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First Men in the Moon
1964 103 min United Kingdom 0+
★6.6
Adventure, Science Fiction
Director: Nathan Juran
🎭 Based on
«The First Men in the Moon»
byH. G. Wells
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The world is delighted when a spacecraft containing a crew made up of the world's astronauts lands on the moon, but are shocked 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.
US Gross:
$1.65M
Worldwide:
$1.65M
Starring
Edward Judd
Actor
Martha Hyer
Actor
Lionel Jeffries
Actor
Key opinion
First Men in the Moon (1964) is viewed as a charming yet dated adaptation of H.G. Wells's work that relies heavily on its whimsical Victorian aesthetic. While Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion effects provide a highlight for genre enthusiasts, the film suffers from inconsistent pacing and performances that many find lightweight or unconvincing.
| special_effects | Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion 'Dynammation' creatures serve as the film's visual centerpiece, effectively elevating the final act. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative frequently feels thin and lightweight, struggling to maintain gravity despite its ambitious premise. | |
| Acting | Performances are widely perceived as lacking credibility, failing to elevate the material beyond its B-movie roots. | |
| Production | The film’s retro, Victorian-inspired aesthetic provides a distinct charm for genre fans, though it suffers significantly when compared to the technical realism introduced shortly thereafter by 2001: A Space Odyssey. | |
| Pacing | Pacing is uneven; some viewers appreciate the slow-burn buildup, while others find the narrative progression plodding and likely to induce boredom. |