“When production on Destination Moon began in 1949, everything about the project was state of the art. The great science fiction author Robert Heinlein co-wrote the script (based on his novel Rocketship Galileo) and served as technical adviser. The film’s astronomical visions were realized by Chesley Bonestell, whose artwork virtually defined the look of space travel at the dawn of the rocket era. Destination Moon is even noted in NASA’s official timeline of space-travel history, and almost inevitably won the Academy Award for Best Special Effects. It remains a milestone film, not so much as classic science fiction but–like 2001: A Space Odyssey 18 years later, as an attempt to visualize the reality of space exploration. (To educate the audience on this topic, Woody Woodpecker makes an animated guest appearance, hosting an instructional film on the basics of rocketeering.)
The movie now seems quaintly nostalgic, and its depiction of man’s first lunar landing is inaccurate on several details. Taken in context, however, it remains impressively authentic, and conveys the same charm and wonder of the later classic Forbidden Planet. The motivation for the lunar conquest remains military: the country that controls the moon will control the Earth, and cold war paranoia fuels the mission of the rocket ship Luna, which blasts off from the Mojave Desert carrying four daring astronauts.
The stalwart crew consists of noted scientists and engineers, but Everyman Joe Sweeney (Dick Wesson) is aboard for broad audience appeal; he’s the kind of Bronx-born guy who pronounces “Earth” as “oith” and complains that the moon has “no beer, no babes, no baseball.” But when a payload crisis threatens the crew’s safe return to Earth, Joe rises to the occasion. It’s all a bit goofy now, but Destination Moon is still a wonderful movie, bursting with the awe and enthusiasm that would eventually lead to “one giant leap for mankind.” –Jeff Shannon
|
Robert Heinlein was one of my favorite authors as I grew up. I liked his no-nonsense approach to Science Fiction. So when I saw that he was not only the author of the original story, but the technical adviser on the movie itself I knew this would be one I had to see. The story involves the decision for America to build a rocket capable of reaching the moon – and doing it before Russia does. A private businessman finances the expedition where American astronauts are to fly to the moon and establish a base, claiming the moon as American territory. But problems arise and they are not certain they have enough fuel to return to Earth. Drastic steps and heroic measures ensue. For its era, Destination Moon is a well written and scientifically solid story with great special effects. If you like Classic Sci-Fi movies, this is definitely one to watch. Amazon has it available on DVD and Instant Video. Here is the movie trailer: |
Do you think humans will ever colonize the moon? If so, would you expect the purpose to be mainly military, scientific, manufacturing, or tourism? One thing we do know…there will be pizza!
One thought on “Movie Review: Destination Moon”
Comments are closed.