Review of Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) by Stuart K — 30 Jun 2009
A cheap-as-chips sci-fi film from the mid-1960's, the title alone would put most people off seeing the films, but the fact of the matter is that it is actually quite good, better than good in fact, and the special effects for it's day were quite well done.
Set in the future, it has Commander Kit Draper (Paul Mantee) and Colonel Dan McReady (Adam West, yes that one!!) orbiting Mars in an exploritory surveyor. When a malfunction forces Draper and a monkey named Mona to eject from the spaceship, and they find themselves as the only living inhabitants on Mars, and they have to learn to survive in this brooding, hostile environment.
Draper has to learn to live off the planet, oxygen is low, but he finds rocks that give off oxygen when they're burning, and he finds water. Then, along comes a human like stranger from another planet altogether, Draper decides to call him Friday (Victor Lundin).
It's very well made for it's day, (director Byron Haskin did the 1953 version of The War of the Worlds), it's an intriguing piece and holds your attention for it's duration. And it got SOME of it's facts right with it's depictions of technology.
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This review of Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) was written by Stuart K on 30 Jun 2009.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars has generally received positive reviews.
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