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Destination Moon is not your average, cheesy, 50s sci-fi. This film is different, a cut above the norm and was so intended from its very beginning. Created and written by the justly famous Robert Heinlein, he had a definate vision in mind with this film. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about film making or film makers. In his "Grumbles from the Grave," he recalls his efforts in this with disgust and was entirely frustrated with the whole thing long before it was finished. But he didn't understand the limitations or reality of the film making industry. Happily, with that knowledge in hindsight the film turned out far better than he knew. What he had in mind from the beginning was more akin to a documentary. No screaming women or drooling rubber suited monsters. Just hard science as far as it was known or could be reasonably projected within the foreseeable future. His vision, like other notable scientists and authors of the day was that with WWII past and scientific breakthroughs happening almost daily it seemed, Man(the species) would soon, indeed must, reach out of Earth's atmosphere to explore the far reaches of our solar system. With a vision of the power of the atom turned for constructive purpose rather than destructive, It was believed that that would happen within their generation. Maybe that's why, in the film, he took space exploration out of the hands of government and put it into those of business. In today's economic environment, many would question the wisdom of putting anything into the hands of industrialists. But the industrialists of that generation were cut from different cloth. Oh yes there was greed aplenty and desire for profit, how else to pay for R&D? But that generation also took the Wright Bro.s flimsy machine and within 50 years spanned oceans with ever bigger, faster and more powerful aircraft. Sound provided a difficult barrier, but it was crossed, granted at hest of the government now taking a firm hand in this exploration because there was a new, powerful enemy. This enemy isn't named in the film but openly referred to in the opening sequence with a case of apparent sabotage. Here too is the "Red Menace." The film moves from there through a means whereby the ship for the moon, a plainly obvious first step into space, could be developed, problems of R&D and financing to be overcome. Then politics, as another problem, a drag upon progress and another reference to the un-named enemy who would impede our progress. The film carries us through the launch, the great G-forces that would be encountered. It also takes us from the popular sled launching system to a direct rocketing up through the atmosphere followed by adjustment to weightlessness. It also inflicts upon us a change in characters in the form of a griping, reluctant, classical New York character familiar to most watchers from the many WWII films then being produced. Curiously, the moon landing was obscured and hinged on luck and pilot skill just as was Apollo 11's actual landing. There are scientific details aplenty and a carefully portrayed moonscape as accurate as could be imagined based on earth telescope observation. One admitted error was that of the moons surface depiction as being like cracked dry mud rather than it's actual dusty, rock strewn appearance. To close, there is drama of a fuel shortage and weight excess to be overcome, perhaps by leaving one man behind. It was such dramatizing that Heinlein wanted none of.Read full review
Great early George Pal classic Sci Fi film in color, awesome special effects, great cast, and high production values make this film essential viewing for all Sci Fi fans!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
George Pal was one of best makers of film. True escape films, but this one comes to be. A race to the moon,atomic rockets and glory of the 50s male. Could one want more...okay there's also Woody Woodpecker too. A good time for all.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Good copy of a hard-to-find old movie. Interesting adaptation of Heinlein's Rocket Ship Galileo, screenplay co-written by Heinlein himself. Slightly corny now, but in a fun way. Great for nostalgists!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Talk about something like a time-capsule: to watch this movie "Destination Moon" is like the opening of a time-capsule. Produced in 1950, the film deals with the mission of a crew of astronautas who must reach the Moon first before an unspoken enemy ( that of course are the Soviets ). Why it is like a time-capsule? It is because watching this movie you can see how the science of that time envisioned space travel and the conquest of the Moon. An interesting movie for those interested in retro stuff, vintage Science-Fiction and History.
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