1952
Directed By Harry Horner
SYNOPSIS
A scientist (Peter Graves) is intent on sending messages to the planet Mars. When he receives an answer, it sends the whole world in a panic. But when the ongoing messages turn toward a biblical slant, the world unifies in ways never seen before... but did the messages really come from Mars?
MY THOUGHTS
A unique cold war sci-fi film, Red Planet Mars features brains over action.
The film is very intelligent and its approach to the scientific method and a more cerebral attitude lifts it far above the usual "aliens are the enemy" message of other films of the era. The film is nearly as intelligently made as Forbidden Planet.
I was very surprised the film took a religious angle, which most American movies (even in the 1950's) would avoid at all costs. It thankfully doesn't beat us over the head with the message... though it is a very mainstream Christian one.
The film differs from many 50's alien films.
It never features any Martians. This is both a good and a bad thing. One, we're never forced to see what a very low-budget version of a Martian is supposed to look like, which would no doubt look silly. That's good. The bad is, we never see one, which is a bit of a let down at the same time. Not even a spaceship.
The evilness of the Commie Russians is over-emphasized, but it was the nature of the time in which this was made... at the height of the red scare.
Red Planet Mars does portray the Earth as a truly global place. The contact has an effect on all facets of life. Economic, spiritual, etc... from all corners of the globe.
Peter Graves gives a dynamic performance, as does his wife, played by Andrea King.
Red Planet Mars is perfect for fans of 50's sci-fi who want a change of pace over the usual goofy man-in-a-suit monsters from outer space attacking innocent civilians.
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