Endstation Mars

If you´re an anti-communist and you think Communists aren´t human being you will probably like this movie. (And if you´re so stupid to think nazi-communists do exist) The plot is mediocre, not-surprising and the religious message is quite annoying. Watch it if you like Ed Wood and B-class movies.

Peter Graves plays a scientist in San Diego, California who receives messages from Mars on his radio transmitter (sneakily intercepted by the Russians); initially, the decoded Martian messages about prolonged life and their unnecessary need for industrial mechanics throw America's population into a tailspin. However, it turns out Mars is a Christian planet, and their next communication with us, a regular "sermon on the mount", begins to ease tensions and starts a religious revival worldwide. Talky think-piece, adapted from a play, amusingly full of clean-cut, incredibly polite Americans and savage-acting Russkies. Not likely to please science-fiction fans who are used to propulsive action, though the b&w cinematography by Joseph Biroc is excellent and there are some interesting ideas and a last-act plot-twist. Released at a time when communist hysteria was running rampant in the U.S., the movie is brave enough to attempt a humanitarian tact--and naive enough to believe in what it preaches. A livelier cast might have made it more memorable, but check out Peter's big-screen TV! ** from ****

This old , offbeat and incredible Cold War relic deals with an American scientist discovering that a Radio voice transmission from Mars belongs to God . As the scientific (Peter Graves) and wife (Andrea King) contact Mars by radio and receive information that Mars is ruled by a godlike supreme being , causing a global revolution on Earth . The plot rolls out barmstorming happenings in which TV transmission from Mars origines unfortunate incidents and extraordinary distresses . As Revolution sweeps the Earth, including the Soviet Union. But there remains doubt about the messages being true , as an ex-Nazi claims he was duping the Americans .Here is the first contact between Earth and Mars! Out-Of-This-World excitement and suspense ! The World Torn Asunder By A Thret From Outer Space!

A main candidate for the strangest and nuttiest Science Fiction of all time with a surprising premise and plenty of twists , set-up and turns : An American scientist (Peter Graves) and his wife (Andrea King) are able to contact and communicate with Mars . But Mars results to be a utopia and that Earth's people can be saved if they return to the worship of God and other rare events . There follows a further bona fide transmission proclaiming that its leader is God himself , which stirs up a worldwide religious revival and a resolve for all to live in harmony . All of them cause shattering political, economic , and spiritual repercussions . This in an incoherent movie overburned with various messages about religion , politics , extraterrestrial life and science . The strange script involves a marriage of scientists , a mad doctor hoping to topple capitalism , religious riots against Stalin and communism and many other things . It stars the always agreeable Peter Graves . Peter drafted United States Air Force, he studied drama at the University of Minnesota and then headed to Hollywood, where he first appeared on television and later made his film debut in Rogue River (1951). Numerous film appearances followed, especially in Westerns . However, Graves is primarily recognized for his television work, particularly as Jim Phelps in Mission impossible (1966). He made movies of all kinds of genres , Sci-Fi, drama , Western , Warlike , comedy , such as : Stalag , Beneath the 12-mile reef , It conquered the world , Killers from space , The clonus horror , The court martial of Billy Mitchell , The winds of war , Sergeant Ryker , Cruise missile , Legend of the Sea Wolf , Scream of the Wolf, Texas across the river , The Guns and the Fury , The rebels , Survival run, Let's make up , The night of the hunter , The slipper and the rose , being especially known for his special appearances in : Airplane I and II and Men in Black 2 . Peter Graves died of a heart attack on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday. His partenaire is the beautiful and attractive Andrea King , being her first screen appearance in the film entitled The Ramparts We Watch (1940). After signing with Warner Bros. and changing her professional name, Andrea's career took off very quickly, and she appeared in nine films in 18 months. The Warner Bros. studio photographers voted Andrea the most photogenic actress on the lot for the year 1945. Her first leading role came early on with Hotel Berlin (1945), following other films as The Very Thought of You , God Is My Co-Pilot , My Wild Irish Rose , Song of surrender , Darby's Rangers , Silent Fear , Dial 1119 , I Was a Shoplifter , The Lemon Drop Kid , The Mark of the Renegade and The world in his arms . They are accompanied by a good support cast , such as : Walter Sande , Marvin Miller , Willis Bouchey and an usual actor in Sci-Fi movies : Morris Ankrum .

Rare screenplay by Anthony Veiller and John Balderson based on the play : ¨Red Planet¨ by John Hoare and John Lloyd Balderson . It packs an atmospheric musical score by Merrick . As well as an evocative cinematography in black and white by the notorious cameraman Joseph F. Biroc who had a long career .This film from another age that was ahead of its time was regularly directed by Harry Horner . He formed an association with the noted production designer William Cameron Menzies and made a few films , such as : New faces of 1952 , Vicki , Man from Del Rio , The wild party , A life in the balance , Beware my lovely and this one . Rating : 5/10 , average but passable .

I recall seeing this as a youngster and being really disappointed! No Flash Gordon, no rockets, space guns, not even any Martians. After viewing it again recently, I realize, there was a REAL story here. More fantasy then sci-fi, views more like "The Next Voice You Hear", another movie that dealt in the spirtuality of modern times. A great cast performs admirably and the unexpected conclusion make this one well worth a second look.

Completely Corny, Heavy Handed Attempt to Meld the Topical Communist Red Scare with Sci-Fi and an Over-the-Top Christian Religiosity.

Sombre, and seemingly Unaware of the Self-Conscious Sermon Like Dialog and Christian Witnessing that Permeates the Proceedings, Especially in the Second-Half.

It Starts with a Science-Fiction Template of a Communications Scientist Trying to Send and Receive Signals to and From the Red Planet.

The Interjection of a Russian Scientist Attempting the Same and the First-Half is Played rather Straight with the East-West Cold War.

Somewhere around the Middle the Movie Ratchets Up the Paranoia.

It goes way Out-There once Signals seem to be Received Regarding an Advance Knowledge of Futuristic Natural Resource Economy and the Ability to gain Abundance from very Little.

In the Third Act All Hell Breaks Loose Literally as Things become Ultra-Religious with Orthodox Imagery, Bible Verse, and a Satan Worshiper.

It's one of those that is Difficult to Describe and has to be Seen to be Believed.

Worth a Watch for just that Reason.

It is one that is so Out of Orbit from the Usual Stuff that it will Not be Forgotten.