Is Star Trek science fiction? How about Star Wars (all iterations including the obscene)? Most would say yes, but that’s because they don’t know what science fiction is. Science fiction is a literary genre like others. It has a plot with dynamic characters that drive the plot, and undergo some sort of change through the transpiration of the story with just one exception; without the element of science, there is no story. Star Trek was episodic, and within that format, it was difficult to keep that element throughout and remain original all the time. But of course, I’m talking about the original show with Kirk, Spock, and Bones, because trying to reproduce the magic deteriorated with each attempt. So, with all their work and effort Star Trek is only sort of science fiction, what does that make Star Wars; how about scientifically obtuse.
Star Wars is King Arthur in space, and even then, that’s stretching it. It’s a fun movie, but it isn’t even good enough to be considered space opera (a term for regular shows that just have a space setting). And that brings us to this week’s theme. What do you get when you take a tried, tested, and truly compelling drama and add science into the mix; Shakespeare in space? Well not exactly, but you do get Forbidden Planet which is loosely based on The Tempest. Sure it’s sort of a re-make, but it’s also a lot more. But, what’s important here is how science is mixed into the plot in so many ways, making it more than it was without the science.
When it was released, Forbidden Planet was a big step up from almost every Sci-fi movie before it. Even the sound track was evolutionary paving the way for others to put that kind of effort into what was largely considered entertainment for kids. This was the seminal moment when it appeared the efforts by the greats like Asimov would begin getting the treatment they deserved. Well it was not to be. Or lets say it didn’t happen as often as we would like. Asimov never got a huge Hollywood embrace except for in recent years, and even then they took his book title and credited him saying his work was the inspiration for it; so far off the mark they should have said it was in spite of him. So how does this relate to B movies? In all its greatness, Forbidden Planet was a B movie.
They had money, but nothing compared to what other less dynamic productions had. They got what they needed to make a good movie. So what makes it great then? Here comes the science in it; everything is relative (see Einstein for an explanation). There is so much crappy stuff out there, Forbidden Planet looks fantastic. So, we are kind of back where we started. It begs the question, how many other gems are out there that could have been great if they just had a bit more money? We won’t know until we look for them. That’s my job, but it could be yours as well. Let’s see if this one can inspire you.
Director | |
The Main Players | |
Dr. Edward Morbius | |
Altaira (Alta) Morbius | |
Commander J.J. Adams | |
Lt. `Doc` Ostrow M.D. | |
Richard Anderson Hey Steve! That guy looks like Oscar Goldman | Chief Quinn |
Synopsis:
In the 22nd Century, the United Planets Cruiser C57D is one year out of earth heading to Altair 4 seeking the Bellerophon Expedition. Their mission is to find out what happened and determine the fate of the expedition, but instead they find one of the most powerful sources of energy in the galaxy with a madman at the controls. The problem is, that he’s too smart to know he’s mad.
Review:
Most sci-fi movies from the ‘50s featured flying saucers from outer space. Forbidden Planet (FP) is different in that we earthlings are the ones flying the saucers out into space. Commander J.J. Adams and his crew have been dispatched to the Altair system to find out what happened to the Bellerophon Expedition, because they have not been heard from in 20 years. The expedition was a sort of scientific colonization group meant to tame a new world, and pave the way for human expansion further into the galaxy. When they arrive in orbit the self proclaimed lone survivor of the expedition, Doctor Morbius, greats them with a stern warning to leave and not look back. Adams is a, by the book, kind of guy and he has his orders to check things out. Morbius makes it clear there is danger on Altair 4 and he can’t be held responsible for Adams and his crew. It sounds like Morbius is trying to look out for their hides, but you don’t get to be a space saucer commander with out taking a few chances now and then.
Well, they have a cool landing sequence and quickly find out Morbius may not be a poster boy for telling the truth. Morbius sends out his right hand man, none other than the amazing Robby the Robot (RTB). He’s big, he’s black, he’s got lights and flashy things all over, and he set the standard for movie and T.V. robots from then on. But seriously, Robby was unique, because while he had a little bit of personality, he was an essential tool to Morbius and a serious plot device. RTB is a technological wonder, even to Adams and his fellow futuristic men. They are stunned when they hear their host claim he tinkered Robby together in his spare time during his early years on Altair 4. Seems like Morbius has evolved pretty good all by himself. Enter the Tempest.
It doesn’t take long for Adams to start asking about where the rest of the expedition went, and Morbius has to tell of the ferocious hideous beast that came in the night tearing them limb from limb; not to mention, the inexplicable immunity enjoyed by he and his wife. It seems far fetched, and that isn’t lost on the Commander when Morbius also explains how the remaining few decided to leave and go home, and being the only one voting to stay; he got to witness the Bellerophon vaporize just after lift off. Yup, he said vaporize. That means immediate sublimation which is not something you see happen every day. That sounds like some serious power went into sending a serious message. Where does power like that come from?
Altair 4 was not the uninhabited world they had assumed. In fact, long before Morbius and friends arrived it was inhabited by a mighty, and technologically superior, race called the Krell. Adams learns the Krell were incredible, but for some reason they just all disappeared at the same time. Poof, the end of a civilization, but their legacy, an underground system of power generators too large to comprehend remained in perfect working order. An amazing labyrinth of mechanical nuclear wonder generating what seems like unlimited power. But, what was it for, and why does it seem like it was meant to focus that energy for some unknown reason? What would happen if your dreams, better yet, nightmares could be manifested into pure energy. Add to that, the all important part of dreams; you can’t control what you dream about.
In the dead of night, on a planet with two beautiful moons, something mysterious creeps its way into the C57D sabotaging important equipment, and brutally killing a crewman. Adams is perplexed and seeks answers from Morbius, but also decides to question the best looking thing on Altair 4.
Why do supper intelligent and athletic, brave young men volunteer for dangerous missions? Why would they risk their lives travelling across vast distances of space, and into the unknown dangers that lurk beyond? To meet chicks of course! Altaira, Alta for short, is the missing piece to Morbiuses knack of not telling the full story. Alta is his lovely daughter who had grown up in a very secluded and innocent way; it’s like that when you own a planet. Morbius says he’s tutored Alta in inter human relations, but Commander Adams is there for the practical exam. So why is it, the cruel and evil monster of Altair 4 starts showing up when the utopia of Morbius, and the purity of his daughter is threatened? Even the supper intelligent can overlook the evil that dwells within us all.
Lessons Learned:
- American flying saucers are the best.
- Having deep emotional problems are bad, but they are a lot worse when you sport a goatee.
- Having Barbie’s Dream Home and Corvette is spoiled, but having your own planet is something else.
- Even monsters look more evil with a goatee.
Fun Facts:
- FP was made for just under 2 million which was nothing to sneeze at in the ‘50s, but many productions of the decade were made for 4 to 6 million. It qualifies as a B move.
- All filming was done on sound stages including the large scenes featuring the exterior of the C57D. It took up the biggest studio on the MGM lot.
- Robby the Robot was a hit and was featured for many years after FP. In fact, he had a better career than Nielsen until Airplane came along.
- They say there is a remake in the works. I sure hope not. It just wouldn’t be the same with a Rap soundtrack and Robby replaced by a CGI monkey creature that Crumps. Besides, I don’t need to see Commander Adams hold his blaster sideways to look more menacing when he gets in Morbiuses face Bro!
Only the good die young. He'll be missed. wordbone.wordpress.com
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