5.0 out of 5 stars "My God; A Voice From Mars!" :)

".F.F.E. · September 23, 2007

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Okay, well-I guess it's my turn to add a few notes to those that have already reviewed the Criterion Collection's DVD Version of Byron Haskin's "Robinson Crusoe On Mars."From the DVD Notes: "Robinson Crusoe on Mars is presented in its original Techniscope aspect ratio of 2.35:1. (And formated for 16X9 TV's too.) This new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Rank-Cintel Spirit 4K Datacine from the 35mm 2-perforation A/B interpositive struck from the original negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System. To maintain optimal image quality through the compression process, the picture on this dual-layer DVD-9 was encoded at the highest-possible bit rate for the quantity of material included."Boy, Is it ever!I remember seeing this movie as a kid 'many moons' ago in a theatre, and I can tell you that in some instances, it is even better than I remember it. The colors and contrast/brightness of the film are 'spot-on', and of course, you can even discern a little film grain when the visual EFX are added, but it doesn't detract from the film itself.As far as that part goes, it's *Absolutely Wonderful!*As a side note, maybe the reason why the Criterion Collection hasn't committed to putting anything on High-Definition DVD's is because there is a format war still in progress, (I'm routing for the 'Blu-Ray' Camp, because the format can hold more information then HD-DVD, and therefore more extras.), but the good thing is that they already have the movies ready when the smoke clears, so I'm waiting right now....As a matter of fact, Stanley Kubrick's classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" should be coming to Blu-Ray sometime fairly soon....so....My only gripes about 'Robinson Crusoe On Mars' are a few small ones, and they are:1: As I can recall from the few times that I had seen the movie on TV, and when I saw the movie in the theaters, there was a version that had a anamorphic border on the top and bottom of the screen that consisted of artwork such as the space station from 'Conquest Of Space', a delta-winged spaceship, some various rockets, and a deep sky blue background with stars. For some reason on the new transfer of the film, this film element was omitted, but now that I think about it--it isn't *exactly vital that it should be there,* It just seems a little odd to me that it is missing....2: (From the DVD Notes): "The soundtrack was mastered at 24 bit (Better then Compact Disk Audio Quality.) from a 35mil. magnetic full coat (That's the entire surface of the film.) three track master, and audio restoration restoration tools were used to reduce pops, hiss, and crackle."That would mean the three track sound rundown would be something like this:1: Dialogue2: Sound EFX3: MusicSo-what I'm getting at is--why didn't Criterion have Van Cleave's fantastic music score for the film on a *isolated* track? Sort of what Fox did for Jerry Goldsmith's score for 'Alien' on the DVD Box set. Even Paul Mantee mentions the music score at one time during the commentary track.They missed out on that one....Then to others that have put notes here:R. Monteith: I agree about the cover art....it was more then a bit confusing when I saw it for the first time. Like you mentioned, I would have expected the artwork from the poster art from the film, or at the very least a montage of images taken from the movie like Paul Mantee in a close up wearing his suit-helmet, or Vic Lundin as 'Friday' when we see him for the first time. (Shrugs) I don't get it....Anyway, I could have got the original 12 inch Laserdisc version had I had a player at the time, and bought the disk when it came out, but by that time, well--it sold out already, was getting to costly....the DVD was coming into it's own, and so I waited....To Deaftom: Yes, there is a closed captioned track available....I was watching the movie with it on the other day while listening to the commentary track.In Closing: All things considered however, 'Robinson Crusoe On Mars is (Still) one of my favorites (I'll go as far to typing that it's perhaps one of my 'guilty pleasures' sort of movies.), and to those that have never seen the movie before, you are in for a real treat! Okay, so the information that we had about the surface of Mars at the time is more then a little dated--remember this is back in 1964, but the underlying theme of the movie is still valid today.Buy it 'tho...you'll like it. :)

5.0 out of 5 stars A review of the Blu-Ray version...with some comments on the film

W. · January 30, 2011

I am writing this review to tell everyone just how good this film looks on Blu-Ray. As far as I can see today, there are no other reviews here for the Blu-Ray version of the film (I saw just one review from a guy who seems to think the aspect ratio on Blu-Ray is wrong....it's not....in fact it looks more accurate than the DVD in terms of the anamorphic transfer).Before I give a few details, I feel I have to say that I just love this film. The 5-star rating is for the film. I also give the Blu-Ray top marks (4+) considering the source material. I have enjoyed this movie since I was a kid and saw it on TV in the late 1960s and 70s. So, naturally, I have a rather soft spot in my heart for the film itself. The day I found it on LaserDisc (about 1990 I think) was a happy day indeed. I bought the DVD when it was released a few years and I was happy with it, too. The Criterion material is almost the same on each three versions (not exactly the same, but I won't recount the details here because if you want to see this move in all its glory, then you will want the Blu-Ray regardless of its lack of a few extras that were on the LaserDisc).The really good news is that this film has never looked so good! I bet it even looks better than it did when it was projected in theatres over 47 years ago. Yes, the film stock is a bit grainy (just as it was in the DVD format) due to the film stock used in 1963. The picture is much clearer, brighter, and has far better color fidelity than the DVD. The transfer of this old film onto this modern high-resolution format (1080p/24) is rather amazing, I must say. I will even admit that seeing it look this good brought a lump to my throat when I thought of all the times I watched it on a small black and white TV.I compared the Blu-Ray to the DVD using a Playstation3. The exceptional transfer to Blu-Ray does mean that you can see the small flaws in the optical effects (for example when the fireballs move across the screen or when the character "watches" movies of how to find water on another planet or when he's taking a swim in the underground pool Mona finds). That's a small price to pay, so to speak, for the wonderful look of the rest of the film. The skyline views of Mars are just magnificent--the dark, starry sky against the reddish atmosphere, the daytime shots....wow, in Blu-Ray the film's many wonderful vista shots are almost breathtaking. I know, I know. I sound breathless. I am. Bringing this movie to Blu-Ray so soon after the long-awaited DVD release is a real gift and, I think, a wonderful tribute to this wonderful old film. Of course, the price of both the DVD and Blu-Ray are high (they are, after all, Criterion products). But, if you're a fan of films like this one, you know the high price is justified. If you own the DVD version, buying the Blu-Ray will not be money wasted.I will also mention that I own a high-end 60-inch rear projection set (Sony's KDS series which is no longer made) and a high-end 52-inch LCD set (Sony's XBR9 series). The film actually looks best on my projection set, but then I'm partial to most films on it rather than on LCD. Oh, and if anyone does review this Blu-Ray and tries to assert that it's not that much better than the DVD, then you can be sure he/she has an inferior TV that is incapable of showing the difference between the two (oh, if I had a nickel for every such review I have read on Bolo I'd be able to buy copies of this Blu-Ray dics for all my friends!).In summary, if you are wondering whether to buy this film on Blu-Ray, I say the answer is YES. Buy it. Enjoy it. Show it to your family, friends, even the whole neighborhood. There's so much crap being produced nowadays (i.e., repetitive special effects instead of a good story or poor remakes or "reimaginings" like "The Day the Earth Stood Still"). I think it's refreshing to watch a good, old movie that was a valid, even valiant, effort to be a "scientifically-accurate" (with what was known about Mars at the time) adventure tale that was at least loosely based on the famous Dafoe novel. (I do like that "Friday" in this version comes from a more-advanced technology, not a less-advanced one like the novel.)Oh, and if you want to buy--or even borrow--my LaserDisc, it's not for sale or to lend. <grin>If you found this review to be helpful, or even amusing, please leave a comment. Thanks.

Movie

R. · September 10, 2024

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UM FILME A VER!

R.P.M. · October 14, 2021

é uma excelente adaptação do livro original de 1719 e uma aventura a partilhar entre pais e filhos e com lições de sobrevivência e perseverança. é também um bom paradigma da amizade possível e de comunicação entre povos de nações diferentes... certamente o conto que inspirou o livro "Enemy Mine" e mais tarde a sua adaptação para cinema. para os amantes de ficção científica é um filme a não perder.. efeitos especiais muito audazes para a época. o mesmo dispositivo deste filme de como se respira em marte foi usado no filme RED PLANET : ) é um marco histórico incontornável na ficção científica.

I love the movie !

M.B. · December 30, 2024

I have it to watch when I want to now !!!

素晴らしい特撮映像

A.カ. · October 20, 2020

50年前の作品にも関わらず特撮技術SFXの素晴らしさ当時の火星に関する情報は現代ほど無かったにも関わらず、いろいろなアイデア満載で飽きさせない内容になっている。最初の火星着陸のシーンで周回軌道に乗らずいきなり着陸するとはかなり無謀なやり方だが（笑）火星の表面が情報がほとんどない(火星探査機はまだ行ってない当時)状況ではこの映画の荒々しい起伏の多い火星面、は仕方ないかと。火山があったり湖があったりはたまた適度に空気があったり(かなり薄い大気だが)回転する火の玉は生命体か？バイロンハスキン監督の映画宇宙戦争に登場したUFOが登場する。こちらは宇宙戦争の緩慢な動きのUFOと違って、非常に素早い動きで光線を発射してあたり一面が光るシーンも見事かと奴隷の宇宙人が地球人にそっくりなのは宇宙人情報のある現代ではむしろ普通かと東宝映画なら怪獣でも出すのだろうね（笑）石が火に当たると酸素を発生するとはなんと素晴らしいアイデアだろうかしかし火星着陸の原因になった隕石はやたらに飛んでくるちょっと登場し過ぎるけど･････当時はほとんど情報無かったからエンターテイメント性を持たせたのだろうねいまみても全く遜色のないSF映画なのは間違いないです

Ein Science Fiction Klassiker - wohl nicht mehr im Fernsehen zu sehen

K. · March 14, 2012

Die zwei Astronauten Draper und MacReady umkreisen den Mars, um wissenschaftliche Experimente zu machen. Mit an Bord ist das Äffchen "Mona". Als ein Meteor dem Raumschiff bedrohlich nahe kommt, müssen die Astronauten mit Raumkapseln auf dem Mars landen. Nur Draper überlebt die Landung und muss mit Mona in dieser feindlichen Umgebung alleine klar kommen. Schnell aber lernt Draper sich Sauerstoff, Nahrung und Wasser zu beschaffen (wohl ein bisschen mit der Hilfe von "Mona"), um zu überleben. Aber die Isolation macht Draper immer mehr zu schaffen. Doch dann macht Draper eine unheimliche Entdeckung auf dem Mars.Ein Science Fiction Klassiker der 1960ger Jahre, der das Thema von Daniel Defoe von einer einsamen Insel auf den roten Planeten verlegt. Die Handlung ist natürlich vorhersehbar, aber auf dem Mars kommen da einige neue Ideen in die Geschichte. Die Tricks sind natürlich entsprechend der Zeit von damals, aber als Klassiker immer wieder gern zu sehen.Ein Film, den man heutzutage nicht mehr im Fernsehen findet, wohl nur noch auf DVD. Die Filmlaufzeit beträgt 105 Minuten, man kann zwischen der englischen und deutschen Sprachfassung wählen, wobei im Deutschen ein paar Stellen nachsynchronisiert wurden.Der Film galt ja damals im Zuge der Raumfahrt zwischen Ost und West als "Ein Schritt von der Zukunft entfernt". Im Bonusmenü ist deshalb noch ein zwanzig Minuten langer Beitrag über die Geschichte und Zukunft des Mars eingefügt.Wenn man diesen Film nochmals im Fernsehen sehen würde, dann steht in der Fernsehzeitung "Klassiker-Tipp" oder "Nacht-Tipp", weil solche Filme dann eher um 2 Uhr Nachts kommen, weil um 22.00 Uhr z.B. die Casting-Shows kommen!