Product Details

• Actors: Edward Judd, Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, Miles Malleson, Norman Bird
• Directors: Nathan Juran
• Writers: H.G. Wells, Jan Read, Nigel Kneale
• Producers: Charles H. Schneer, Ray Harryhausen
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: June 22, 1994
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302309778
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,298 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly faithful adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic., March 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: First Men in the Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Ray Harryhausen turns in yet another memorable film with this adaptation of H.G. Wells "First Men in the Moon". A clever modern day introduction(the idea of script writer Nigel Kneale) sets up the situation and quickly takes us to 1899 Victorian England, where Wells' story originally begins. The only major modifications of Wells source material from this point on is the addition of a love interest in the form of Martha Hyer, as Bedford's fiance, and of the elimination of a vegetation filled moon, which would not be believable to modern audiences.

The Ray Harryhausen special effects again take center stage and they still hold up, even today. This film represented a technical and stylistic challange for Harryhausen because it was shot in the widescreen Panavision format, which did not allow for the use of traditional stop-motion animation techniques. Consequently, blue screen superimposing was used throughout and this lends a real sense of scope and spectacle to the film. The art direction and design are well thought out and are first rate, making the underground lunar empire seem all the more probable on the otherwise airless moon.

The film is riddled with comic relief which usually works but seems inappropriate in a few places. Nathan Juran, who directed Harryhausen's "Seventh Voyage of Sinbad" and "Twenty Million Miles to Earth", is at his best in this movie. The story moves along nicely and is tied togther cleverly at the end, making for a more poignient climax than exists in Wells' book. The music supports the film well and enhances the weirdness of the situation.

"First Men in the Moon" is perfect for sci-fi oriented family viewing and is a must-have for any sci-fi fan.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic of it's kind - they don't make 'em like this now., August 9, 2000

By 

Mark Shanks (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Men in the Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Where oh where to begin? The screenplay by "Quatermass" genius Nigel Kneale? The music by "Avengers" Laurie Johnson? Story by H.G. Wells, and special effects by Ray Harryhausen? With Lionel Jeffries as Cavor?

This was one of very very few big-budget science fiction films before "2001" made the genre "respectable". The adaptation turns Wells's political allegory into a standard action-adventure piece, with Martha Hyer thrown in as a putative romantic interest , but none of that detracts from the absolute charm of this film. Eminently watchable, with nothing unsuitable for all but the smallest children (there *is* a scene with the mooncow, a sort of gigantic caterpillar, chasing our heros and then being shocked by the Selenites). The movies weaves such a spell-binding atmosphere, from the documentary-style "real" moon-landing (four years ahead of its time but looking darned good) to the fabulous sun-shaft of the Selenites, the effect of the eclipse on them, to the truly wistful tone at the end, that all disbelief is suspended and I can guarantee an enjoyable time for all. If you were brought up on this, it's a very pleasant reminder of the best-quality matinees of long ago. I, for one, can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon than with this and a couple of companion pieces. Check my other reviews for suggestions.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pay Dirt, March 1, 2000

By 

Mark Rusch (Middleton, WI.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Men in the Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film left its impression on me back in the mid sixties when it had its run and I was only 10. I later would catch it on TV, but only rarely. With only four channels what would you expect? Back then you had to rate a movie by how much you longed to see it again. It's different now. You can get almost any movie you want and watch at your leisure. I liked the movie because I liked the aura around it. I believed it. The special effects were state of the art for the sixties. Bettered only perhaps by "2001 A Space Odyssey" in 1968. And the music of Laurie Johnson keeps the mood unbroken throughout the film. Available on CD by the way "The Avengers/Laurie Johnson" (Varese Sarabande Records). I also liked the nutty yet brilliant and determined scientist "I'll explain, I'll explain". What was neat too was the whole movie being a flashback. Pardon my grammar. Even today I'm still moved by the scene at the beginning of the film where the last living survivor of the moon expedition in presented with the recently taken photo of the the british flag on the moon. I know that this is an adaptation of the book by H.G. Wells, but I never read the book, so this movie is my only reference point. Can't wait to see it on DVD. Mark