Conquest Of Space
How far is too far?
Retro sets, atmospheric music and an action-packed story are the highlights of this enthralling science-fiction adventure. The commander of a flight to Mars endangers his crew when he gradually becomes obsessed with their precedent-setting space journey, cracks under pressure, and tries to sabotage the mission. Produced by innovative filmmaker George Pal (The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine) and directed by five-time Academy Award nominee Bryon Haskin (Treasure Island, Desperate Journey), this space-exploration odyssey vividly illustrates the premise that no matter how advanced science becomes, human weaknesses remain.
Member Reviews
Dated, but intelligently written just the same - RobBC
“This is a story of tomorrow...” intones the opening narrator, “...or the day after tomorrow.” Thus begins one of the more optimistic science fiction epics to emerge from the Cold War. Despite a few naive assumptions and forgivable scientific liberties, "Conquest of Space" features some great special effects for its time; a pinwheel space station whirling against a giant backdrop of Earth is quite well done especially when set to an original score faintly reminiscent of Holst’s “Neptune the Mystic.” Furthermore, director Byron Haskin demonstrates a sound understanding of what life in space might be like. The Wheel’s multiracial inhabitants must have been eye-opening for contemporary audiences and a couple of futuristic concepts are bang on; overpopulation, dwindling resources, big screen TVs, and the move towards one world government (“free trade” hadn’t been coined yet). But where the film excelled for me was when it explored the downside of space exploration; the longing for home, the interpersonal tensions, and the psychosis brought about by endless responsibilities and confined quarters here referred to as “space fatigue”. A colourful and visionary addition to the retro sci-fi genre.Classic Underrated '50's Space Opera - Manuel
This film is worth seeing and getting for the ambitious realisation of the incredible Chesley Bonestell and his paintings. This is the way man might have gone to space given an unlimited budget and a ten year head start on Sputnik and Gagarin. The film is a little corny even by 1950's standards, and having the Commander of the expedition go a little loony AND ultra-religious is somewhat jarring. But I do like this film, for it is visually well-done and it is what it is: a product of it's time.
Member Reviews
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Dated, but intelligently written just the same - RobBC
“This is a story of tomorrow...” intones the opening narrator, “...or the day after tomorrow.” Thus begins one of the more optimistic science fiction epics to emerge from the Cold War. Despite a few naive assumptions and forgivable scientific liberties, "Conquest ...Classic Underrated '50's Space Opera - Manuel
This film is worth seeing and getting for the ambitious realisation of the incredible Chesley Bonestell and his paintings. This is the way man might have gone to space given an unlimited budget and a ten year head start on Sputnik and Gagarin. The film is ...