Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThis Island Earth (1955)
Director: Joseph Newman
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Let down by variable acting and less evocative in theme than Forbidden Planet (the plot has aliens shanghai-ing two human scientists - male and female by happy coincidence - to help save their doomed planet), but still done with a grandiose solemnity that makes it worthy of the name of space opera. The settings, in particular, are brilliantly imaginative, with superb use of colour in conjuring the almost surrealistic landscape of Metaluna, a cratered wasteland concealing the labyrinthine underground city soon to be overrun by a hideous race of insect-like mutants with exposed brains and dead eyes, originally bred by the Metalunians for menial work.Author: TM
User reviews of this film
-
- Vaughan Hill said...
- Posted on Aug 24 2008 23:36 The Time Out review fails to record that This Island Earth is definately an all time sci fi classic. I was especially pleased to get it on DVD recently from USA. It is wonderfully atmospheric and stands repeated viewing.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Joseph Newman
Producer: William Alland
Cast: Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, Rex Reason, Lance Fuller, Russell Johnson, Douglas Spencer full cast
Genre(s): Science Fiction
Duration: 86 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now