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    First Men in the Moon

    • 19641964
    • Not RatedNot Rated
    • 1h 43min
    IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    5.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Trailer for this sci fi classic
    Play trailer3:22
    1 Video
    36 Photos
    AdventureSci-Fi

    When a spaceship lands on the moon, it is hailed as a new accomplishment, before it becomes clear that a Victorian party completed the journey in 1899, leading investigators to that mission'... Read allWhen a spaceship lands on the moon, it is hailed as a new accomplishment, before it becomes clear that a Victorian party completed the journey in 1899, leading investigators to that mission's last survivor.When a spaceship lands on the moon, it is hailed as a new accomplishment, before it becomes clear that a Victorian party completed the journey in 1899, leading investigators to that mission's last survivor.

    IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    5.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nathan Juran
    • Writers
      • Nigel Kneale(screenplay)
      • Jan Read(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(from the original story by)
    • Stars
      • Edward Judd
      • Martha Hyer
      • Lionel Jeffries
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Nathan Juran
    • Writers
      • Nigel Kneale(screenplay)
      • Jan Read(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(from the original story by)
    • Stars
      • Edward Judd
      • Martha Hyer
      • Lionel Jeffries
    • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 75User reviews
    • 73Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Videos1

    First Men in the Moon
    Trailer 3:22
    First Men in the Moon

    Photos36

    Martha Hyer and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Lionel Jeffries and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer and Edward Judd in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    Martha Hyer in First Men in the Moon (1964)
    First Men in the Moon (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Judd
    Edward Judd
    • Arnold Bedfordas Arnold Bedford
    Martha Hyer
    Martha Hyer
    • Kate Callenderas Kate Callender
    Lionel Jeffries
    Lionel Jeffries
    • Prof. Joseph Cavoras Prof. Joseph Cavor
    Miles Malleson
    Miles Malleson
    • Dymchurch Registraras Dymchurch Registrar
    Norman Bird
    Norman Bird
    • Stuartas Stuart
    Gladys Henson
    • Nursing Home Matronas Nursing Home Matron
    Hugh McDermott
    Hugh McDermott
    • Richard Challisas Richard Challis
    Betty McDowall
    Betty McDowall
    • Margaret Hoyas Margaret Hoy
    Paul Carpenter
    • Reporter from the 'Express'as Reporter from the 'Express'
    • (uncredited)
    Erik Chitty
    Erik Chitty
    • Gibbs, Cavor's Hired Manas Gibbs, Cavor's Hired Man
    • (uncredited)
    Valentine Dyall
    Valentine Dyall
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Finch
    Peter Finch
    • Bailiff's Manas Bailiff's Man
    • (uncredited)
    John Forbes-Robertson
    John Forbes-Robertson
    • First Reporteras First Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Patrick Halpin
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Laurence Herder
    Laurence Herder
    • Glushkov, UN Space Agencyas Glushkov, UN Space Agency
    • (uncredited)
    George Hilsdon
    • Constableas Constable
    • (uncredited)
    Douglas Ives
    • Sparksas Sparks
    • (uncredited)
    Sean Kelly
    • Col. Rice, Moon Landing Crewas Col. Rice, Moon Landing Crew
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Nathan Juran
    • Writers
      • Nigel Kneale(screenplay)
      • Jan Read(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(from the original story by)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    Based on the HG Wells story. The world is delighted when a space craft containing a crew made up of the world's astronauts lands on the moon, they think for the first time. But the delight turns to shock when the astronauts discover an old British flag and a document declaring that the moon is taken for Queen Victoria proving that the astronauts were not the first men on the moon. On Earth, an investigation team finds the last of the Victorian crew - a now aged Arnold Bedford and he tells them the story of how he and his girlfriend, Katherine Callender, meet up with an inventor, Joseph Cavor, in 1899. Cavor has invented Cavorite, a paste that will allow anything to deflect gravity and he created a sphere that will actually take them to the moon. Taking Arnold and accidentally taking Katherine they fly to the moon where, to their total amazement, they discover a bee-like insect population who take an unhealthy interest in their Earthly visitors... —Lee Horton <Leeh@tcp.co.uk>
    giant insectpsychotronic filmlow budget sci fi movieastronomical object in titleman on moon55 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • H.G. Wells' Astounding Adventure in Dynamation!
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the only one of Ray Harryhausen's films to be shot in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) due to the higher cost of anamorphic camera and projection lenses needed for his Dynamation Process.
    • Goofs
      Arnold Bedford invests money in boots from the Boer War, speaking as if this war is in the past. Most viewers think he is talking about the Boer War of 1899-1902, which began after this scene takes place. However, there was an earlier, less-publicized Boer War in 1880 and 1881, which could be what he is referring to.
    • Quotes

      The Grand Lunar: You say men cling to different tongues and beliefs. Is there no one ruler?

      Joseph Cavor: No. No, every century some despot tries, but up to now no one's succeeded. People like Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Napoleon...

      The Grand Lunar: Does this not lead to confusion?

      Joseph Cavor: Yes, it does. And worse. Starvation... hostility... even war.

      The Grand Lunar: Tell me of war.

      Joseph Cavor: Tell you of war? Oh my goodness... Well... it usually starts with a whacking great explosion.

    • Crazy credits
      Filmed in Dynamation - The wonder of the screen!
    • Connections
      Featured in Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996)

    User reviews75

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Highly Under rated
    Wow! I'm pretty surprised. Well, I shouldn't be, good old H.G. never lets you down. Fact is, this really should be higher on the list of the most iconic science fiction of the early years. The effects are marvelous, and it's some of Harryhausen's best work in my opinion. Awesome concept, an alien race eager to learn about the humans, what their planet is like, only to become paranoid at the idea of violent humans coming to the moon. It's a bit different from most films of its time in the fact that the alien race isn't exactly the enemy of the humans. They are more so concerned and ready to defend themselves from an oncoming invasion...to the moon, from earth. Overall I could totally watch this film again, which is something I don't usually do. I would highly recommend it to anyone who truly loves science fiction.
    helpful•8
    1
    • NerdBat
    • May 28, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • Czech
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die erste Fahrt zum Mond
    • Filming locations
      • New Haw, Surrey, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures Corporation
      • Charles H. Schneer Productions
      • Ameran Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,650,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 43min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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