Forbidden Planet (1956)
Directed by Fred M. Wilcox
Genres - Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure |
Sub-Genres - Sci-Fi Action, Space Adventure |
Release Date - Mar 15, 1956 (USA - Unknown), Apr 18, 2000 (USA) |
Run Time - 98 min. |
Countries - Japan, United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
MGM's first big-budget science fiction film, Forbidden Planet, combined state-of-the-art special effects with a storyline based on Shakespeare's The Tempest. In the 23rd century, Cmdr. J.J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen) guides United Planets cruiser C-57-D on a rescue mission to faraway planet Altair-4. Twenty years earlier, Earth ship Bellerophon disappeared while en route to Altair-4. Only the ship's philologist, Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), survived; in the intervening decades, Morbius has created an Edenlike world of his own, for the benefit of himself and his nubile young daughter, Altaira (Anne Francis). His private paradise is zealously guarded by Robby the Robot, a piece of technology far in advance of anything on Earth. When Adams and his crew land on Altair-4, Morbius announces that he has no intention of being rescued and returned to Earth. When Adams attempts to contact home base, he finds that his radio equipment has been smashed by some unseen force. Holding Morbius responsible, Adams confronts the scientist, who decides to tell all. At one time, according to Morbius, Altair-4 was populated by the Krel, a wise, intellectually superior race. Using leftover Krel technology, Morbius has doubled his intellect and gained the ability to shape a new world to his own specifications. Forbidden Planet was a big influence on future sci-fi outer-space efforts, especially Star Trek.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
space-rescue, scientist, space-travel, spacecraft, survivor, robot
Attributes
High Artistic Quality, High Historical Importance