Destination Moon
Destination Moon (1950)
Image From IMDB
Destination Moon is an early example of Hard Sci-Fi. Everything is approached in a somewhat realistic way, at least realistic for what we knew in 1950 as we hadn’t actually been into space yet. In that regards, it’s a pretty fascinating watch, and they got a lot of the details right in principle.
It was also a movie that predicted American Industry advancing the space program rather than government as a group of scientists and wealthy business men built a rocket and travelled to the moon despite the Government cutting funding and denying them liftoff. Again, this also feels in line with the real worlds going on’s of late with the various billionaire space programs. Once more the details aren’t exactly spot on, but not a million miles away from a film made before we even reached space. They really did do their best to make Destination Moon mostly as realistic as possible.
The movie is somewhat hampered by its budget but it tends to cut around that rather than showing to many undercooked effects. The rocket looks cool, but the model is mostly shown in long shots rather than any complex sequences. When it comes to lift off we mainly see inside the cockpit and the crew using the various machines and computers. It adds a little to that hard sci-fi feel taking away a lot of the spectacle.
This makes it a somewhat slowburn movie as there isn’t much action outside of the rushed launched and the very cool space walk (which is the time they use the exterior shots). It really is more of a thoughtful attempt. Plenty of conversation and problem solving, like early Trek or something.
While other sci-fi movies from around this period dealt with aliens from Mars and planetary disasters Destination Moon played more like a case study. The most out their experimental part was probably the Woody Woodpecker cartoon.
I liked all the crew, especially Joe (Dick Wesson) he was the fish out of water character that let us as the audience know what was going on, but the final act showed there was more to him than just comic relief.
The fuel problem that dominates the final stages was well played. I enjoyed the conversation and moral dilemma of it all. The crews want to stick together, but knowing that the situation is near hopeless. All the stuff on the moon in fact was great. Nothing over the top. The picture of Joe holding up the Earth just had to be done. The only thing I didn’t like was us littering the moon, but you know, only human.
Destination Moon is a decent watch, especially for hard sci-fi fans. There’s no massive stand out moments in the film outside of the crazy space walk rescue sequence midway through, but plenty of good solid sci-fi stuff of the time. Some of the ideas have dated, some where correct. It’s interesting to watch a movie seventy plus years old present itself in such a way and shows how quickly science can change from fantasy to reality. It’s not for everyone, but deserves a mention for being unique in its time.
