Barnes & Noble

One of the most beloved sci-fi movies of the '50s (and deservedly so), This Island Earth spins a thoroughly satisfying tale from the usual atomic-age tropes (alien invaders! giant mutants!). Plot motivation derives from the frantic efforts of humanoid aliens from Metaluna to develop new sources of atomic energy to defend their imperiled planet. To this end, Earth's finest scientists are recruited by a Metalunan named Exeter (Jeff Morrow), who ultimately transports Drs. Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) and Rita Adams (Faith Domergue) to his dying world. The special effects sequences -- which include a dandy when Exeter's rocket ship is buffeted by meteors while en route to Metaluna -- are primitive when compared to today's computer-generated imagery, and the makeup designed for a half-human, half-insect mutant is positively laughable in comparison to today's sophisticated latex applications. Despite Joseph M. Newman's relatively sober direction of a script, faithfully adapted from Raymond Jones's famous pulp yarn, This Island Earth may come off to today's viewers as hopelessly cornball, and oft-reproduced scenes of the statuesque Domergue being menaced by the mutant have become part of camp iconography. But at the time of its theatrical release in 1954, this film was considered less sensational and more forward-looking than most of its contemporaries, and even today its sobriety and sincerity shine through. Highly entertaining. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

For reasons that defy logic, the excellent This Island Earth was held up for ridicule as an allegedly bad movie in the film version of TV's Mystery Science Theater. If not the best science-fiction film of the 1950s, Earth is certainly one of the most intelligent and elaborate. The story begins when the image of Exeter (Jeff Morrow), a huge-domed scientific genius from the planet Metaluna, appears on an experimental 3D television screen. Exeter invites several noted scientists from around the world to work on a top-secret project at Exeter's earthly mansion. Among those accepting the invitation are Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) and his ex-fiancee Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue). Soon, Cal and Ruth learn Exeter's true motives; to use the Earth's atomic knowhow in building a defense shield to protect Metaluna against the enemy planet Zahgon. Eventually, Exeter boards his high-tech flying saucer and whisks Cal and Ruth off to his dying planet, where, among other perils, they are menaced by a hideous mutant. Based on a novel by Raymond F. Jones, This Island Earth is one of those rare 1950s speculative films that holds up as well today as it did when first released, despite the comparative quaintness of the special effects and high-tech paraphernalia. Incidentally, the climactic Metalunan scenes were directed by Universal's resident sci-fi specialist, Jack Arnold. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 025192013621
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Français, Español
• Time: 1:26:00
• Sales Rank: 8,425

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