Commander Draper is authentic ballistics talk, as would be used in a real situation of that type - If a craft had to avoid hitting a meteor and was forced down into low Mars orbit.
The choice of Landscape, Death Valley, gave a reasonable Mars landscape for Draper to wander around in- When he looks up into the "sky" the actual landscape was merged beautifully into a matte painting to create a Martian Skyline.
As with most films of this type from the late 50's and early 60's, there are a few things that happen that are never explained, for instance it is not explained why the two astronauts had to eject and leave all their food and air in orbit, but of course without a planet-fall there would not have been much of a story. There is also, a wandering Fireball when Draper crash-lands, which destroys most of his Air tanks. This is never explained either. I suppose the writers thought they would have a few unexplained phenomena, or perhaps an explanation was filmed and then edited out for time considerations.
If there were a making of documentary of this film, I would be very interested in seeing it, but documentaries of that sort, were just not made for every movie like they are today.
Even so, this film is an important piece of early Science Fiction, it is well done and enjoyable- And it deserves to be in any film buff's permanent collection.
Even so, this film is an important piece of early Science Fiction, it is well done and enjoyable- And it deserves to be in any film buff's permanent collection.
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