Robinson Crusoe On Mars

There are some films that tend to stay favorites throughout your entire life. We all have flicks like this that inspire a sense of wonder that remains from childhood to your adult life. For me one of these films has always been ‘Robinson Crusoe On Mars’. I was about eleven when I first saw this in the theater and I was blown away. I had just read the original ‘Robinson Crusoe’ and the concept that a novel written so long ago could be translated to a science fiction was simply incredible. Even today with such great advancements in computer generated special effects this film remains a classic. Many of the giants in film today such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas grew up watching movies like this and the effect it had on their work is evident. Sure the sets are cheesy, the dialogue affected and the special effects are primitive but so many of my generation love this flick. For years now we have wanted this cult classic on DVD only to be stuck with old full screen VHS tapes. Now, not only is it being released on DVD but it has been chosen to take its place in the ultimate release series, the renowned Criterion Collection. A lot of sci-fi flicks of the fifties and sixties are making their way to DVD but few are being released by such a prestigious distributor as Criterion.

American astronauts Commander Christopher 'Kit' Draper (Paul Mantee) and Colonel Dan McReady (Adam West) are aboard the Martian bound probe, Gravity One. Just as they are about the go into orbit a meteor looms too close. They men have to use all of their fuel in a desperate to avoid a collision. The probe is stranded in orbit with no fuel to land. The astronauts have no choice but to eject out of the crippled craft to the surface. McReady dies in the landing but Draper survives along with a monkey named Mona. Draper begins the arduous tasks require for his survival. First be has to obtain shelter. A nearby cave offers a place to rest and gather his meager resources. He finds some coal-like rocks to ward off the cold Martian nights and discovers that they give off much needed oxygen. He is able to build a makeshift contraption to refill his oxygen tanks which permits him to explore his new home. Without the oxygen supplied by the rocks he will die. To prevent running out of air while asleep Draper constructs an alarm using sand and counter weights to wake him. When Draper sees that Mona is going AWOL every so often he naturally wonders where the little monkey is gong. This coincides in Mona not needing food from his rapidly reducing supplies. He gives her a salty treat and follower her when thirst sets in. Mona leads him to an underground grotto where there is fresh water and an edible ‘sausage’ plant. With a supply of oxygen, water and food he can sustain his life. Every night Draper is mocked by the sight of his orbiting craft with its fresh supplies. Without fuel there is no way to order it to land.

Some time later Draper sees a rock placed at an odd angle. His realizes that it is a grave marker when he notices a skeletal arm with an odd metal bracelet. Afraid that he is not alone and that the others may be hostile he sends the self destruct signal to his craft. Descending from the Martian sky is a ship of some sort. His hopes that it is a rescue from earth are dashed when form a hiding place he sees that it is a slave ship. One of the slaves runs for freedom and Draper helps him hid. The slave, whom he names Friday (Victor Lundin) has the same bracelet he saw on the corpse. It turns out to be a location and detention device placed on Friday by his masters. Slowly Draper and Friday begin to depend on each other for survival. Friday has some pills that release oxygen directly into the bloodstream. The two have to avoid the aliens and learn to trust each other.

This film is nothing short of being a classic. For those of the younger set watching for the first time remember that it was movies like this that inspired a generation of film makers. Without it so much of what we take for granted would not be around. This is most likely one of the reasons that Criterion included this title in their much lauded collection. Director Byron Haskin also helmed the equally classic 1953 ‘War of the Worlds’. Not only are there similarities in the style but just take a look at the alien craft. They are reused props from War’. Science fiction flicks from the late fifties to early sixties where not known for large budgets. The crew had to make due with what was on hand, often reusing items and footage from previous films. The film is true to the themes and ideas of the centuries old original novel. A civilized man reduced to a noble savage is universal. It is a theme that demands to be revisited every generation. Here, Byron demonstrates that science fiction can be more than space creatures, it can tell a truly human story. Draper is a man who depended on the advanced technology of the American space program. Now, in order to survive he has to learn to make a primitive environment provide for his most basic needs.

This is mostly a one man show for Paul Mantee. His only screen companion for most of the flick is Mona the monkey. He does a remarkable job of getting across the plight of Draper without becoming melodramatic. He is the every man facing the most fundamental needs to survive. In order to make the film work Mantee has to win over the audience and he does so with flair. He allows the audience to sympathize with his plight but never lets us believe that he won’t make it. This was the height of the U.S. space program and the American astronauts where the ultimate heroes, not only for our country but for the American way of life. Mantee shows us that an astronaut can prevail against any odds. Victor Lundin does more acting with his face than most can do with the best crafted dialogue. He has a way of acting to convey his emotions that is great to watch. As a foot note he was also the first actor credited with playing a Klingon on the original Star Trek series.

When you pick up any member of the Criterion Collection you do not have to worry about quality. They are still the best around and this release is no different. They are dedicated to presenting films on DVD while remaining true to the original source material. Because of this the audio was not enhanced. You get the original mono sound track. So many people get upset when a film is reduced to fit the 4:3 screen but are okay with re-mastering of the audio. Criterion gives you the film the way it was presented back in 1964. The sound track is clear and without any discernable flaws. The audio is also true to the Techniscope masters. It is in 2.35:1 anamorphic video with an excellent color palette. Criterion is also known for imaginative extras. Here you get fascinating audio commentary featuring screenwriter Ib Melchior, actors Mantee and Lundin. It is great to hear their recollections about the production of the movie. Then there is a featurette called ‘Destination: Mars’ which considers the possibility of a manned landing on the red planet. Also included is a music video of Lundin’s song ‘Robinson Crusoe on Mars’, more interesting for its historical place than its music. Now there is one more ‘must have’ DVDs we can cross off our lists. This is a film that the whole family can and should enjoy together.

Posted 08/13/07