Rating: 
Summary: Gibbs!
Review: A famous American celebrity residing in the UK recently lamented the perfidy of the British worker after getting the builders in. Looking out the window at some builders doing up a shop across the street, I observe two men sitting drinking tea and one reading a paper. It was ever thus, as depicted in this film. The brilliant, if mercurial Professor Cavor pleads with his workers to watch the boiler harbouring his latest scientific discovery and they shrug off-handedly, engrossed as they are in a game of checkers. Needless to say the boiler explodes. It was America, of course, that inevitably boasted the first men on the moon. The afore-mentioned scene is no doubt played as a counterpoint to the Selenites moon colony which has a novel way of dealing with the likes of their own Gibbs, which is to freeze him until his nuisance value is needed. Cavor finds this equitable, and there's little doubt that the concept was close to H.G.Wells sensibilities as well, despite the film maker's insistance on a humanitarian counterpoint to the film's facist harshness with a multi-national moon landing crew at the film's beginning. Unfortunately, in the real world the American celebrity was forced to eat humble pie in order to get the house finished.
FMITM suffers from some narrative problems in it's second half due to the fact that it mostly revolves around the reactive. "Look over there!" -"Run from that!" Etc. It is a curiously perverse film because it starts off rather like 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and progressively darkens to the point of being almost repugnant, what with Cavor beaten up by an inexplicably contemptuous Bedford. The ending is frankly disturbing, too. Not family entertainment by any means, but then scriptwriter Nigel Kneale was morbid and pessimistic in his own work, not usually satisfied until his cast are lying prostrate like the denounement of 'Hamlet'.
My favourite bit overall is when Cavor tells Bedford that Cavorite is a secret. "Will you tell me, then?" He is asked. "Yes. Yes, I will tell you" he replies in that endearing manner unique to Lionel Jeffries. An offbeat, but unique and largely forgotten film which is worth searching out.
Rating: 
Summary: Two for One
Review: An entertaining rendition of the H.G. Wells book. A little slow in the beginning with the courting of two lovers, but overall good family entertainment. It soon moves along and has some funny scenes with the professor and nice special effects done by Ray Harryhausen on the moon and with its inhabitants. The restoration of this classic is beautifully done and the sound is exceptional. Since this includes the "The Harryhausen Chronicles" which is sold on DVD for better than half the price of this one DVD it is a bargain. Get it, you won't be disappointed unless you detest science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: It could have been a good film
Review: As a kid, I watched this film several times, and I still occasionally get an urge to watch it. The story is about a small group of people who go to the moon, thinking they are the first to do so, but they find evidence to the contrary there. When they get back, they put the pieces of the puzzle together, and get the story of the real first trip to the moon from the lone survivor (if memory serves me right) from that first trip.Ray Harryhausen's special effects were state-of-the-art at the time. The special effects were like peanuts: you loved them but they made you want more (my apologies to those of you with peanut allergies; please substitute "chocolate" or "donuts" in my simile). The story is coherent and well-told, although there was too much comic relief ...although excessive comic relief was frequently found in science fiction movies back then. It still happens today, as in the terrible translation of "Starship Troopers" from novel to film. Back then, this country was in the midst of the Cold War, and I think film-makers worried about scaring people too much (a la the radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds"), so they inserted unnecessary comedy. Anyway, I liked this movie as a kid, and your kids will probably like it too, although they're spoiled now by hyper-realistic special effects and excessive action. Buy it or rent it, and have a ball. Adults might find it too cartoonish, as I did when I saw it again recently.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible beyond comprehension
Review: British jingoism. Historically inaccurate to Wells and to everything else. Terrible acting and laugable script adaptation. One of the worst films I have ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Long time favorite finally on DVD!
Review: For many years, this hard-to-come-by gem was only available in crummy full-screen video transfers or chopped up Saturday movie-of-the-week presentations. What a joy to see this film on DVD, in all of it's widescreen and "Lunacolor" splendor! The transfer is really spectactular. In fact, everything is very well done (dare I say, "Imperial!"). Lionel Jeffries steals the show as the befuddled scientist Cavor, although we all know that Ray Harryhausen's effects are the real star of the picture. I love the Victorian moonship (S.S. Dolphin), and the pointy yellow Moon mountains, which are pure 1950's. The Moon creatures are surprisingly well-handled also, and for the most part, the picture more or less follows the book. Fans of the 70's British sci-fi television classic "Space: 1999" will instantly recognize the "creaky door" sound effect that plays when the Moon assistants are "frozen" until needed. The irony here is that the TV series takes place... on the Moon! The disc has two main extra bonus features; a promotional short for Harryhausen's "Dynamation" technique, and an hour-long documentary on Harryhausen's life and career. The documentary, narrated by Leonard Nimoy, has been featured on the American Movie Classics "Real to Reel" series, and is very, very well made. The Master is extensively interviewed, and many of his models displayed during the interviews. He discusses behind-the-scenes moments, how certain models were made, his signature "skeleton warriors", and other insightful and informative things. This bonus is a real prize for Harryhausen fans (which is all of us, I think). Now, I am not the world's biggest fan of Tom Hanks, but included here is a clip with one of the best Oscar night lines ever, this one from the 1992 Oscar Ceremonies when Harryhausen was given his lifetime achievement award. Said Hanks after the award was given, "Some people say 'Casablanca', or 'Citizen Kane'. I say 'Jason and the Argonauts' is the greatest film ever made!" I can't really agree, but I loved the sentiment. This is a very nice disc, with a classic sci-fi thriller and excellent bonus matierials, so buy it and don't delay. If you've never seen "First Men in the Moon", I envy you; you're in for a real treat!
Rating:
Summary: Wells would be proud!
Review: For some reason films with Harryhausen's effects are remembered more for them than they are for the director that helmed them. This adaptation of the Wells novel, directed by Nathan Juran (who had also helmed "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad") is "lighter" than others of Harryhausen's works in that it relies more on the wonder of space exploration and "what might lurk beyond" than it does monsters and other creations of the imagination. Granted, there are some notable wizardries (the "moon calf" and the Selenites, especially the ruler), but the film benefits from performances by the three principle actors: Lionel Jeffries as the absent-minded "Mr. Cavor", inventor of a solution that enables the trek to the moon, Edward Judd as a penniless playwright that sees the journey as a means to a prosperous future, and Martha Hyer as Judd's fiance' "Kate". The actors make the unbelievable quite believable. Wonderful set pieces, from an English cottage/laboratory to the eerie yet picturesque moon caverns, are just the right touch for this science fiction fantasy. Laurie Johnson's score runs the gamut from whimsical (Mr. Cavor's theme) to romantic (the theme for the lovers) to thrilling (the scenes on the moon, especially the confrontation between Mr. Cavor and the Selenite ruler). Harryhausen has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers and "First Men in the Moon" is a prime example of his greatness.
Rating:
Summary: Wells would be proud!
Review: For some reason films with Harryhausen's effects are remembered more for them than they are for the director that helmed them. This adaptation of the Wells novel, directed by Nathan Juran (who had also helmed "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad") is "lighter" than others of Harryhausen's works in that it relies more on the wonder of space exploration and "what might lurk beyond" than it does monsters and other creations of the imagination. Granted, there are some notable wizardries (the "moon calf" and the Selenites, especially the ruler), but the film benefits from performances by the three principle actors: Lionel Jeffries as the absent-minded "Mr. Cavor", inventor of a solution that enables the trek to the moon, Edward Judd as a penniless playwright that sees the journey as a means to a prosperous future, and Martha Hyer as Judd's fiance' "Kate". The actors make the unbelievable quite believable. Wonderful set pieces, from an English cottage/laboratory to the eerie yet picturesque moon caverns, are just the right touch for this science fiction fantasy. Laurie Johnson's score runs the gamut from whimsical (Mr. Cavor's theme) to romantic (the theme for the lovers) to thrilling (the scenes on the moon, especially the confrontation between Mr. Cavor and the Selenite ruler). Harryhausen has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers and "First Men in the Moon" is a prime example of his greatness.
Rating:
Summary: A must for everyone!!!
Review: H.G. Wells' First Men in the Moon is one of the best sci-fi films for any person whose imagination runs wild with the simplest idea to put men on another planet and for those who love movies of creatures, aliens, or monsters. This film happens to be a treasure for me. Any parents whose children like to be entertained with good stories should get this film. I enjoyed it when I was a child and I still enjoy it as an adult. If you liked "the day Earth stood still," "when worlds collide," etc then this is a must buy for you.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully old-fashioned adventure retains its charm
Review: Having struck box office gold with such movies as 'Mysterious Island' and 'Jason And The Argonauts' producer Charles H. Schneer teamed up once again with special effects maestro Harryhausen to adapt one of Harryhausen's favorite tales H.G. Wells's "First Men In The Moon". This is probably the most atypical of Harryhausen's efforts to bring such wondrous flights of fantasy to the big screen. The screenplay by Nigel Kneale - and rewritten by Jan Reed - joyously blends humor and excitement and takes a few welcome pokes at the scientific suppositions and idealism of a more innocent era. Nathan Juran, a veteran director of earlier genre films, expertly interweaves the performances with the action onscreen maintaining a sophisticated nature, never allowing slapstick or humor to overwhelm the suspense. Speaking of performances the three lead actors all fit their roles superbly with Lionel Jefferies an especially memorable crackpot inventor.
An international expedition to the moon uncovers evidence of a British flag and summons claiming the earth's moon for Queen Victoria. An investigation leads authorities to an elderly gentleman living in a nursing home. The old man's stories of having visited the moon have always been ignored in the past; the investigators however encourage him to share his tale once more which he gladly does. In 1899 Victorian England erstwhile playwright (and con-man) Arnold Bedford lives in an isolated cottage with his blissfully unaware American fiancée Kate Callendar where he is attempting to avoid his creditors. Through extraordinary circumstances Bedford becomes the partner of his neighbor, an eccentric inventor named Cavor. Cavor has invented a substance that repels the force of gravity allowing objects to float freely. The substance is dubbed 'Cavorite' and Bedford sees a way to financial freedom. Cavor however talks the young man into joining him on an expedition to the moon, showing Bedford a sphere he has been building for several years in lieu of his perfecting the formula. Reluctantly Bedford agrees and the two of them prepare to "blast-off" - at the last minute being joined by Kate who angrily confronts her fiancé after learning of one of his slightly larcenous cons. The sphere manages to leave the earth's orbit and after narrowly avoiding a disastrous collision with the sun lands on the moon's surface. The two men leave the sphere to explore the moon where they soon discover a race of beings (dubbed Selenites) and quickly run afoul of them. Returning to the craft they see that it has been dragged from its landing site into a cavern. Upon entering they are swept up into battle with both the Selenites and a particularly menacing gigantic moon creature. While Cavor diverts the moon inhabitants with attempts to make peaceful negotiations with the Selenites' leader Bedford and Kate piece the craft back together hoping that the trio can make an escape. But of course typical human blundering and the Selenites distrust make an escape less and less of a possibility.
Like many of the other reviewers here I first saw this as a wide-eyed child and I was swept easily away by the fantastic visual effects of Ray Harryhausen. Seeing it once again after many, many years I was still entertained by the always terrific visual delights provided by the master. The ant-like humanoid Selenites are just grotesque enough to be both frightening and intimidating; the colossal 'moon-calf' still remains impressive after all this time; the crystalline caverns are set designs borrowed (liberated?) from earlier films like 'Journey To The Center Of The Earth' and work just as effectively here; the grand architecture of the subterranean city and the few glimpses provided of their unusual technology makes for great eye-candy; Kate's examination by the Selenites is quintessential Harryhausen; the blast-off of the sphere through the moon cavern and Cavor confronting the Grand Lunar, leader of the moon's inhabitants are also noteworthy. But throughout it all director Juran gets great performances to match the marvelous effects. Jefferies is a bit heavy-handed at times as obsessed and scatterbrained Dr. Joseph Cavor but that's the price this movie pays willingly for being a family film. Edward Judd (star of the terrific 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire') is splendid as the would-be playwright Arnold Bedford who has a slight bit of well-meaning avarice in his blood. Martha Hyer as Kate Callendar is gorgeous and lovely to look at but sadly gets precious little to do, mainly providing a couple of extraneous damsel-in-distress scenes for the two men to rescue her from once they reach the moon. The music score is exceptional and ranks as one of the best written for a science fiction film from this decade. The period flavor is dead-on perfect and the color schemes utilized are consistently an eyeful.
If you enjoyed 'First Men In The Moon' as a child then you'll want to add this DVD to your collection. And besides being just a 'baby-boomer' favorite it is the perfect time-filler for young children who will watch with the same wide-eyed look we did way back then.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not great
Review: Heres a movie that you have to be patient with. A slow starter but a good story. Fun but not fantastic. The DVD quality was very good.
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