Red Planet (1994– )

On the distant mining world of New Aries, a young colonist, Jim Marlowe, has acquired a native pet, a "roundhead" he names Willis, which can parrot speech and record visual information. As ... See full summary »

Stars:

Pat Fraley, Benny Grant, Mark Hamill

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Pat Fraley	...	Willis

Storyline

On the distant mining world of New Aries, a young colonist, Jim Marlowe, has acquired a native pet, a "roundhead" he names Willis, which can parrot speech and record visual information. As Jim and his sister P.J. are about to be sent to a boarding school, their mother Jane, the colony's chief medical officer, discovers that a substance in the deeper mines is killing the miners. She uses her authority to shut down the mines, but the decision is rescinded by the evil colony leader, a Beta Earth Mining Company man who sees only the rich profits at any cost. When the colony leader and the school's headmaster discover that Jim has a roundhead in captivity, they seek to steal it for use in medical experiments to make a serum that will temporarily protect the miners against the deadly substances in the mines. Willis records their conversation and when Jim escapes with him, it sets off a revolt against the Company that ends up involving the mysterious intelligent natives. Only Jim's ...

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Plot Keywords:

boarding school | colonization | color in title | outer space | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Animation | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Children's Productions, Gunther-Wahl Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min 66 min (3 parts)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Every character name in the film is taken exactly from the novel. Dr. McRae's first name of "Donald" is never used, only the nickname "Mac".

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Goofs

The nature of the planet's atmosphere varies from scene to scene. Characters need pressure suits with oxygen and are sucked out an airlock into near-vacuum at one point, but strong windstorms, heavy rain and other effects consistent with a Earthlike atmosphere are seen throughout.

User Reviews

Got me hooked on Science Fiction

I was always a big fan of Saturday morning cartoons, any genre. My favorites were always Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or whatever shows based on comic books were currently running. When I was in the sixth grade, Red Planet came out. I liked the miniseries so much that I bought the book, which was written towards children of my age. I loved it. It wasn't the same as the miniseries, but they came close enough in imaginative scope. I think Heinlein would've been proud. Since then I've become an avid Heinlein and sci/fi fan. The film not only inspired me to read more, but it also inspired me to dabble in my own authorship. The worth of my stories has yet to be proved, but the therapeutic value is unmatched by anything else. I've seen the film again, after having read the book, and it is still amazing. This film is targeted at children, and is perhaps the best kid's movie I've ever seen.