Robinson Crusoe on Mars

source: Robinson Crusoe on Mars

Trailer—Robinson Crusoe on Mars

Robinson Crusoe on Mars

I remember seeing this one (in syndication?) late at night on TV as a kid about 1967. It was not long after we got our first color TV. Mars was still a distant planet, the space race was on and Kennedy had just said we would be the 1st to the moon, Gemini was flying out of Cape Kennedy and there was little data on Mars as the *1st Mariner fly-by missions* were still a YEAR away, forget about landing there we had never been near the place. The movie holds up well considering that we were still ignorant about the "Red Planet". It compares to the Mission to Mars done recently and it is the Robinson Crusoe on Mars for 12-year-olds of this generation. (The fact we send robots to Mars does take some fun out of it now and I still hope we walk around there) It is as good as any of Pal's other movies and it is a shame it is out of print. Heck, it even has Batman!

I've got to say this movie was ahead of its time. The story is solid, and the acting first rate. Paul Mantee portrays the isolation on Mars perfectly. The back drops and special effects are superb and don't overtake the acting. I've seen it a million times, but whenever it's on AMC or Turner I have to catch some if not all of it!!

Filmed in Death Valley with a small, non-star cast, this is the film that Frank Darabont said made him fall in love with the movies. It's easy to see why. Here's one sci-fi adventure that works on a personal level as crashed astronaut Paul Mantee tries to survive alone on Mars. It's such a great idea, one wonders why Hollywood hasn't recycled it!

Beautifully filmed in Death Valley, a low budget didn't hurt this fine movie, which was crafted with intelligence, wit, and imagination. Paul Mantee stars as the survivor of an ill-fated voyage to Mars, and he plays his role with zest, humor, and gritty determination to survive despite the long odds against him. Nicely adapted from the classic tale, this movie stands the test of time; despite its being released in 1964, it has a uniquely authentic look and feel, despite the dated hardware. It's a good movie for the kids (they'll probably fall in love with Mona the monkey). Best of all, this movie leaves you with a satisfied, thumbs-up smile when the ending credits roll, and lots of movies with bigger stars and more lavish budgets just don't do as well. I rate it 8.5 out of 10

Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet. I have to say, watching this now (2016), I can't help but be struck by the similarity to "The Martian". There are major differences, of course, but you cannot help but wonder if this film in some small way influenced that one. Or, you know, maybe it is just a coincidence. This is a pretty good science fiction film. Unlike "The Martian", it seems to solve the oxygen problem a bit too easily and with a more or less supernatural answer. But I like the blend of space and Robinson Crusoe. Very clever. I believe this film might even have been picked up by the Criterion Collection; that seems like a strange choice for them, but would only boost this film's respect.

As we get closer to traveling to other planets, this is one story that could wind up being real. This story pretty much follows the original Robinson Crusoe story, only it takes place on another planet and not on a desert island. Paul Mantee puts in a credible performance as the astronaut who must learn how to cope without being around his fellow man. The scene that is especially interesting is when he hallucinates after getting food poisoning and seeing his dead fellow crew member. This shows the effect that isolation can have on a person and how it can drive a person mad. Luckily he did find a companion in the alien he named Friday. I recommend this film heartily.

It would be misleading to say this is an action packed sci-fi movie. It has more of a psychological Hitchcockian nature to it. It is the story of two astronauts, one of them Batman (tongue in cheek, its really the actor Adam West) who make it to Mars, but one of them dies (I don't think this is a spoiler, since it happens early). The survivor is seen in a very realistic sense, battling the elements and natural dangers, and trying to find sustenance, while also battling the psychological reality of being alone. Does he eventually find a companion? A Friday? I won't spoil that, either. The viewer is in for a psychological roller coaster that does spark of realism, even if the Mars landscape doesn't. If you can just imagine that this is someplace else, or a Mars of the mind, then you can still accept the premise.