Conquest of Space

I first saw this one Saturday afternoon when I was about 14 and immediately fell in love with it.I realize it is a little corny at times,and Mickey Shaughnessy is pretty hard to take,but otherwise it is a fun movie.Good special effects,and the cast does a nice job(no matter what critics of this movie say),especially Walter Brooke ,one of my favorite unsung character actors.Watch it if you get the chance!

It is interesting that Pal felt the first astronauts would be like navy crews - I don't think that NASA ever sent NCOs into space, only the best qualified scientists and pilots. The age of the commander would have disqualified him as well, and as it turns out, that would have been better for the expedition. I found the Irish "tag-along" character deeply annoying, and I am not sure how he could have managed to sneak on board. All that aside, this was Hollywood's first serious attempt to reach Mars, and considering that Viking hadn't been there yet, it's not too bad. Shame about the blue skies... Most interesting for me was that the futuristic "minimalist" fittings and fixtures on the space wheel look like nothing other than the style of the sets for the really up-to-date Star Trek: Enterprise. Yes, just like the present, it's going to be a retro future, folks!

Although not the caliber of Pal's earlier space operas, "Conquest of Space" is still highly enjoyable. Besides the unique experience of viewing our future through the eyes of our past, it's interesting to see how many things they got right (and wrong) about space exploration. One of the most interesting devices, especially in light of the International Space Station, whose construction is supposed to commence in 1998, is "The Circle" a rotating, doughnut-shaped space station circling the earth, that is the main setting for the first half of the film. Along side The Circle is being built an enormous rocket ship that resembles a Northrop Flying Wing with a V-2 rocket strapped on it's back. Sadly, Pal's special effects budget was cut short on this project leaving him somewhat short ended on the spectacle. All in all, however, this film is well worth a look.

for a science fiction film released in 1955,this one is pretty good.the effects are above average.the acting is good,the story is good,as is the dialogue.all of these elements are much better than in the later released television show Lost in Space,which i was reminded of.there's even a message that isn't pounded into the viewer with a sledge hammer.there are a couple instances of stereotypical characters behaving in a stereotypical way,but these moments are kept to a minimum,thankfully.certainly with the era and the genre,there ample opportunity for hammy and over the top dialogue and acting but there is little of that.what we do get is an entertaining and sobering 81 minute tale that makes you think.for me,Conquest of Space is a 7/10

If you, as a 10-year-old boy, saw this when it was new and "cutting edge," it'll always have a special place in your heart. Admittedly, the first half is dated and burdened with corny humor, but once the trip to Mars commences, there's one semi-classic sequence after another: the near-collision with an asteroid, the funeral for the dead astronaut, Christmas on Mars, the Mars-quake etc. It'd be hard to write a history of the science-fiction film without a section devoted to this uneven but influential work.

Not George Pal's best,but at least he had us farther along then we are now.His unflagging optimism was all up there on the screen.As a kid who built space ship models I loved this stuff.The film drags a little now,but the dead astronaut's body tagging along for the ride till his "at sea" burial,kept me awake all night at age 8.movie trivia moment:character actor William Redfield who washed out of the mission crew got to pilot the miniaturized sub in "Fantastic Voyage".Talk about perseverance!

The Technicolor process was seldom put to better use than on this George Pal production of mankind's first journey to Mars. The scenes on the space station (an elaborate wheel design) feature outstanding, beautiful star fields in radiant, cobalt blue. The ensuing trip to Mars contains the usual meteor episode, however it is carried off with a good degree of panache for a film of its time. Sure, the "spiritual' story line is delivered heavy handedly; but once again the visuals (many taken from famous Chesley Bonestell paintings) fill you with awe as the ship lands on Mars and the crew struggles for survival. "Conquest Of Space" should be enjoyed for its imagination(given its production time frame), its top-of-the-line, saturated Technicolor vistas; and also the interesting, enjoyable film score. The DVD version, just announced for October, 2004 release from Paramount, will undoubtedly be a visual feast for those that value the George Pal films of the 1950's!