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This Island Earth [VHS] [1955] starring: Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, Rex Reason, Lance Fuller, Russell Johnson

Publisher: 4 Front Video
Release date: 6th March, 2000
Media: VHS Tape

Format

• PAL

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Editorial Review

A mysterious, pilotless plane carries scientist Rex Reason to a colony of America's best and brightest minds. They have been kidnapped by a dying alien race, the Metalunians, to repair their defence shield before their enemies destroy their world completely, and are to be found toiling under their spying eyes and futuristic security cameras (two-way TVs that dominate every room). Jeff Morrow, under a raised forehead, bronze tan, and snow-white hair, philosophises as Exeter, the thoughtful Metalunian torn between his duty and his morals as he forces the plucky humans to labour in his race's defence. The moody mystery of the first half turns to pure pulp adventure when the humans are transported across the galaxy to the battle-scarred world of Metaluna, under the threatening watch of a monstrous bug-eyed monster with a giant brain for a head and massive claws for hands. There is a genuine sense of wonder to Joseph Newman's intergalactic adventure, one of the most ambitious science fiction films of the 1950s. The story is simple space opera, but the futuristic designs of glass and metal, the marvellous alien makeup, and grand-standing special effects invest the film with a Technicolor splendour. Faith Domergue co-stars as a nuclear physicist and Gilligan's Island's Russell Johnson makes his first professorial appearance as a scientist. Science-fiction auteur Jack Arnold was an unbilled co-director. --Sean Axmaker

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Average rating - (more reviews)

Rating: - A good 50s sci-fi experience.

This film will offer you a typical 50s Sci-Fi experience. It features everything you might be expecting: spacecraft and space travel, strange looking alien creatures ,and the kind of acting that makes you realize why some of these actors vanished after this film. Rex Reason(with his impressively deep voice) is not the greatest actor,but he does have a handsome presence. This is a fun look back at the paranoia of America in the mid 50s.

Rating: - My earliest S.F. memory

This was my first ever experience of Science Fiction which I remember fondly. I liked it so much I also bought the paperback many decades later. I was particularly bowled over by the thought that there could ever be beings from another planet, that they could be amongst us, that strange devices called interroceters could be used as an intelligence test & the bug eyed worker on Metaluna was very scary, when I was 5 yrs old. I actually enjoyed the paperback better as the film doesn't stand the test of time so well. On the whole I would watch this if it comes up on the telly, I would read the book (much more believable & interesting) but I can't honestly recommend anyone buy the film except for nostalgia.

Rating: - Cold war sci-fi of the first order.

When this was made Sputnik was still 2 years away. You'll expect spaceships bouncing on their strings - so when you see the special effects you'll be blown away. This is not Star Wars - but you will be immersed in the paranoia of 1950s America. My only criticism is that they spend so little time on the alien planet. I guess the special effects caused serious budget problems - plus ca change!

Rating: - Technicolour Classic Sc-Fi

This classic is up there with the likes of Forbidden Planet, The Thing from Another World and, my personal favourite, The Day The Earth Stood Still. Any true fan of 50s sci fi should have this in their collection - yes I know it's a bit naff by todays slick CGI enhanced standards (as most, no ALL, 50's sci fi movies are) but that's part of the reason we love 'em - uncomplicated, unsophisticated fun!

Rating: - 2.5 years in the making 86 minutes in the telling

It goes great with popcorn. It keeps cooking from the time the jet plane is saved from crashing on burn out, to the mysterious metal-paged catalog. Right up to the end. And notice that the cat could tell that they were being scanned. This was probably the original "CAT scan."

Russell Johnson has this thing for islands. First there is "This Island Earth" then there is "Gilligan's Island" and my favorite island with him on it is in "Attack of the Crab Monsters" (1957) where he gets his tubes ate.

After viewing the movie be sure to read the book for comparison." This Island Earth" (Forrest J Ackerman Presents)

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