Customer Reviews

First Men in the Moon [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I enjoyed this show as a kid and bought it for my children. My daughter has little interest in SciFi, but my son enjoys all the classics: Forbidden Plant, Them, Godzilla, etc. He watched this every day for several days: the true seal of approval. There is suspense and adventure and buggy monsters. What more would a boy want?

One of the great SciFi thrillers. A movie that may have been forgotten but it rate up there with classic like "The Time Machine". A must have for any real SciFi collector. Great price great delivery.

Sit down, grab your popcorn and enjoy this movie.
I will not disect this movie as other do....i dont care,,, as long
as the movie does its job of entertaining me without product placement and other things they do these days.

This movie has it all, science fiction, good acting, good effects,
monsters, thrills and chills. Loves it as a kid, loving it as a adult.

A famous American celebrity residing in the UK recently lamented the perfidy of the British worker after getting the builders in. Looking out the window at some builders doing up a shop across the street, I observe two men sitting drinking tea and one reading a paper. It was ever thus, as depicted in this film. The brilliant, if mercurial Professor Cavor pleads with his workers to watch the boiler harbouring his latest scientific discovery and they shrug off-handedly, engrossed as they are in a game of checkers. Needless to say the boiler explodes. It was America, of course, that inevitably boasted the first men on the moon. The afore-mentioned scene is no doubt played as a counterpoint to the Selenites moon colony which has a novel way of dealing with the likes of their own Gibbs, which is to freeze him until his nuisance value is needed. Cavor finds this equitable, and there's little doubt that the concept was close to H.G.Wells sensibilities as well, despite the film maker's insistance on a humanitarian counterpoint to the film's facist harshness with a multi-national moon landing crew at the film's beginning. Unfortunately, in the real world the American celebrity was forced to eat humble pie in order to get the house finished.
FMITM suffers from some narrative problems in it's second half due to the fact that it mostly revolves around the reactive. "Look over there!" -"Run from that!" Etc. It is a curiously perverse film because it starts off rather like 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and progressively darkens to the point of being almost repugnant, what with Cavor beaten up by an inexplicably contemptuous Bedford. The ending is frankly disturbing, too. Not family entertainment by any means, but then scriptwriter Nigel Kneale was morbid and pessimistic in his own work, not usually satisfied until his cast are lying prostrate like the denounement of 'Hamlet'.
My favourite bit overall is when Cavor tells Bedford that Cavorite is a secret. "Will you tell me, then?" He is asked. "Yes. Yes, I will tell you" he replies in that endearing manner unique to Lionel Jeffries. An offbeat, but unique and largely forgotten film which is worth searching out.