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Special Features
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Although it is a thoughtful and surprisingly nonexploitative movie, the title Robinson Crusoe on Mars might conjure up unholy echoes of cross-pollinated genre movies such as Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter or Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Well, don't worry. This 1964 space epic is in fact an adaptation of the classic Daniel Defoe novel, and it plays fair by logic and science. After his spaceship crash-lands on Mars, astronaut Paul Mantee must figure out how to survive on the hostile planet (shot mostly in Death Valley), aided only by a monkey from his ship. Director Byron (The War of the Worlds) Haskin's sober approach brings a refreshing emphasis to issues of survival--how many space travel movies have you seen where the traveler tests the air of a distant planet and discovers that, by George, he can breathe just fine? Not this one. Mantee's desperate methods of tracking his air flow and experimenting with methods of breathing are painstakingly explored, and seem like exactly the kind of problems a real planetary voyager would encounter. The second half of the picture cleverly blends Defoe's plot with sci-fi conventions, and the movie never does "dumb down."
The Criterion Collection's DVD of Robinson Crusoe on Mars is a handsome treatment of a minor classic. A commentary track stitches together comments from a variety of participants, including Mantee, Haskin (in a 1979 interview), and original screenwriter Ib Melchior (disagreements between Haskin and Melchoir are included). A featurette, Destination--Mars gives some of the "science fact" behind the movie, and excerpts from Melchoir's original treatment show suggest changes made. And a "music video" puts movie clips alongside a song written and performed by co-star Victor Lundin, a number he developed for his appearances at sci-fi conventions. --Robert Horton
Product Description
Special effects wunderkind and genre master Byron Haskin (The War of the Worlds, The Outer Limits) won a place in the hearts of fantasy film lovers everywhere with this gorgeously designed journey into the unknown. Robinson Crusoe on Mars tells the story of U.S. astronaut Commander “Kit” Draper (Paul Mantee), who must fight for survival when his spaceship crash-lands on the barren waste of Mars, a pet monkey his only companion. But is he actually alone? Shot in vast Techniscope and blazing color, this is an imaginative and beloved marvel of classic science fiction.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
136 of 141 people found the following review helpful
By C. Cervenka
Format:DVD
Robinson Crusoe On Mars is one of those films that makes you long for yester-year.
For those who love the older science fiction films with their wide eyed view of the future of science and space, or those who just love a good solo adventure into the wild, this is one of the more well made films from the Sci Fi 60s (the film also has an appearance from the soon-to-be TV Batman, Adam West). With a wonderful imagining of Mars and some War Of The Worlds like space ships (no wonder as Worlds Byron Haskin helmed this as well) this film is a great addition to any movie buffs library. If you like Forbbiden Planet, this will be right up your alley.
Criterion had offered this on Laserdisc and has been an expensive re-sell on Ebay over the years (between $100 and $200). But now you can own a much better transfer of the film with a few extra features! I have been awaiting this DVD release from them for a long time so this is my Criterion disc of the year!
For those who love the older science fiction films with their wide eyed view of the future of science and space, or those who just love a good solo adventure into the wild, this is one of the more well made films from the Sci Fi 60s (the film also has an appearance from the soon-to-be TV Batman, Adam West). With a wonderful imagining of Mars and some War Of The Worlds like space ships (no wonder as Worlds Byron Haskin helmed this as well) this film is a great addition to any movie buffs library. If you like Forbbiden Planet, this will be right up your alley.
Criterion had offered this on Laserdisc and has been an expensive re-sell on Ebay over the years (between $100 and $200). But now you can own a much better transfer of the film with a few extra features! I have been awaiting this DVD release from them for a long time so this is my Criterion disc of the year!
82 of 89 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Caylow
Format:DVD
I must echo my fellow reviewers on this one: "Robinson Crusoe On Mars" on DVD....FINALLY!!! This has been a longtime favorite movie of mine. I used to watch it all the time on TV as a kid, and I still love it now. As the title suggests, this 1964 sci-fi classic is the "Robinson Crusoe" story set on Mars, with the tale of one astronaut's survival on an alien world. Like "2001," "Forbidden Planet," "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and "Solaris" (the original "Solaris," NOT the god-awful remake with George Clooney), "Robinson Crusoe On Mars" is an *intelligent* sci-fi movie. It's well-written, beautifully shot, expertly directed by Byron Haskin, and acted quite strongly by a very effective trio of actors: Paul Mantee as the stranded astronaut, Victor Lundin as the alien whom our hero names Friday, and Adam West (of "Batman" fame) as a fellow astronaut (even though West's role is basically a cameo). And the movie also features THE most adorable little monkey in the history of cinema, Mona. I'm absolutely delighted to see this sci-fi classic get the DVD treatment at last. And the fact that it's being put out by Criterion is even better! (They also did a marvelous job with "Solaris" too, I must admit.) "Robinson Crusoe On Mars" is one of the sci-fi greats, a very special movie that anyone, even non sci-fi fans, can enjoy. I can't wait to get it!
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Kathy
Format:DVD
Information on this disc straight from Criterion's website
Special Features:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary featuring screenwriter Ib Melchior, actors Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin, production designer Al Nozaki, Oscar-winning special effects designer and Robinson Crusoe on Mars historian Robert Skotak, and excerpts from a 1979 audio interview with director Byron Haskin
- Destination: Mars, a new video featurette by Michael Lennick detailing the science behind Robinson Crusoe on Mars
- Excerpts from Melchior's original screenplay
- New music video for Victor Lundin's song "Robinson Crusoe on Mars"
- Stills gallery of behind-the-scenes photos, production designs, and promotional material
- Theatrical trailer
- PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by filmmaker and space historian Michael Lennick, Melchior's "Brief Yargorian Dictionary" of original alien dialect, and a list of facts about Mars from his original screenplay
The Transfer:
"Robinson Crusoe on Mars is presented in its original Techniscope aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Black bars at the top and bottom of the screen are normal for this format. This new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit 4K Datacine from the 35mm 2-perforation A/B interpositive struck from the original negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System. To maintain optimal image quality through the compression process, the picture on this dual-layer DVD-9 was encoded at the highest-possible bit rate for the quantity of material included.
The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a 35mm magnetic full coat master three track, and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks, pops, hiss, and crackle. The Dolby Digital 1.0 signal will be directed to the center channel on surround sound systems, but some viewers may prefer to switch to two-channel playback for a wider dispersal of the mono sound."
I'm a little disappointed that it appears that Adam West wasn't even interviewed for this release. But it's good to have this one on DVD at long last.
When you think of all the crap Paramount has released while this sat on the shelf....
Special Features:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary featuring screenwriter Ib Melchior, actors Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin, production designer Al Nozaki, Oscar-winning special effects designer and Robinson Crusoe on Mars historian Robert Skotak, and excerpts from a 1979 audio interview with director Byron Haskin
- Destination: Mars, a new video featurette by Michael Lennick detailing the science behind Robinson Crusoe on Mars
- Excerpts from Melchior's original screenplay
- New music video for Victor Lundin's song "Robinson Crusoe on Mars"
- Stills gallery of behind-the-scenes photos, production designs, and promotional material
- Theatrical trailer
- PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by filmmaker and space historian Michael Lennick, Melchior's "Brief Yargorian Dictionary" of original alien dialect, and a list of facts about Mars from his original screenplay
The Transfer:
"Robinson Crusoe on Mars is presented in its original Techniscope aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Black bars at the top and bottom of the screen are normal for this format. This new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit 4K Datacine from the 35mm 2-perforation A/B interpositive struck from the original negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System. To maintain optimal image quality through the compression process, the picture on this dual-layer DVD-9 was encoded at the highest-possible bit rate for the quantity of material included.
The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a 35mm magnetic full coat master three track, and audio restoration tools were used to reduce clicks, pops, hiss, and crackle. The Dolby Digital 1.0 signal will be directed to the center channel on surround sound systems, but some viewers may prefer to switch to two-channel playback for a wider dispersal of the mono sound."
I'm a little disappointed that it appears that Adam West wasn't even interviewed for this release. But it's good to have this one on DVD at long last.
When you think of all the crap Paramount has released while this sat on the shelf....
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Sci Fi Movie
This movie is an old classic! I was happy to be able to purchase it for my library and look forward to introducing this movie to my girlfriend who does not usually like sci fi.
Published 9 days ago by gntlmn5
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you haven't seen it, get it.
This was an oldie but a goody. The Star of the movie was really Mona the monkey, but don't tell her.
Published 15 days ago by Stephanie E. Horn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally it back.
I've been waiting for that, but can't remember what was the name that movie. My sister told me about that. Yes, I'm looking for that. Thank you, Big Sis. It's good movie.
Published 16 days ago by Vicki E. Newport
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought movie for a relative.
Purchased movie for a brother. He is quite satisfied with the quality of the DVD. Also it was one of my favorite movies of my youth.
Published 1 month ago by Johnny Bowden
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film.
This was a great film and the extras were a great history leason.I saw this movie when it came out in the 60s
Published 1 month ago by michael hirt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Movie evaluation
An under rated movie, better than most of it's type, especially concerning mars. The visuals in the back ground and the alien craft were also q1uite good.
Published 1 month ago by Christopher M. Newport
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was a gift
My father has a list of movies he wants and I try to get some for him. This was one of them.
Published 1 month ago by JD Glover
4.0 out of 5 stars
For the Space Age
As the title indicates, this film is a retelling of De Foe's timeless tale. But it is not merely a retelling, but also an adaptation--though better described as a transposition. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kendal B. Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my all time favorites
Adapt and overcome. That is the theme of this movie. The special effects are still awesome and I believe even better than the computer animated ones of today.
Published 2 months ago by Berny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Astounding
This was so close as to be scary. Looking at what a visionaries conceptual believe was fifty years ago and what we know today is totally astounding. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Donald Hensley
