Red Planet Mars

An old-fashioned revival of faith sparked by a message from Mars touches an Earth under threat of nuclear war. This probably seems like a silly plot idea to a lot of modern sophisticated people. Except, this is almost what happened in Eastern Europe in our lifetime. Pushed beyond its military-industrial ability by the defense initiatives of Ronald Reagan(also a man of faith), the Soviet Bloc was pushed over the edge as people of faith in Poland, the Baltic republics, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and even Mother Russia herself protested and pushed toward democracy and freedom. The combination of political, economic, and spiritual forces have reshaped a continent and changed our world. The candles and prayers didn't hurt. "Well done, Simplicity!"

Peter Graves and Andrea King are working toward making communications with some life form on the planet Mars. Communications are made and then frequent messages are shot back down to Earth relating the Martian way of life, its lack of need for resources such as coal and oil, its ability to produce enough food from one field to feed a city, etc... All this news puts the world in a panic and the Western world's economy comes crashing down. Workers all of a sudden have nothing to do because of this little piece of communication. Now, the time has come for the East and the Red Menace to take over. What a bunch of malarkey! Red Planet Mars is a definite diversion from typical Sci-fi fare of the 1950s. We never see Mars(except some map of how its surface changes all the time). We don't get a glimpse at any aliens. We don't get any special effects except an astronomy lab and a cheaply-made communication center. What we do get is a story about science fiction actually masking a political agenda: to show how there is a great deal of tension between the West(United States) and the East(Soviet Union). The West is of course good; the East is bad. This is a propaganda film all the way, and though some of it is indeed thoughtful and inspires discussion - much of it is way too simplistic and heavy-handed. To really appreciate the film for what it is, it is important to understand the context of the time in which it was made. As a reminder of the Cold War and all the friction that existed in the world at that time, Red Planet Mars is acceptable. As a science fiction film, Red Planet Mars ultimately fails. Look, it isn't a bad movie really. Sure its doesn't have the most creative direction by Harry Horner. Graves gives his typical every man attempt at a performance of a world-famous scientist that has caused the catastrophic fall of Western civilization as being nothing more than a father of two boys a bit harried with his new found fame. His wife played by King is ever so more unconvincing as she just gives a bad performance. Watch her as she says some of her lines. it's like watching a bad impersonation of Olivier! The rest of cast borders one side or the other around mediocrity(Morris Ankrum has a bit part). Easily the most interesting character in the whole movie is the Russian in charge of trying to beat the Americans in conquering the communications battle. He is funny in his sly manner. If you don't mind the overly-optimistic preaching laced throughout the film and particularly at the end, you might give Red Planet Mars a look. It is definitely not something you have seen before.

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.

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.

I fondly remember the movie and particularly liked the conceit used to open communications with the aliens (the number sequence for pi). It was also thrilling to think that world peace could come about. On reseeing the movie over the years, and with the actual passing of the USSR and soviet communism, the movie doesn't really hold up. It's in the museum of propaganda films now. The closing screen was "The Beginning."