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This 1956 pop adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest is one of the best, most influential science fiction movies ever made. Its space explorers are the models for the crew of Star Trek's Enterprise, and the film's robot is clearly the prototype for Robby in Lost in Space. Walter Pidgeon is the Prospero figure, presiding over a paradisiacal world with his lovely young daughter and their servile droid. When the crew of a spaceship lands on the planet, they become aware of a sinister invisible force that threatens to destroy them. Great special effects and a bizarre electronic score help make Forbidden Planet as fresh, imaginative and fun as it was when first released.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. N. Morgan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Of all the 1950s sci-fi films that were made (and there were many of them!) in my opinion just four stand head and shoulders above the rest: "This Island Earth", "The Day The Earth Stood Still", "Them" and this one - "The Forbidden Planet." This is one film that has been crying out for a DVD release ever since the DVD was invented! Now at long last it looks like it's going to happen - well maybe - its release has been postponed three times already!
Whilst not wanting to give too much away about the film's storyline, it is loosely based on William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", and the film shows clearly what can happen when "mind over matter" (or should I say over energy) is allowed to get out of hand.
Containing some of the best sets and visual effects around in its time, these still cut the mustard even in today's CGI world. In fact, one set (the Krell power plant) still fills me - a fifty-something - with wonder every time I see it!
Louis & Bebe Barron's haunting and disturbing electronic music score really adds to the film (for which they got paid very little apparently) and enhances the atmosphere and suspense.
There is also a considerable amount of humorous parody in the film as well - e.g. Robbie's response to Altaira's request for yet another dress!
This film is a definite "must have" for any sci-fi film buff worthy of their salt - and I can't wait to get my copy! Let's hope the release date isn't postponed AGAIN!!
Highly recommended!
Whilst not wanting to give too much away about the film's storyline, it is loosely based on William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", and the film shows clearly what can happen when "mind over matter" (or should I say over energy) is allowed to get out of hand.
Containing some of the best sets and visual effects around in its time, these still cut the mustard even in today's CGI world. In fact, one set (the Krell power plant) still fills me - a fifty-something - with wonder every time I see it!
Louis & Bebe Barron's haunting and disturbing electronic music score really adds to the film (for which they got paid very little apparently) and enhances the atmosphere and suspense.
There is also a considerable amount of humorous parody in the film as well - e.g. Robbie's response to Altaira's request for yet another dress!
This film is a definite "must have" for any sci-fi film buff worthy of their salt - and I can't wait to get my copy! Let's hope the release date isn't postponed AGAIN!!
Highly recommended!
121 of 126 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Forbidden Planet has gone down in history as being perhaps the greatest Sci-Fi movie ever and it probably is, everybody knows that it was the inspiration on Gene Roddenberry's part for the creation of Star Trek and I suspect George Lucas was similarly influenced too.
Forbidden Planet was the first film that made Sci-Fi "cool" if that is the right word, it also looked as if some money had been spent on it and the script was given respect by the actors that gave it their all and played the parts for real.
The effects detailing the landscape of Altair 4 and the massive Krell machine under the planet are quite simply astounding, on each occasion that I have seen the film I have always been amazed at the sense of scale and depth that is portrayed on screen, which is even more apparent now with the footage being restored and released onto DVD. It has often made me feel as if I could actually be on the surface of the planet and traversing the many miles of the huge machine.
The idea of "Monsters from the Id" was not entirely original at the time the film was made, as it does in some ways have a bearing on Jekyll and Hyde, but the idea of having a race so advanced as to build a planet-sized machine capable of creating solid matter through thought was inspired at the time, and the concept of the Krell being destroyed by their own dark side manifested by the machine was thought provoking material and showed the dangers of absolute power.
The film has been lovingly restored and is a godsend with the special features making it even more so.... Read more ›
Forbidden Planet was the first film that made Sci-Fi "cool" if that is the right word, it also looked as if some money had been spent on it and the script was given respect by the actors that gave it their all and played the parts for real.
The effects detailing the landscape of Altair 4 and the massive Krell machine under the planet are quite simply astounding, on each occasion that I have seen the film I have always been amazed at the sense of scale and depth that is portrayed on screen, which is even more apparent now with the footage being restored and released onto DVD. It has often made me feel as if I could actually be on the surface of the planet and traversing the many miles of the huge machine.
The idea of "Monsters from the Id" was not entirely original at the time the film was made, as it does in some ways have a bearing on Jekyll and Hyde, but the idea of having a race so advanced as to build a planet-sized machine capable of creating solid matter through thought was inspired at the time, and the concept of the Krell being destroyed by their own dark side manifested by the machine was thought provoking material and showed the dangers of absolute power.
The film has been lovingly restored and is a godsend with the special features making it even more so.... Read more ›
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
what in heaven's name is "grahamapplin129" talking about in his review?!!!
how can a dvd that features the superbly remastered version of the film, loads of deleted scenes, loads of lost footage, THREE documentaries, trailers and even a bonus film be considered unspecial and vanilla?
what did he want - a life-size Robby the Robot?!!!
everyone else here has said it for me. quite staggeringly brilliant film with imagination and effects way ahead of its time. puts most modern (past ten years) sci-fi movies to shame.
how can a dvd that features the superbly remastered version of the film, loads of deleted scenes, loads of lost footage, THREE documentaries, trailers and even a bonus film be considered unspecial and vanilla?
what did he want - a life-size Robby the Robot?!!!
everyone else here has said it for me. quite staggeringly brilliant film with imagination and effects way ahead of its time. puts most modern (past ten years) sci-fi movies to shame.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By heavy_t
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
There a million reviewers out there who can do more justice to reviewing the film itself than I can, suffice to say that for me it is a superb film, and this is the consensus among most people that see it. I want to use this review to point out what a great Blu-Ray this is. As usual Warner Bros. has upgraded to Blu-Ray with love and attention to detail. First of all the picture quality: it's sharp, and the colours are vivid, but it hasn't been over processed to within an inch of its life, and a bit of realistic grain is still present. The film really pops out at you, and you will be amazed that a film from 1956 can look so good on your home TV. I had seen this before on TV and VHS, but this was like seeing the film for the first time. It really looks gorgeous!
It's worth mentioning the extras as well, as you get a whole second feature film: The Invisible Boy (1957) which also featured Robbie the Robot. While clearly a lower budget production (it is b/w) and not of the same ambitious and thought provoking scale, it is still an interesting addition, and quite a bonus to get a film which is unlikely to get a Blu-Ray release in its own right. This also looks to have been restored as well, although it is not of the same eye-popping quality as the main feature. There is also a 55-minute documentary, Watch the Skies, about the explosion of sci-fi films in the 1950s, as well as an episode and some clips of TV programmes from the era that also featured Robbie the Robot. Deleted scenes and trailers for both films round this off.
A superb Blu-Ray release.
It's worth mentioning the extras as well, as you get a whole second feature film: The Invisible Boy (1957) which also featured Robbie the Robot. While clearly a lower budget production (it is b/w) and not of the same ambitious and thought provoking scale, it is still an interesting addition, and quite a bonus to get a film which is unlikely to get a Blu-Ray release in its own right. This also looks to have been restored as well, although it is not of the same eye-popping quality as the main feature. There is also a 55-minute documentary, Watch the Skies, about the explosion of sci-fi films in the 1950s, as well as an episode and some clips of TV programmes from the era that also featured Robbie the Robot. Deleted scenes and trailers for both films round this off.
A superb Blu-Ray release.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A film from the past
This is a really excellent example of a 50's sci-fi movie and is still one of the best examples you could watch. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Bugman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Ever Science Fiction Film
This must be the best Science Fiction film of all time; perhaps because the plot, or at least the situation, is based on Shakespeare's "The Tempest". Read more
Published 20 days ago by Mr. J. Hastings
1.0 out of 5 stars
Damn! Didn't notice I got the blu-ray
I liked this on TV years ago but I'm really disappointed I didn't notice the one I ordered was blu-ray. That will teach me to buy and not just download for free. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Lance Bryant
5.0 out of 5 stars
another classic!
once again ive always wanted to own this movie!
this movie inspired me with science fiction as a teenager..cant believe how young looking lesley nielson is! Read more
this movie inspired me with science fiction as a teenager..cant believe how young looking lesley nielson is! Read more
Published 1 month ago by marco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
A must have !!! What a pity such edition is not published in Italy with italian soundtrack !!!
I expect the BD version of this box !!!
p.
I expect the BD version of this box !!!
p.
Published 1 month ago by Paolo Maria Failla
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite film of all time!
A superb production of an absolute classic film. My favourite film so all time! Th blu-ray production is outstanding and great value - worth every penny!
Published 1 month ago by Prof S. Creanor
4.0 out of 5 stars
good purchase
I loved this film many years ago and now I have it to watch on the latest tv etc big screen and so on worthy contender as another classic
Published 1 month ago by David L Fuller
4.0 out of 5 stars
It has it all...
If you have ever watched an episode of `Star Trek', or the series `Lost in Space', this 1956 film will show you where all the ideas came from. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Robby you old Robot you!
This is an all time favorite Sci Fi of mine, it stars Robby the Robot who has been in so many things from ADs, Movies and TV series, an iconic Robot from Sci Fi days of old. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Darren
5.0 out of 5 stars
the service was very good
i thought it was very good quality and watching iwill be telling my friends all about it thanks so much
Published 2 months ago by gail
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