The First Man into Space

Rating:
Summary: B-Movie from the 1950's
Review: Here's a typical 50's sci-fi movie, with Marshall Thompson playing his usual part. Nothing unusual here. If expectations are any guide, this didn't meet mine.

This movie, however, suited a nation worried about atomic energy, for many movies focused on the effects of radiation. This is not a great representative of what has become a cult movement - enough to cause the rerelease of many of these low-budget classics.

Rating:
Summary: First into space, but no award for this one.
Review: Here's a typical 50's sci-fi movie, with Marshall Thompson playing his usual part. Nothing unusual here. If expectations are any guide, this didn't meet mine.

This movie, however, suited a nation worried about atomic energy, for many movies focused on the effects of radiation. This is not a great representative of what has become a cult movement - enough to cause the rerelease of many of these low-budget classics.

Rating:
Summary: Decent sci-fi movie
Review: I found "First Man into Space" to be a decent sci-fi movie. The story is a little dull at times, but the actors are well cast, and the movie has good suspense. It's nothing great, but worth at least one viewing for 1950's sci-fi fans.

Rating:
Summary: Decent sci-fi movie
Review: I found "First Man into Space" to be a decent sci-fi movie. The story is a little dull at times, but the actors are well cast, and the movie has good suspense. It's nothing great, but worth at least one viewing for 1950's sci-fi fans.

Rating:
Summary: A must see for any sci-fi fan
Review: I just read Doug's review of "First Man into Space" and I just had to write respond. I was seven years old when I saw this movie. As I recall (though my recollection here may be faulty), it was double-billed with "Tom Thumb." One of my good friends had a birthday party and we all went to the movies. "First Man into Space" scared the bejeezus out of us. We were so scared we couldn't stop crying. They had to take us out of the movie in the middle--sometime after the car was pulled over by the state trooper. I thus never saw its conclusion. A few years ago I found the video of the movie and I triumphantly brought it home to show to my teenagers. Needless to say, they made fun of me throughout the movie: "Dad, you were scared by this?!" :-)

Rating:
Summary: It scared me too--42 years ago!
Review: I just read Doug's review of "First Man into Space" and I just had to write respond. I was seven years old when I saw this movie. As I recall (though my recollection here may be faulty), it was double-billed with "Tom Thumb." One of my good friends had a birthday party and we all went to the movies. "First Man into Space" scared the bejeezus out of us. We were so scared we couldn't stop crying. They had to take us out of the movie in the middle--sometime after the car was pulled over by the state trooper. I thus never saw its conclusion. A few years ago I found the video of the movie and I triumphantly brought it home to show to my teenagers. Needless to say, they made fun of me throughout the movie: "Dad, you were scared by this?!" :-)

Rating:
Summary: You'll be surprised!
Review: I rented this movie with low expectations. It looked like the typical Z-grade movie that, if it were not for Mystery Science Theater 3000, would be a chore to watch.

Boy, was I wrong!

While the picture was obviously made on a low budget, it comes off much better than you'd think. The special effects are surprisingly good, especially the scenes of the experimental rocket in flight.

There is some interesting stock footage of planes from the X-1 era, being launched from bombers (which at the time was how they thought they'd do rocketry).

I kept wondering when the picture would start to go bad, but it kept my interest throughout. Low budget 50's sci-fi, but a real gem!

Rating:
Summary: A movie I will never forget.
Review: I saw this movie when I was 8 years old. It was a double feature with "Old Yeller". I never had seen any scary movies before. Like some of the other reviewers, this movie scared the crap out of me. I had nightmares for several weeks and refused to walk alone down the long dark hallway to our bathroom at night. After all these years, the memory of what the monster looked like is still fresh. Now that I have seen the whole movie again, it was fun to relive all the chills it gave me so long ago.

Rating:
Summary: First Man Into Space DVD
Review: Image Entertainment's DVD release of the 1958 science fiction film FIRST MAN INTO SPACE is typical of the company's releases of similar features. The disc's only extras are its scene access menu and a theatrical trailer.

FIRST MAN INTO SPACE is the story of a young, tenacious fighter pilot who, as the title suggests, wants to be the first man into space. His brother, who is also his commanding officer, tries to keep him in line. After a slow-paced 30 minutes, the fighter pilot crash-lands on Earth after successfully flying 250 miles up into the outer limits. He has been changed into the monster wearing a baggy rubber suit you see on the cover.

Fans of cheesy, late night horror movies will find this movie somewhat fun. It does have a "Mystery Science Theater 3000" feel to it. There are, however, much better films from the 1950s that are cheesier. This one just doesn't have the feel and the pace of those bad B-movies that fans like to watch again and again. FIRST MAN INTO SPACE is okay but not great. Consider carefully whether you'll get your money's worth from this DVD (the running time is 78 minutes including the trailer).

Rating:
Summary: GREAT FILM HAMPERED BY WEAK ENDING.
Review: Let me first say,if not for the last ten minutes of this film I would have given this movie a five star rating and proclaimed it one of the all-time classics of 50's sci-fi.But because of poor execution in the finaly I am unable to give it my highest recommendation.

As for the rest of the picture,I was thoroughly pleased.From the cast to the spfx,it was apparent that the film-makers were doing there best to make a good film.

The cast is lead by Marshall Thompson;a veteran of 50's sci-fi;and other than a few moments of "gee whiz" delivery he turns in one of his best on-screen performances.The rest of the cast is solid as well.From the leads to the bit parts,everyone was adequate or better.

The spfx were effective and superior to what you would normally expect from this type of film.Also,the stock footage was seamlessly blended into the movie.As for the monster,it was actually very effective looking in the night time scenes.The first time you get a look at it coming through the bushes I was very impressed.Unfortanetly,it isnt nearly as frightening in the well-lit scenes.And who told the guy in the monster suit to walk around like he had ... in his pants?

Which brings me to the reason the ending disappointed me so much.In an effort to place their film above the pack,the movie makers attempted a more thoughtful ending rather than the typical "destroy the monster" ending.It just doesnt work because the monster looks so cheezy in the well-lit room its hard to forget your just seeing some actor in a rubber suit.Its also difficult to feel sorry for someone who killed so many innocent people,despite the extenuating circumstances.

Even though the ending was such a let down I still think this would be a solid addition to anyones sci-fi collection. ...you'll definetly be getting your moneys worth.