This Island Earth – DVD Review

credit: www.dvdtown.com

Universal presents This Island Earth. Written by Lance Fuller and Russell L. Johnson. Based on a novel by Raymond F. Jones. Running Time: 86 minutes. Not Rated. Originally released in 1955.

Director:

Joseph M. Newman

Cast:

Rex Reason……….Dr. Cal Meacham
Faith Domergue……….Dr. Ruth Adams
Jeff Morrow……….Exeter
Lance Fuller……….Brack

The Movie:

This is classic “B” Sci-Fi film in all its glory! Ludicrous plots, unbelievable science, terrible acting, and low grade special effects!

Cal Meacham is a doctor who can fly a jet? Why, cause it’s cool maybe? It’s never really explained. Back at his lab he begins to receive materials in the mail from some unknown source. Curiosity takes over and he orders more materials from a catalogue he’s been given. With these materials he builds a device that puts him in contact with a strange man named Exeter. He’s hiring the Earth’s best scientist for a secret project. Naturally Carl joins up.

Once transported to his new work place, by a plane with no pilot, he meets Dr. Ruth Adams. Together they figure out that life in this little Georgian house is not all it’s cracked up to be. Cal gets a huge hint when Exeter doesn’t know who Mozart is. Then Exeter says “Oh, yes, your composer.” Later Cal and Ruth try to escape with another scientist and only they survive. Yes, survive, only to be taken aboard a UFO! No good Sci-Fi movie can go with at least one UFO!

Cal and Ruth being brought into the UFO! Trust me, there’s a plane somewhere in that green ray.

From here they are taken back to Exeter’s home planet, Metaluna. It seems the Metalunan’s are at war with another alien race, the Zagons, and they were hoping the scientists would help them harness a stronger than nuclear power to help defeat their enemies.

What happens when Cal and Ruth reach Metaluna? Will Cal and Ruth help the Metalunan’s? What will they do when they find out the Metalunan’s ultimate plan? How will Cal and Ruth react when faced with the Metalunan’s mutant slaves? Watch the movie and find out for yourself!

So this is what a new toothbrush feels like.

For the most part the dialog in this film is pretty terrible, but at times it’s so terrible it’s good. After Cal and his assistant finish building the device in the beginning, his assistant says “You know what my kids would say. Look at this crazy mixed up pluming!” And when Cal and Ruth are being altered so they’ll survive on Metaluna, Cal asks how Ruth is feeling, then he says “I feel like a new toothbrush.”

STORY: 6/10
ACTING: 5/10
LOOK/FEEL: 7/10
ORIGINALTY: 8/10
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 10/10
FINAL SCORE: 7/10

That’s a nice mutant slave you got there. Sure hope it doesn’t turn on us.

The DVD:

The Video:

This film is widescreen, 1.33:1. For a 50 year old film, this looks really good, not a lot of scratches or anything.

The Audio:

This film is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono. The sound isn’t super crisp, but it’s not bad. The sound of the alien ray is kind of annoying but that’s it.

Extras:

Trailer: This may be the only special feature on here. But these old trailers are fantastic!