MovieChat Forums > This Island Earth (1955) Discussion > I hate this movie

I hate this movie

posted 22 years ago by blakewinters
32 replies | jump to latest

Mostly because I actually have to write a paper about it for a class.

[–] Dejael 22 years ago

Why? Imagine you're a kid or a teenager of the 1950s, like Marty McFly in 1955 Hill Valley of BTTF (1985) and THIS ISLAND EARTH comes to the local theater.
The only thing you've seen is some low-budget black & white sci-fi B-movies that are either really good (The THING, DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL) or really crappy (KILLERS FROM SPACE, CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON) and have only seen small-screen (we're talking 19" or smaller screens) black & white TV shows like SPACE PATROL and ROCKY JONES, SPACE RANGER.
The first thing you notice is the Universal world globe opening title is in beautiful Technicolor! Then an intriguing story about a scientist who receives micro-miniature electronic parts that were still in the future when the movie was made, and over 2,000 parts in wooden crates of a fantastic two-way TV set with a triangular screen made by friendly but aloof aliens.
The scientist is sufficiently impressed with this advanced technology to go to a private meeting with the aliens who have shown no hostile intent.
What follows is nearly an hour of mind-blowing colorful visual effects which are incredibly complex for the mid-1950s, and one of the most original movie monsters ever created - the Metaluna Mutant.

Dejael

[–] blakewinters 22 years ago

Why? Did you not read my post? Because I have to write a paper about it for a class! A movie is automatically ruined for you when your first viewing of it is analytical, knowing you have to write a 5 page paper about it. I wasn't able to imagine myself as a 1950s teenager, totally "wowed" by what I was seeing on screen. I popped the movie into the VCR and, as I was watching it, had to formulate in my head what I was going to write about. Actually, I wrote that post as I was writing my paper. It was how I was feeling at the time. It was late. I was writing this dumb paper, and, at that time, I truely hated the film. If it will make you feel better, I take it back. I do not HATE the film. I do have some respect for it. For its time it is quite original and one of the better 1950s sci-fi movies.

[–] mdangelo-1 22 years ago

What grade did you receive on your paper? Why don't you post your paper here so we can all enjoy it?

P.S. I think those two actors on "The Gilmore Girls" are from Metaluna.

[–] Dr_B_Banzai 21 years ago

well, i never Metaluna i didn't like
.....sorry, i'll go now
::runs away::

[–] dude_guy99 20 years ago

i agree
this movie was reeeeeeaaaaaaly screwed up
plus i hated those big head A$$holes

[–] padfoot374 20 years ago

shh they will hear you. LOL ehh this movie sucked alltogether I mean they got back to earth and they were safe? so whats happens next? well I guess I'm only saying this because i saw the Mystery Sciencer Theatre version

[–] zowiewoahie 20 years ago

Brak Brak Brak! Oh this movie made run to the bathroom so many time to avoid peeing my pants. While I respect the origional for...I dunno, bad sci fi move of the 50's quality...I LOVE the MST3K version for making my life a little brighter.

normal view, normal view, NORMAL VIEWWWWWWWWWWW!

[–] magiemay 20 years ago

HAhaha this movie was soooooo crappy. Just goes to remind you that not all old movies are classics. They made some bad ones back then too.

[–] Pot_Muffler 19 years ago

YES! The MST3K version kicks @$$.

"This Island Earth can be yours...IF the price is right!"

Zim: I can almost taste the humans being destroyed...it's delicious!

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

You people complain that it sucks, but what's so bad about it?

It's got an interesting and creative story, great special effects that hold up even today, wonderful color cinematography, a rousing score and an excellent cast.

I bet most naysayers have never even seen the film past the MST3k movie which, by the way, butchered it terribly. I'm sure THIS ISLAND EARTH will hold up much more over time than MST3k: the Movie, and for the record I enjoy the TV show.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] kelgadiss 19 years ago

Ok, so it isn't as bad as Jack Frost or "Manos": the Hands of Fate, but its still pretty bad. I guess I could understand how some people could like it, but it's not my type of movie. And yes MST3K butchered it, that's what they do! That's what makes them AMAZING and the movie HILARIOUS! For the time, maybe people liked it. Nowadays, I think people would much prefer to watch people making fun of it than the actual movie.

Oh and one more thing. THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR CHEESE WEDGE!!!

Hey Look! A chicken!

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

I think you missed the point of MST3k as a whole, bud. The idea is not to cut up a film, but to run a commentary track over it. And while the TV show's comments are usually funny and esoteric, the MST3k movie is so dumbed down that it nothing but 80 minutes of poop jokes.

I said it in another thread and I'll say it here. THIS ISLAND EARTH was a hit in its day, and it's been a staple on television and among science fiction fans. Like it or not, it actually does have a logical script (no thanks to the ninnies that cut it up in MST3k) and my guess is that it will outlive MST3k: The Movie, which the last time I checked, was not only a total box office flop, but isn't even on DVD anymore. One has to wonder-- which is the bigger turkey here!?

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

>>But crappy characters that go nowhere and are all cliche's <<

Such as? I certainly see character development, particularly between Cal and Ruth.

>>Yeah the monster looked so real *snicker*<<

Well, it certainly looked like something that you could see on another planet, although I was referring to the spaceship scenes and the miniatures used for the planets.

>>YOu know NOTHING about music do you?????<<

No, I only have written and conducted full symphonic works with a full orchestra. I only do concerts once a week. I know nothing about music.

>>I have but then it was YEARS ago so MAYBE I'll give it another chance someday. I jsut remember I hated it!<<

Perhaps you should before you're so quick to bash it. Maybe when you finish puberty would be a good time to revisit it.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

Dear Iron Goldfish,

The fact that Gramercy didn't put any advertising into MST3k:The Movie over BARB WIRE-- a sadder movie, indeed-- only goes to show how little faith they had in the film the first place. Rightfully so; cult movies, by definition, are usually flops in the BO to begin with and this was destined to be a cult film to begin with.

What are your figures on how many playdates and on what screens the film was playing? I remember when it opened in NY, it played on TWO screens in Manhattan, which is about the play of a low-rate art film. I can't imagine the numbers were much better in LA (I could be wrong, but please proove me so) and these are the two most critical cities in any film's run.

Not onoly was it box office poison, but most critics panned it (aside from Siskel and Ebert, who gave EVERYTHING "two thumbs up"). Even Leonard Maltin gave it an ironic 2 1/2 stars. Yes, he's since upped it to ***, probably because he got on the show.

Look, I've watched the show going back to the days when it was on "The Comedy Channel" (1989, remember *that*?), I was at one point a stouthearted MSTie, but there's no denying that in comparison to the TV show, MST3k: THE MOVIE had more awfully unfunny jokes per minute than an entire episode did. Now, you can blame that on Gramercy, or you can just chalk it up to bad writing... I'd chalk it up to both, personally.

Did THIS ISLAND EARTH *really* deserve to be riffed on? And just because MST3k did it, is it a crappy movie? What about all the qualms that the writers had about doing THIS ISLAND EARTH in the first place?

I like THIS ISLAND EARTH for those who haven't gathered that by now aren't paying attention. I also like MST3k, but I think that because of the fanboy mentality, THIS ISLAND EARTH gets a rough break. A few years ago, there was a screening of the film locally and it took 15 minutes before someone hushed up some unruly MSTies in the front row who thought buying a ticket means you can have a free-for-all.

I feel that it is the same situation here-- if you don't like the movie, that's fine because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, please be respectful of those who actully do enjoy it. If you have a qualm with the movie personally, by all means post about it here-- it can lend to good discussion about the plot. But it's really disturbing to see this turn into the "THIS ISLAND EARTH sucks but I won't tell you why because I have no real justification!" board. If you want to just go on and on about how much the film "sucked", take it over to the MST3k: The Movie board and spare us, please.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] w-burnell 18 years ago

Its always good to hear a voice of reason, once & awhile.Ditto to all the points made about "TIE". After 50yrs. plus it can still be enjoyed.And isn't that still the point? sit back & relax... Theres way to much emphasis being put on scientific reality... & flaws just don't seem to be tolerated at all for older movies. Sci-Fi is short for science - fiction, lets loosen up a bit.Star Wars is one of the most enjoyable movies out there,& its got "sounds" in space!!! & its sequels as well!!. I can still enjoy it .

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BumpyRide 19 years ago

Maybe this movie doesn't like you either!

[–] sonofagun 19 years ago

Problem with this film is the same one that seemingly has always plagued sci-fi films even to this day - most producers and directors seem to regard sci-fi films as being only for a juvenile audience so therefore generally do not put the same care and maturity of effort they do into what they consider more "mature" films. I think this approach is evident in TIE whereas it is not quite so much in films from MGM of the same and subsequent eras (Forbidden Planet, Demon Seed, Coma, and others).

Sci-fi literature on the other hand is generally written for adult readers and therefore rarely is faithfully brought to the screen.

Now if MGM had done TIE instead of Universal Pics...

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

Well, I certainly wouldn't say that Universal cheaped out on THIS ISLAND EARTH or thought nothing of it. If that were so, the film wouldn't have been in color and stereo (Perspecta, anyway) with a great cast.

The film's weakest points is some of its outdated dialogue that seems "cheesy" to audiences today. I truly cannot find anything else that is wrong with it. The special effects rival those of today's CGI cinema, the photography is outstanding, the score is memorable and classic in its own right, the acting is quite good, particularly from the leads, and the story's pacing is brilliant!

No, TIE's biggest fault was being fodder for Mystery Science Theater 3000. There are unfortunately just too many immature fanatics that would rather see the film torn apart than commended for the great piece of science fiction that it actually is.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] sonofagun 19 years ago

I never said they "cheaped out" on the film or others of the same mediocre quality - just that they took what could have been a better film but didn't try very hard to make it work on an adult level - too much cheese and the effects could have been better. Such as the completely hokey scenes of the ship traveling away from Earth - the silly smoke effects. The worse was how Faith Domergue (cool highly educated scientist) completely came apart and also uttered one of the stupidest lines ever - something like - "What's to keep us from bouncing around like ping-pong balls once we get outside Earth's gravity?"
Duhhh - she doesn't know anything about how gravity works or what happens when you travel in a space ship?

I think the best part of the film is in the beginning when they assemble the "Interociter" - which actually is a rather hokey device, but Rex Reason's cool portrayal of a brilliant scientist is very good...his assistant was good too, as well as adding some comic relief.

Acting good? Are you kidding? Rex ain't too bad and Faith is OK at first (but later...???). Jeff Morrow is terribly wooden, Brak and Russel Johnson are throwaways, and what a step down for Douglas Spencer as the Grand Ruler (course, the cheesy set didn't help) from his great role in "The Thing"*.

And such praise as "Outstanding", "Memorable", and "Brilliant"?

"I don't think so, Tim"

*Now THERE'S a movie that was well done!

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

I wasn't saying you said they cheaped out. I was implying that if they honestly didn't care about the production (or thought of it as juvinile schlock) they would have.

I still don't know what you find wrong with the effects, but that's certainly up to opinion. Faith Domergue's question is actually quite scientific, as they never DO explain in most science fiction films such things. It shows that her character has a scientific curiosity.

What's hokey about the interociter?

Jeff Morrow is far from what I'd call wooden. His range is quite good in the film. His conviction of being torn between two worlds is quite apparent. Yes, Douglas Spencer has practically a nothing part, but he's there as a secondary character to advance the plot, and he does his job.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sonofagun 19 years ago

Agree 100% Orpheus.

Silent Photoplayer - you r remarks are so off target, they don't deserve much response.

You obviously have a limited knowledge of orbital and celestial mechanics. Of course 99.99999% of the general pop does.

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

Sorry for backing up my opinion. The last time I checked, this was a fan board for THIS ISLAND EARTH, not pedantic and pointless minutiae.

If there are elements you don't like about the film, why not engage others into some intelligent discussion rather than insulting them because they happen to feel that it's well written? If you just want to blast the film, go over to the MST3K: The Movie board, please.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 19 years ago

I'm stating the facts, friend. If you don't like the truth, take your heat elsewhere. This is a THIS ISLAND EARTH board, NOT an MST3k board. The comments have no place here, particularly when they are flooding it up.

My words are not callous. I was basically affronted by you and the other gentleman for actually LIKING a film and defending on a board based on discussing its merrits.

All you're doing in your post is gaslighting me. I can't back up taste with anything BUT opinions, but you seem to think that backing up opinions as FACT is legitimate. As I see you're a fan of classic sci-fi, I'm surprised that you would let a film such as THIS ISLAND EARTH, that has held up for FIFTY years as a classic in science fiction, fall under the category of "cheesy camp."

Perhaps if people watched the film rather than some robots make doodie jokes over an EDITED version of it, they could appreciate or, at the least, accept it for the piece of craftsmanship of filmmaking that it is.

-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.thephotoplayer.com/

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sonofagun 19 years ago

"Faith Domergue's question is actually quite scientific, as they never DO explain in most science fiction films such things. It shows that her character has a scientific curiosity."

A REAL scientist would know the answer to her question and so wouldn't ask it in the first place!

She would have known that one way to create an artifiical gravity in space is to maintain a constant acceleration. Since she was standing upright in a space ship she would have known that that was the case or that the ship created its own artificial gravity some other way. The better question a scientist would have asked is "Exeter! How is it you are able to simulate the effects of gravity on this ship? And his answer would have been "We are able to create artificial gravity on board this ship by electro-gravitic magnetism" - or some other made up pseudo-scientific term.

[–] stoll48021 18 years ago

You MORONS need to get a LIFE! Your arguing about a pointless matter and must have way TOO MUCH time on your hands!! Haaaaaaaaaaaaa What a bunch of losers. Yes, I know about 50 of you LOW-LIFES will bash me now, but save your PRECIOUS time ok, I dont plan to come back here and even check what you CHILDREN even have to say.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa Looooosers Haaaaaaaaaaa Un-believable