Compared to "2001: A Space Odyssey" (which came out just a few years later), the special effects in "First Men in the Moon" are somewhat primitive. However, compared to the other sci-fi films of the 1950s and 60s, it is quite lovely--and a nice step forward. Aside from a few cheesy scenes here and there (such as VERY obvious wires used to make the astronauts seem to bounce due to the Moon's gravity and the cheesy alien costumes), the film is lovely and I wish I could have seen it on a big screen. The matte paintings were fantastic and some of the sets were wonderful. All this serves to give the film a nice look--one that overwhelms a story that, at times, is a bit weak.
The movie begins in the present time. A landing of Earth astronauts on the Moon is shocked when they discover relics left by an earlier landing--one made many decades earlier!! They are able to track down one of the people responsible for this prior moon flight and this elderly man is able to recount what had occurred. The rest of the film is an extended flashback.
It seems that a supposedly inventor (Lionel Jeffries--who was wonderful in the film) has created a serum that makes gravity disappear! And, using this 'Cavorite', he plans on eventually making a trip to the Moon. Joining him for the ride are an annoying woman and a man who likes to kill things--both are VERY weak characters, indeed. Their behaviors simply make little sense at times--reacting instead of thinking. I don't want to ruin the film by saying too much, but suffice to say that they find alien life on their journey! What exactly happens next is really up to you to find out yourself.
Aside from two dumb characters, occasionally cheesy effects and a story that occasionally drags, the film is a treat for the eyes and is quite enjoyable--particularly if you are a fan of sci-fi or the work of Ray Harryhausen.
The movie begins in the present time. A landing of Earth astronauts on the Moon is shocked when they discover relics left by an earlier landing--one made many decades earlier!! They are able to track down one of the people responsible for this prior moon flight and this elderly man is able to recount what had occurred. The rest of the film is an extended flashback.
It seems that a supposedly inventor (Lionel Jeffries--who was wonderful in the film) has created a serum that makes gravity disappear! And, using this 'Cavorite', he plans on eventually making a trip to the Moon. Joining him for the ride are an annoying woman and a man who likes to kill things--both are VERY weak characters, indeed. Their behaviors simply make little sense at times--reacting instead of thinking. I don't want to ruin the film by saying too much, but suffice to say that they find alien life on their journey! What exactly happens next is really up to you to find out yourself.
Aside from two dumb characters, occasionally cheesy effects and a story that occasionally drags, the film is a treat for the eyes and is quite enjoyable--particularly if you are a fan of sci-fi or the work of Ray Harryhausen.