Forbidden Planet (1956) Full Length Reaction
Added 2025-02-22 01:57:14 +0000 UTCWhat the frig - this movie is so good!! I am blown away by how cool this was!! I totally get why this is an important movie in sci-fi history. Did this just blow everyone's mind when it came out? Are there more 50's sci-fi movie we should check out?
Movie Runtime: 1:38:30
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Great reaction. For another old-timey classic see "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Another fun romp would be to react to the Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) Movie as the gang reacts to (and mocks) This Island Earth. You can't get more Meta than that!
John DiGiantomasso
2025-02-27 05:29:36 +0000 UTCThis is one of those 'timeless' films, Jen, a classic Sci-Fi a reworking of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest's, I think that it still holds up today.
Adam Davis
2025-02-27 02:22:37 +0000 UTCHere’s my list and the number of votes from Jen’s request site. I could have sworn for many of the “need to add” movies that I HAD added them in the past. I’ve noted the same for some other movies in the past. Almost like they just drop off for non-activity. “Rocketship X-M” (1950) need to add “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) 50 votes “When Worlds Collide” (1951) 15 votes “This Island Earth” (1955) need to add “Flight to Mars” (1951) need to add “The Thing From Another World” (1951) 19 votes “The War of the Worlds” (1953) 34 votes “It Came From Beneath The Sea” (1955) 5 votes “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers” (1956) 9 votes “Satellite in the Sky” (1956) need to add “World Without End” (1956) need to add “20 Million Miles To Earth” (1957) added “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) 16 votes “Fiend Without a Face” (1958) Need to add “It! The Terror From Beyond Space” (1958) 4 votes “The Angry Red Planet” (1959) need to add “The Time Machine” (1960) 44 votes “Beyond the Time Barrier” (1960) need to add “X: The Man With The X-Ray Eyes” (1963) added “Robinson Crusoe on Mars” (1964) 5 votes “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) 18 votes
Miles E Coburn
2025-02-25 01:31:05 +0000 UTCClay, she asked for recommendations in the body of this reaction.
Ken Schneyer
2025-02-24 21:35:07 +0000 UTCHave you requested any of those at her movie request site?
Clay F
2025-02-24 21:24:37 +0000 UTCKen, if you would like to see her react to those 50s SF you list, you can request at her movie request site.
Clay F
2025-02-24 21:23:29 +0000 UTCMatt, have you requested Metropolis at her movie request site?
Clay F
2025-02-24 21:21:33 +0000 UTCIt was a mild influence on Star Trek... Mostly because of the special effects.
Carlos Stevens
2025-02-24 05:08:34 +0000 UTCThis is a serious Sci Fi classic movie. From what I remember the special effects was done by Disney Sudios. Before this movie, so called Science Fiction back then was considered something closer to a monster movie... Like The Blob, or Creature From Another Planet. Even though it degenerated into a typical monster movie, this was maybe the first movie that actually put science in a Science Fiction Movie. Science and Special Effects.
Carlos Stevens
2025-02-24 05:07:06 +0000 UTC8,000 cubic miles. 200,000 years. The love story isn't too bad but it is a bit cringe for these days. Still, you have to view each work as a product of its time.
Java Man
2025-02-24 04:27:29 +0000 UTCYou should check out "Metropolis" 1927 that is also very influential for sifi films
Matt
2025-02-24 04:03:06 +0000 UTCI don't doubt it was an influence on Star Trek, but that's not the only connection. If you don't know, the 2nd in command was played by Warren Stevens, who played a villain on a Star Trek episode, "By Any Other Name". You reacted to that one back in November. Around the same time Star Trek TOS was on the air, Anne Francis (the daughter, Altaira) starred on the tv show "Honey West". It was the first tv show to star a female detective/private eye.
Zapp Rowsdower
2025-02-23 05:02:38 +0000 UTCThat is quite a list! I hope she follows it.
thansen
2025-02-22 21:52:24 +0000 UTC...Although, it must be said, neither of them is as carefully conceived, as well written, or as well acted as this one.
Ken Schneyer
2025-02-22 19:34:43 +0000 UTCI agree about The Time Machine, and I separately mentioned Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Ken Schneyer
2025-02-22 19:33:56 +0000 UTCA lovely reaction, J, as always! I agree that the scope of this film is epic, much more ambitious than almost any other science fiction film of that era. (Science fiction *literature* of that era was easily as, or more, ambitious than this, but film required the agreement of studios...) This story is a very close parallel to Shakespeare's "The Tempest": Morbius = Prospero Alta = Miranda Cdr. Adams = Ferdinand The Cook = Stephano Robbie = Either Caliban or Ariel The Id Monster = Either Ariel or Caliban The Krell = The witch Sycorax Of course the ending is very different. Whether to assign Robbie as Caliban or Ariel, and whether to assign the Id Monster as Ariel or Caliban, is complicated, because each of them has features of both. Ultimately, the Id kills the Ego and Superego, a very Freudian interpretation that the Id hates the other two parts of the unconscious. There are almost too many later works to mention that draw on this one. Star Trek, obviously -- both in the use of naval protocols and terminology, as well as some of the characters (Quinn reminds me a lot of Scotty, for example). The opening plot is very close to what we'd later see at the start of TOS's "The Cage" (later "The Menagerie"). In addition, the TV series "Lost in Space" made use of the shape of the starship, the astronomical sphere at the center of the control room, the "suspended animation" fields that protected the crew during entry out of hyperdrive, and even Robby the Robot, who appeared in an episode. Adams wasn't calling a crew member "Bosun" or "Boson"; he was calling him "Boatswain" (pronounced "bosun"), which is a senior enlisted position on a naval vessel. There's lots of 50s SF that isn't very good, but practically everyone agrees that "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), directed by the great Robert Wise, is a classic. "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959) is worth watching, as is "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1954).
Ken Schneyer
2025-02-22 19:32:12 +0000 UTCDANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER! Oh, wait… that was the other robot, wasn’t it? 😁 Robby the Robot was the coolest, at least from a ’50s perspective of what a robot would look and act like. "Would 60 gallons be sufficient?" Overkill… but hell yes! Great reaction to yet another of my all-time favorites! That’s two weeks in a row now. I kinda feel blessed. This movie is truly a classic! It must have been a marvel for the time in which it was released and definitely stands up to scrutiny even by today’s standards. One of the best science fiction films to come out of the 1950s. One thing that Jen pointed out was the fact that the movie relied on “electronic tonalities” throughout the film in lieu of traditional musical accompaniment. The soundscapes created by Louis and Bebe Barron, who were pioneers in the field of electronic music, may have unknowingly fostered the development of later electronic artists like John Cage, Morton Subotnick, Wendy Carlos and Isao Tomita to name a few and laid the groundwork for an industry in electronic synthesizer equipment manufacturers like Moog and Bucla. Many electronic musicians, both professional and hobbyist alike, have long attempted to create their own “Krell” patch to capture those tonalities. It seems to be something of a Holy Grail. As many have already suggested movies, here is MY list of sci-fi favorites from that same era. From the more science-y stuff all the way down into creature-feature territory. I think you should see them all. 😊 * The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) * The War of the Worlds (1953) * When Worlds Collide (1951) * 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) * Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) * Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) * Them! (1954) * The Blob (1958)
Major Peril
2025-02-22 19:20:27 +0000 UTCYou are correct. Everything from the stupid kid and an emotionless Klatu to a million other mistakes ruined the remake beyond repair.
Michael Tuffin
2025-02-22 19:01:26 +0000 UTCI did. Despise it. So many things wrong with it. People acting with zero rationality. The original makes sense. The sequel does not. Just my opinion and you have a right to your wrong opinion. I'm kidding. lol. Plenty of people liked the remake. Just not me. lol.
TigerMyth
2025-02-22 18:51:14 +0000 UTCMy one critique of this movie isn't the sci-fi stuff. It was the "love story". Which was ridiculous. Does anyone else agree? The coolest thing about this movie I think is the description of the Krell Great Machine. Big as a mountain underground 400 cubic miles. All the humans on earth could fit in less than one. 9200 nuclear reactors working in tandem over 50 miles below the surface of the planet. Self-maintaining over 2 million years. All machines powered by the machine, yet no "wired" connections. And able to take thoughts and make them reality anywhere on the planet. Tea. Earl Grey. Hot. Poof. There you go. They talked about "Aladdin's Lamp". Yes. The Great Krell Machine was unlimited wishes. Even your subconscious, unspoken dreams. Imagine what would happen if some of our Star Trek stars had access to the machine? Worf. Troi. RIKER! Great movie! Thank you Jen for watching!
Mastervodo
2025-02-22 18:31:53 +0000 UTCActually, I felt the remake was not at all bad, personal preference of course. For sure though, Jen should watch the original before the remake.
Major Peril
2025-02-22 17:48:08 +0000 UTCIt was a blast to watch along, Jen. Nice to put the 4$ unlock , as I used it😊 I was hoping, along with others I'm sure, that you liked this one a LOT. 😂. Nice outfit, well I can agree with as well. Just a tiny crush on Anne Francis 😇. You were taken aback at how neat this was. I enjoy FP a lot. Backstory, The Krell, The Saucer c-57D. ( Which is the rescue ship that crashed on Serenity, the movie). ( Where Mal first watched the video on the Reevers) Sorry to gush, Just glad you got to experience FP. Well done...Commercial Break... 😂 😊 🫡
timothy w moyer
2025-02-22 16:58:22 +0000 UTCWill watch this later on today! It’s one of my favorite 50s Science Fiction movies. In your write up you asked for other 50s Science Fiction movies, here’s a list of some of my favorite “old school” Science Fiction movies. I tried to stay away from the Giant Creatures / Prehistoric Creatures type of movies. “Rocketship X-M” (1950) Space / Other Worlds “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) Aliens “When Worlds Collide” (1951) Disaster “This Island Earth” (1955) Alien / Space “Flight to Mars” (1951) Space / Other Worlds “The Thing From Another World” (1951) Alien / Creature “The War of the Worlds” (1953) Alien Invasion “It Came From Beneath The Sea” (1955) Creature “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers” (1956) Alien Invasion “Satellite in the Sky” (1956) Space “World Without End” (1956) Dystopian Future “20 Million Miles To Earth” (1957) Alien / Creature “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957) Radioactive Effects “Fiend Without a Face” (1958) Science Run Amuck “It! The Terror From Beyond Space” (1958) Space / Alien (1979’s “Alien” drew a lot from this movie) “The Angry Red Planet” (1959) Space / Other Worlds And a few of my favorite early 60s Science Fiction movies: “The Time Machine” (1960) Time Travel “Beyond the Time Barrier” (1960) Time Travel “X: The Man With The X-Ray Eyes” (1963) Science Run Amuck “Robinson Crusoe on Mars” (1964) Other Worlds “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) Can’t really categorize it other than people get tiny
Miles E Coburn
2025-02-22 16:26:34 +0000 UTCWow!! Another classic! So Fun! This Island Earth and When Worlds Collide are also fun!
Kristin D
2025-02-22 15:57:14 +0000 UTCoh yes, the 1960s the time machine
zynjams
2025-02-22 14:58:53 +0000 UTCJen, the original The Day the Earth Stood Still, not to be confused with the crappy remake
Michael Tuffin
2025-02-22 13:22:15 +0000 UTCThere are a number of sci-fi movies from the fifties. There are a few smarter movies like this, as well as a lot of quality schlock. I've seen a few of these movies, but I'm not an expert. I'd love to watch more though! Here's a list of the most popular: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-1950s-sci-fi-movies/
Noremac
2025-02-22 12:24:54 +0000 UTCFrom a time when they couldn't glamour you with CGI glitz, so they had to have really solid and compelling stories above everything.
Lemurian Jones
2025-02-22 11:32:52 +0000 UTCJust thought of couple more you would like from the early era of sci fi. The original The Time Machine (1960) and Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1959).
Geoff S.
2025-02-22 10:05:37 +0000 UTC20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1954 (sort of sifi)
Matt
2025-02-22 09:58:51 +0000 UTCI haven’t seen this movie in a while but now I can’t get over how much young Leslie Nielsen looks like young Alec Baldwin! 😂
Julian San
2025-02-22 09:55:40 +0000 UTCI was worried with your super high expectations going in. Glad to see someone you age willing to look beyond the special effects of the time and see how special this one was. Yes, I know you are older than you look. I'm older than you and most people my age never watched this movie.
TigerMyth
2025-02-22 06:27:36 +0000 UTCGreat reaction, Jen. One of my favorite movies. The "DC stations" immobilize the crewmen so they aren't killed by the thousands of g's of force as they decelerate from about 16X light speed to below light speed. (Don't ask about the glass sphere. :-) I'm sure they gave Gene Roddenberry the idea for the Star Trek transporter. Have a look at this CGI tour of the inside of the ship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wga3VmRlbpU The special effects are pretty damn good for 1956, especially the scene approaching the planet. They used a combination of miniatures and Disney animation. I second the recommendations in Dustin Denner's comment. The 1953 "War of the Worlds" is another one of my favorites. I know you saw the Tom Cruise version, but the 1953 movie has more science and less blood. The Martian machines are cool.
Java Man
2025-02-22 05:43:12 +0000 UTCIt’s a bit earlier than the 50s, but Metropolis (1927) is the film that helped solidify science fiction on film as a genre, and it also happens to be a jaw dropping spectacle!
Nicholas Bielik
2025-02-22 05:35:29 +0000 UTCThank you Jen, I'm really enjoying your reactions, you're the best!
Alexis Vorian
2025-02-22 05:09:48 +0000 UTCYouTube auto generates these but they take a few days sometimes to generate
Jen M
2025-02-22 05:06:43 +0000 UTCThanks Jen, this was great! You asked about references and the plot and character motivations in Forbidden Planet are adapted from Shakespeare's "The Tempest" And as many have said "Forbidden Planet", "The Skylark of Space" and "Horatio Hornblower" were the three main influences on Gene Roddenbery for creating Star Trek. Though Roddenbery also used the show bible on the TV show "Have Gun Will Travel" as inspiration for Kirk, Spock and McCoy. That show bible said the main character had 3 sides to balance: heroic, logical and emotional. Roddenbery wanted that internal conflict to be an external dialogue between 3 characters in his new show.
Steve Holton
2025-02-22 04:58:20 +0000 UTCAnother great classic Sci Fi film would be the original The Time Machine from 1960.
Alexis Vorian
2025-02-22 04:36:28 +0000 UTCThis didn't just blow everyone's mind when it came out.....it was still doing it in the 80s, when I first saw it....and obviously it's still doing it in 2025!!!
Toc
2025-02-22 04:35:44 +0000 UTCI noticed some reactions have Closed Captions and others don't. I don't know why, i turn them on when available.
Alexis Vorian
2025-02-22 04:35:43 +0000 UTCThis is the reaction I've been waiting for, for so long. Glad you enjoyed it! Gene Roddenberry took a lot of inspiration from this film when creating Star Trek. Warren Stevens, Doc, did make an appearance in the original Star Trek episode "By Any Other Name" as the villain Rojan. I'd love to see more reaction to some 50's sci-fi: -The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) -When Worlds Collide (1951) -The War of the Worlds (1953) -20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Dustin Denner
2025-02-22 03:52:39 +0000 UTCFP was a huge hit upon it's release and helped MGM keep the gates open during a post Korean War economic recession....that spaceship would be reused in a number of 'The Twilight Zone' episodes,definitely an influence on Gene Roddenberry.
Celeste McAllister
2025-02-22 03:51:19 +0000 UTCGorn < Invisible Vengeful Indestructible Atomic 2-limbed ID monster created by a self-maintaining underground mountain-sized machine with unlimited power that can turn thoughts into reality that destroyed an entire advanced civilization overnight millennia ago. And Krell Metal is cool! The girl in the short skirt was nice as well. And don't forget Robbie the Robot! Great movie! Thanks for watching this Jen! Going to re-watch again this weekend!
Mastervodo
2025-02-22 03:49:50 +0000 UTCYes, let's watch the original 'The Day the Earth Stood Still!' A classic akin to the original 'The Thing From Another World,' a great sci-fi taken from a short story. 'Day' was adopted from 'Farewell to the Master' with a surprising twist I will not reveal here. ;-)
Georgius Agricola
2025-02-22 02:49:00 +0000 UTCHoly crap! How did I miss this on the schedule! Time to get my DVD off the shelf, make some popcorn, and watch Jen’s reaction to this classic. Jen, can you believe that Commander Adams morphed into Lt. Frank Drebin 30 years later? One thing that distinguished this movie from many sci-fi flicks of the 1950's is that it was released by a major studio who had the money and talent to make it shine. The final monster was animated by Disney. The artists who created the ‘electronic tonalities’ were not given composer credits because they did not belong to the musicians’ union. And finally, monsters from the id. OMG! Classic! BTW, I love this movie! :-)
Georgius Agricola
2025-02-22 02:40:28 +0000 UTCMy father took me to see this at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas (the original MGM, before the big fire) when I was a kid. The movie theater there had velvet curtains everywhere, including across the screen and they would pull them back to present the film. You sat in large recliner chairs with pull over tables kind of like school desks, but fancier, and you could order full service meals like steak dinners and such. The movie and the experience was formative and remains a part of my understanding of what solid science fiction cinema should be. I'm so glad you watched this one. It was a real joy and a fantastic walk down memory lane to have a watch along. Damn, I miss my dad.
Kaleigh Kaos
2025-02-22 02:38:30 +0000 UTCDepends on my schedule. Sometimes same week, sometimes same day. I watched this yesterday
Jen M
2025-02-22 02:37:52 +0000 UTCAwesome! Spinning this one up right now. So how about that score?
Rob Nichols
2025-02-22 02:06:44 +0000 UTCwoohooo!!!
Barry Hammock
2025-02-22 02:02:01 +0000 UTCThis movie was groundbreaking for its story and soundtrack. The use of the electronic sounds in a film score was extremely rare. Here are some others: Them!(1954), It! The Terror Beyond Space(1957, Clash of the Titans( 1981, Ray Harryhausen film), Attack of the 50ft Woman(1958),The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms(1953), the Thing from Another World (1951),Killer Shrew (1959), the Last Dinosaur(1977), Night of the Living Dead(1968, this one is public domain), Return of the Living Dead(1985), Mothra(1961)
MrDannySteele
2025-02-22 02:00:49 +0000 UTCDay the Earth Stood Still is a good start. I was wondering. Farm to table how long does it take from watching the movie to posting it? Like when did you watch this one?
Geoff S.
2025-02-22 01:59:34 +0000 UTC
