Robinson Crusoe on Mars [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Spun from Daniel DeFoe's tale of the titular character, this sci-fi story involves a spaceship commander, Chris Draper (Paul Mantee) in a similar situation to the original Robinson Crusoe -- but rather than being stranded on an island, our hero is on a hostile planet. Draper, Colonel Dan McReady (Adam West), and a test monkey look as if they are going to collide with a meteor. Draper and the chimp are able to eject themselves from the vessel, but McReady is not so lucky. The two survivors safely land on Mars and figure out how to breathe, drink, and eat on the inhospitable planet. After some time, Draper crosses paths with a human, Friday, who has recently escaped slavery on an alien planet. As the two find a means of communication, they become friends. They soon work together to survive the incredible odds, including an alien attack and meteorological phenomena. Filmed on location in California's Death Valley, this impressive feature owes much to cinematographer Winton C. Hoch and special effects master Lawrence W. Butler. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Features:
  • New, restored high-definition digital transfer
  • Audio commentary featuring screenwriter Ib Melchior, actors Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin, production designer Al Nozaki, Oscar-winning special effects designer and Robinson Crusoe on Mars historian Robert Skotak, and excerpts from a 1979 audio interview with director Byron Haskin
  • Excerpts from Melchior's original screenplay
  • Destination: Mars, a new video featurette by Michael Lennick detailing the science and dreams behind Robinson Crusoe on Mars
  • New music video for Lundin's song "Robinson Crusoe on Mars"
  • Stills gallery of behind-the-scenes photos, production designs, and promotional material
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Plus: A booklet featuring a new essay by filmmaker and space historian Michael Lennick, Melchior's "Brief Yargorian Dictionary" of original alien dialect, and a list of facts about Mars from his original screenplay

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Paul Mantee - Cmdr. Christopher "Kit" Draper
       Vic Lundin - Friday
       Adam West - Col. Dan McReady

• Director:

  Byron Haskin

• Producer:

  Aubrey Schenk, Aubrey Schenck

• Screenwriter:

  John C. Higgins, Ib Melchior

• Book Author:

  Daniel Defoe

• Cinematographer:

  Winton Hoch

• Composer (Music Score):

  Fred Steiner, Nathan VanCleave

• Editor:

  Terrell O. Morse

• Art Director:

  Arthur Lonergan, Hal Pereira

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Harold Lewis, John K. Wilkinson

• Makeup:

  Wally Westmore, Bud Bashaw

• Special Effects:

  Lawrence W. Butler

• First Assistant Director:

  Arthur Jacobson

REVIEW:

• Although its title suggests that this is a film to avoid, Robinson Crusoe on Mars is actually surprisingly good. Although a considerable financial failure at the time (despite general critical approval), Crusoe has gained quite a cult reputation over the years and is deservedly beloved by science fiction aficionados. Remarkably faithful in spirit to the Daniel Defoe novel, Crusoe benefits from an intelligent screenplay that celebrates the human spirit and its resilience without becoming arch or preachy. It also tells an exciting story, with carefully drawn characters (even when one of those characters talks very little). Director Byron Haskin does an excellent job of conveying the loneliness, isolation, and desperation that the Robinson Crusoe character (actually one Commander Chris Draper), feels, as well as the pride and pleasure at his accomplishments in surviving. Haskin also sensitively handles the relationship between Commander Draper and runaway slave Friday, so that it develops into a friendship rather than a master-servant arrangement. Winton Hoch's excellent cinematography is a decided plus, giving a low budget film a very believable look and making Death Valley resemble a very credible Mars. And Paul Mantee turns in very solid work as Crusoe, anchoring the film in a crucial way. A delightful and uplifting film, Robinson Crusoe on Mars deserves a much wider audience. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi