Forbidden Planet [Blu-ray] [1956]

Few sci-fi movies capture ordinariness in the strange and wonderful worlds that they create but The Forbidden Planet does so in a masterly fashion. This is a great film and a game-changer in the history of sci-fi. When you watch sci-fi and think "those are great special effects" then that is a sure sign that the film has failed because if it was a good film then you would not be looking at the technicalities you would be engrossed in the characterisations and the plot. The Forbidden Planet has a superb plot so the effects are just a part of staging the story. Having said that the effects here are primitive by today's standards - the dust cloud left by the speeding vehicle being perhaps the least convincing. Yet at the same time the animations used for the monsters and the portrayal of the underground world can stand alongside what could be done today. When they edited this film they realised that, given their limitations, the effects should not be pushed too far and so the whole piece benefited from understatement forced by the basic contemporary working methods. So many modern films could so learn from that same tempered approach. The creators of Forbidden Planet got pretty much the right balance between delivering you to another world and keeping your feet firmly planted in the basics of life, love and ambition. Also; luckily for us looking back from the second decade of the 21st century Forbidden Planet was made in colour. In terms of portraying an extraordinary world in ordinary terms Forbidden Planet was not equalled until Star Wars in 1977; 21 years later. However where the Forbidden Planet scores over Star Wars and the best of the genre, but also by some huge distance over lesser sci-fi, is in the sophistication of the plot. In one of my favourite scenes the writers find the most imaginative way of portraying the enormity of the available power that the vast underground machine can deliver. Sci-fi films, like action movies, too often fall into the trap of straightforward goodies where everything about them is super-wholesome and worthy pitched against baddies that are completely evil. The main plot here is so much more interesting and real than this classic reduction. OK; so there is not enough dialogue to really explore the ideas properly but in terms of direction it is spot on. The characterisations are also somewhat one-dimensional because they have to share the film with this wonderful plot and with all the explanation necessary in any sci-fi. However this helps make this an easy watchable film. It may be based on Shakespeare but it does not demand the endurance that the great bard's work often can. As for the packaging here on the Blu-ray; you get a very good rendition of the film in HD alongside a good set of extras. A couple of documentaries rub shoulders with pretty much all of the work Robby the Robot ever did (I think). The other Robby vehicles are eclipsed by the main feature of course and no more than a curiosity for me but the documentaries are great at reminding you of the context of the film and giving some insight into its creation. For the Robby stuff; contrast "let's write a film that explores man's inner struggle from the primitive and the power of the mind" with "can we do something with this darn robot - after all it cost a fortune to build". Outtakes feature too and this all adds up to give you a reasonable backdrop - the kind of material you want to see as extras on the Blu-ray or DVD release. Anyway; that is my humble opinion on what I consider a must-have addition to my collection.

Forbidden Planet is a Classic Science Fiction Movie from 1956. The Forbidden Planet is often described as the Granddaddy of Science Fiction Movies. And certainly you can see the influence this film had on later Science Fiction film creations. In fact the film has a lot going for it. It is set in the future where space travel is possible with incredibly fast speed. (like Warp drive in Star Trek) There is a great electronic futuristic soundtrack. The crew of the space ship are like the explorers of Star Trek. Despite being warned off, the space ship Altair 4 land on a planet that is home to Dr Morbius and his daughter. Also on the planet is an invisible force that is out to kill them. Dr Morbius has a robot servant called Robbie The Robot. Nine years after this film Irwin Allen produced a TV series called Lost in Space which had a Robot simply known as Robot aboard the Jupiter II space ship. That Robot was very similar to Robbie, but not the same. The film story is based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The film has a good solid story. It isn’t a film of great action but it is a great film all the same. The sets are impressive as well. The new Blu Ray HD version is fabulous. The picture is very sharp and clear and the colour and light are glorious. In fact the HD image gives the film a new lease of life. It is stunning. It really shows how great the film was for its time. The special features include a black and white film that was the sequel to Forbidden Planet. This is called The invisible boy. It is set in the present (1957) A scientist has been putting together a computer that has travelled back in time from the future and Dr Morbius. The scientist’s son gets lessons from the computer to boost his poor school record. In fact with the help of the computer he is able to repair Robbie the Robot. In effect the boy and Robbie are being controlled by the computer for sinister reasons. This film may have been the sequel to Forbidden Planet but its no where near as good. In fact it is a bit tacky and cheesy. However it is interesting to have it added on as a special feature.

A classic movie with some amazing special effects for the time. The robot is a character all on its own. I bought this DVD as this movie was not available to stream.

The Forbidden Planet is the one of the finest - if not the finest - of the old science fiction films, and the blu ray version makes it even more splendid to watch. The chemistry is all there: a wonderful plot, a good and pacey script, surprisingly plausible special effects which haven't aged nearly as much as might be supposed, and an interesting robot. Above all, a masterful performance by Walter Pidgeon, who carries the film forward with the quality of his diction, his timing, and an authentic weariness with which he characterises Morbius himself. Pidgeon is the star, but perhaps the Krell could make a claim for that accolade too. The idea of an intellectual super-race who got too clever for their own good and sewed the seeds of their own destruction is an appealing prophecy. The Krell influence the film as unseen victims who are sending a hidden message that is only understood at the 11th hour. At the film's conclusion, we are left unsure as to whether the lesson will be learnt. If you haven't seen this film, then be assured that this is one the greatest of sci-fi films. If you have seen it before, but not in Blu ray, you are likely to greatly enjoy the enhanced presentation and better sound and picture quality make the watching all the more effortless.

50年代SF映画の金字塔 デスが、やっとBD化されて感無量です。 ま 英語版ですが･････。画質の悪いDVDと見比べても背景画の見事さに感動します。 地球から来た円盤型の宇宙船が惑星に着陸するシーンは改めて感動しました。 ただ 当時の映画 戦争映画にで出てくる駆逐艦のコックがそのまま出て来た（笑） 23世紀なんだから 軍艦のコックは辞めてくれよ イドの怪物との戦いのシーンは50年代SFとしてはかなり頑張っていると思う 特撮シーンはいま見ても遜色無いです

A very good digital video transposition (honestly, I haven't got the equiment to judge the audio nor to compare it to the quality of the original material) for a masterpiece of sci-fi. It set a mark and is still fully enjoyable, in spite of its age. Un'ottima trasposizione digitale video (per l'audio non posso dire, non sono attrezzato e non onosco la qualità del materiale originale) per un capolavoro dell fantascienza. Non solo è una pietra miliare nel genere, ma, in barba all'età, è ancora godibilissimo.

Package slightly broken but disc was ok!

Amoureux de la science-fiction et du Vintage trés a la mode en ce moment le scénario est bon les trucages n'on pas vieilli l'ambiance est la mode nous raméne à l'époque de JFK à ne pas manquer surtout en blu-ray

Great movie. Fantastic bonus feature. Bargain.