Editorial Review:Amazon.com:A mysterious, pilotless plane carries scientist Rex Reason to a colony of America's best and brightest minds. They've been kidnapped by a dying alien race, the Metalunians, to repair their defense shield before their enemies destroy their world completely, 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, philosophizes as Exeter, the thoughtful Metalunian torn between his duty and his morals as he forces the plucky humans to labor in his race's defense. 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's 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 marvelous alien makeup, and grandstanding special effects invest the film with a Technicolor splendor. 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 codirector.
--Sean Axmaker
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Classic Sci-Fi, So-So Transfer
If you like classic Sci-Fi, you will like this movie. Mutants, flying saucers, advanced technology - what else can you ask for? The only downside to this DVD is that the transfer is not superior to the videotape version.
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This Island Earth has stood the test of time.
This Island Earth is one of the few movies that have stood the test of time. It is still as interesting today as it was when I first say it almost 50 years ago.
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A Good Sci-Fi Flick
Too bad they didnt elabrate upon this plot, some very good ideas that went real quick. Wish it was twice as long. Its worth a watch!
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"Earth" ain't much, but as an MST3K vehicle, it has its moments
OK, simply, like my title said, this movie ain't worth much at all by itself. Kidnapped scientists..."interocitors"...aliens with a definite receeding hairline problem who've spent too long under the sunlamp...and the...ah..."Doctor" from "Gilligan's Island." YAY! Almost "Plan 9 From Outer Space" in color, huh? Save your money: get that "MST3K - The Movie" instead, and I guarantee you'll enjoy yourself more.
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This Island Earth - the first sci-fi movie I ever saw on the big screen
This Island Earth was an enjoyable and entertaining film. I thought this film's special effects were a bit short of the mark and now feel that the story is pretty superficial with little development. The plot catered only to classic sci-fi film taste. In short, it is my honest opinion that a far superior film could have been made for the budget and schedule (which was supposed to be something like 2-1/2 years).
That said, This Island Earth was the first color sci-fi film I ever saw on the big screen at the LUXOR theater in the Bronx. You could feel the emotions of first time viewers emerging from the theater laughing and chattering about how great this movie was. My memory is that movie posters and lobby cards for This Island Earth looked colorful, exciting and promising of a good time.
When I first watch this film I was not disappointed in the special effects, presentation on the big screen, or anything about it. It was a night to remember and helped make me an avid sci-fi film fan to this very day. I don't begrudge any reviewers their five star rating for this fun film.