Classic Space Opera (This Island Earth (DVD))

Member Name: Mauri

Product:	This Island Earth (DVD)
Date:	11/07/09 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant Special effects and intelligent story

Disadvantages: Pedestrian acting by leads

'This Island Earth' released in 1955 is classic sci-fi film of that era. With very high production values and a clever storyline it stood out from the run of the mill sensationalist Sci-fi movies it was competing against. It was one of the first science fiction movies to be made in Technicolor giving it a spectacular appearance which have ensured it has stood the test of time and can still be appreciated by modern audiences.

THE PLOT

Dr. Cal Meacham, well known scientist is sent an electronic component for a machine he is building from a mysterious scientific research organisation. The component appears to be more advanced than anything Dr Meacham has come across before. With the component there is also a catalogue listing parts to be used to build a futuristic communications device. Meacham is intrigued and goes on to build the device. On finishing he receives a message from a mysterious man called Exeter and tells him that building the device was a test that Dr Meacham has passed. He has proved himself able enough to join a special research group that Exeter has set up. The next day Meacham is picked up in computer remote controlled plane and taken to the secret research centre. There he finds a group of top international scientist has been assembled including Dr Ruth Adams a former girlfriend of Meacham's. Although Exeter is friendly and enthusiastic about Meacham joining the group Meacham is suspicious about Exeter's motives and convinces Ruth run away with him but this turns out to be only the start of a fantastical adventure involving travel to alien world and filled with danger and suspense.

CAST AND CREDITS

Jeff Morrow ... Exeter
Faith Domergue ... Dr. Ruth Adams
Rex Reason ... Dr. Cal Meacham
Lance Fuller ... Brack
Russell Johnson ... Steve Carlson
Douglas Spencer ... The Monitor of Metaluna
Robert Nichols ... Joe Wilson
Karl Ludwig Lindt ... Dr. Adolph Engelborg

Director: Joseph M. Newman.
Screenplay by Franklin Coen and Edward G. O'Callaghan.

OPINION

'This Island Earth' is based on the short story 'The Alien Machine' by Raymond F Jones first published in 1949 which was later expanded by the author to a full novel 'This Island Earth' in 1952. It is a very complex story and a very ambitious project to adapt for the cinema as verified by the staggering two and half years it took to complete the film. The story requires very advanced special effects to simulate interstellar travel panoramic views of alien landscapes and well as scary alien monsters and its fair share of death rays and alien technology. The special effects rise to the challenge and brought to vivid life by the use of Technicolor the film is visual delight. I would go as far as to say that 'This Island Earth' is probably the best example of 50's Sci-Fi and along with 'The Forbidden Planet' made a year later can be considered a classic of the genre.

Uncharacteristically for many films of this period the relationship between the aliens and humanity is more complex than at first expected. The aliens do not serve as simple ciphers for the communist threat or the dangers of foreign ideology. There are grey areas and the aliens have many redeeming qualities. If one is looking for a moral undertone to the film it is about the futility of war and the dangers of unchecked technological development. This is quite at odds with the thinking of the time where the idea of a brave new world brought about by scientific discovery and technological advances was still in vogue. Indeed its principal message could serve as a stark warning to the cold war superpowers; superior technology and science cannot stop but will accelerate the destruction of civilisation if the combatants are determined to destroy each other at any cost.

If I did have to criticise the film it would be for the performances of its principle actors. The delightfully named Rex Reason as the devilishly good looking Dr Meacham is rather wooden throughout. It is difficult to believe that he is a superior scientist and there is a lack of chemistry between him and the leading lady. Faith Domergue as Dr Ruth Adams was an early discovery of part time film producer and full time eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes, she is a little better than Rex but still not that convincing in her role. She does looks good though as the damsel in distress and screams in all the right places. The acting awards for this film are easily taken by Jeff morrow as the mysterious Exeter. Jeff Morrow was an experienced movie actor before taking this role and went on unlike his co-stars to have a long and successful career in both films and TV. His performance lends credibility to the story and he invariably steals all the scenes he is in from the stiff jawed Rex Reason. Despite the merits of the central performances in the end the strength of this film is not the acting but the daring special effects and the vibrant use of colour.

Another criticism that could be levelled at the film is the rather uneven pacing, the first half of the films is used to set up for the scene for the explosive finale, this is again rather at odds with the usual sci-fi film of the time were action and thrills are packed in from the start often with little regard to the integrity of the story. In my opinion this is not a disadvantage of this film but rather commendable that they have taken care in building up the narrative and dared to present the audience with a more complex story. Having said this, the most memorable part of the film is the last part, the last half hour is non-stop action and each scene could be used to illustrate what is meant by pulp science fiction at its vibrant best. When people talk about Star Wars as 'Space Opera' because of the ambitious, melodramatic story and the large scale even epic settings they could also talk about 'This Island Earth' as an early cinematographic example of this sub genre.

THE DVD AND TECHNICAL DETAILS

This is a no frills DVD release. There is a standard menu scene selection option and subtitle selection but there are no bonus features. To make up for this the print as been digitally restored and the colour and sound is vibrant and clear. The certification is PG in the UK and there is little here that would be inappropriate for nay but the youngest children who might be a little distressed by the mild horror scenes towards the end of the film.

Classification: PG
DVD Release Date: 4 Feb 2008
Run Time: 83 minutes

OVERALL

I'm huge fan of sci-fi films on this period but I will be the first to admit that much of the output of the time was low budget, badly made B-features with little to recommend them to audience beyond devoted fans of the genre. However some films of the time were more adventurous and aimed at producing something with more artistic integrity. They tried to translate to the screen the wonderful legacy of the stories that featured in the classic 1930's sci-fi magazines 'Astounding Stories' and 'Wonder Stories' regarded by many as the golden era of sci-fi. More than this some films attempted to use the medium to bring some social commentary to audience at a time when films were largely regarded as vehicles for escapism. 'This Island Earth' succeeds on all these levels and remains and great spectacle even today. In my opinion 'This Island Earth' is a classic of science fiction cinema.

Highly Recommended!

At the time of writing this review 'This Island Earth' can be bought from Play.co.uk for £4.99 including delivery.

© Mauri 2009

Summary: A classic sci-fi film of the 50's with cutting edge special effects