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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304680698
Format: Black & White, NTSC
ISBN: 6304680694
Label: Englewood Entertainment
Manufacturer: Englewood Entertainment
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Englewood Entertainment
Release Date: September 18, 1997
Running Time: 77 minutes
Sales Rank: 31974
Studio: Englewood Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: June 02, 1950
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Before the mid-1950s, science fiction was mostly confined to kid-stuff serials such as Buck Rogers; the things they portrayed were considered pure fantasy, pie in the sky. By 1950, however, things had changed. World War II had brought the German V-2 rocket (the template for many a '50s sci-fi rocket ship), television, and of course, the bomb. Sabrejets and MiGs were doing battle over Korea, and science fiction had become fact. Rocketship X-M (the X-M standing for Expedition: Moon), though primitive and cheap, has a place in film history as being the movie that initiated the '50s science fiction boom. A crew of four men and one woman embark for the moon, but when all are knocked unconscious, the rocket goes into a drift and they wind up on Mars instead. On the pinkish Mars, they encounter a race of extremely ticked-off cavemen who don't want them there and kill off three of their number. Certainly the effects are quaint (the astronauts and ground control communicate via surplus WWII radio equipment), the story a little ridiculous, and the acting stiff--but this was the first serious science fiction movie and was the inspiration for countless films that followed. --Jerry Renshaw
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Early 50s science fiction gem
Released in 1950, Rocketship X-M (eXpedition Moon) portrays the first manned attempt to reach the moon. Well-made on a small budget, this excellent film is not to be confused with the many low budget flying saucer creature-features to follow throughout the 50s.
The story begins with a press conference -- only minutes before launch, where members of the press are first told of the secret plans to go to the moon, and introduced to the crew of four men and one woman. When a reporter asks ... Read More
Rating:  - Movie Milestone
This film beat the more highly publicized Destination Moon into the theatres in 1950 and thus kicked off the tidal wave of science-fiction movies that followed. It may not have been as realistic as the latter, but it was sure as heck a lot more fun. Despite some really hokey dialog and wildly improbable developments (aim for the moon, but hit Mars!), Rocketship does what every good movie should-- it holds interest throughout.
The opening scene is especially impressive with its well-stocked ... Read More
Rating: - Watch out for that meteor shower...
What an absolutely great way to spend an evening. These older Sci-Fi movies are gems. Sure...they can't touch todays computer generated spectaculars...but they are great just the same. Those guys did a great job with what they had to work with. Spend an evening watching this movie and some of Ray Harryhausen's work...then you'll realize just where the "Force" came from!
Rating: - A FABULOUS MUSIC SCORE
Ferde Grofe, certainly one of the best known American symphonic composers, was hired to write the music score for ROCKETSHIP X-M. He was paid $1500 to turn in what may be the best sci-fi score for the movies. When you watch the film, tune in to the heroic main title (which is repeated, in part, later), the "weightless" sound in certain scenes, the romantic theme for Floyd and Lisa, and the eerie sound as the crew discovers they are headed for Mars. After the landing, Grofe uses part of some music he wrote ... Read More
Rating: - Just like its' music.
If you listen to the music for the movie it sounds like a grand adventure is taking place and then it all ends on a crash of sour notes. What do I mean? Well, they embark on the grand adventure of being the first ones to take ship for the moon--and wind up on mars. On their way back they crash...just like the music. I liked it. It shows just how serious people took the possibilitly of space flight back in the early fiftys.
PROS:
1. None of the attempted indept characterization ... Read More
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