Directed by Nathan H. Juran
Produced by Charles H. Schneer
Written by Nigel Kneale (screenplay)
H.G. Wells (story)
Starring Lionel Jeffries
Edward Judd
Martha Hyer
Music by Laurie Johnson
Cinematography Wilkie Cooper
Editing by Maurice Rootes
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date November 20, 1964
Running time 103 mins
Country United Kingdom
Language English
First Men In The Moon is a 1864 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel featuring the great stop motion animation of Ray Harryhausen. It is an exciting film, even though at times Lionel Jeffries overacts.
This is typical 1950s/60s sci-fi stuff, with the ending sort of pinched from War Of The Worlds. Harryhausen’s monsters are perhaps not as threatening as in the Sinbad movies or Jason and the Argonauts, with the only real threat being the brief scene with a giant caterpillar-like moon cow. The other creatures created by Harryhausen are the insect like moon people called the Selenites.
The film is interesting and entertaining and a faithful adaptation of H.G. Wells’ work, but it is a change of pace from Ray Harryhausen’s usual film making magic.
Related Articles
- The Academy to highlight the work of Ray Harryhausen (hollywoodnews.com)
- Harry’s DVD Picks & Peeks: 1st wk of July 2010: Buster Keaton, Ray Harryhausen, Gamera, Hallenbeck and Noir!!! (aintitcool.com)
- Witness the fantastical legacy of Ray Harryhausen [This Is Awesome] (io9.com)
- Ray Harryhausen’s classic creatures (news.bbc.co.uk)
- I thought The Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day smelled bad… on the outside! (aintitcool.com)
- Happy 90th Birthday Ray Harryhausen!!! (aintitcool.com)
- Watch 14-Year-Old Peter Jackson Re-create Ray Harryhausen’s The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (geektyrant.com)
- Happy birthday, Ray Harryhausen! (guardian.co.uk)
- John Landis on why Ray Harryhausen’s effects are still so special (guardian.co.uk)
