​Classic sci-fi gets restoration and Blu-ray release

A recently-restored version of a beloved science-fiction classic came out on Blu-ray last month from Twilight Time in a limited release of 5,000 units.

“First Men in the Moon” (1964) was a groundbreaking film based on a groundbreaking book by H. G. Wells written more than six decades before men finally did walk on the moon.

Historian-philosopher-author Herbert George Wells is best remembered for writing five sci-fi novels, or “scientific romances,” as they were called when originally published in the 1890s and early 1900s: “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” “The War of the Worlds,” “The Time Machine,” “The Invisible Man” and “First Men in the Moon.”

All were imaginative adventure-fantasies based upon scientific knowledge, but all were also often-bitter allegories about the nature and future of mankind. Each of these books has inspired and/or has been adapted into a number of film versions with various degrees of faithfulness; the time period of the story and the thematic subtext have been generally updated to include the concerns of the era in which each film was made.

Within a year after Wells’ moon-adventure novel was published, French magician-turned-filmmaker Georges Méliès incorporated plot elements from it (as well as from Jules Verne) in his comic special-effects fantasy “A Trip to the Moon.” A now-lost feature-length British version was made in 1919, but it wasn’t until nearly a half-century later that the first sound version of “First Men in the Moon” made it to theater screens.

A TV movie of the story was made in 2010, but it’s the 1964 production that remains definitive, despite some liberties it takes with the original plot.

Ray Harryhausen, master of stop-motion animation for film fantasy, and partner-producer Charles H. Schneer, were behind this early ‘60s take on Wells’ novel, scripted by noted sci-fi screenwriter Nigel Kneale.

Still five years before the first actual moon landing and four years before the premiere of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” it was a time when most sci-fi movies tended to be aimed at children and teenagers: the films were action-oriented with low budgets and incorporated obviously unreal rocketships and cheesy special effects.

But Harryhausen’s “First Men in the Moon” added a framing story showing what seemed to be a believable and scientifically up-to-date dramatization of an international space project by United Nations to land the first humans on the moon.

Once they land and discover evidence of previous human presence, their investigation leads to an extended flashback to the main story set back in 1899, which makes up the bulk of the film. Here we get the meat of Wells’ original novel, with a few variations (such as adding an American fiancée for protagonist Arnold Bedford, revising certain elements to comply more with modern scientific information, as well as condensing and changing the ending).

A large part of the film’s charm is its visualization of quaint Victorian-era life, space travel and Harryhausen’s imaginative depiction of an intelligent insect-like civilization living beneath the moon’s surface with a fascinating technology based on solar power. Harryhausen fans are sometimes disappointed there is less of his trademark “Dynamation” blend of animated models with live action than usual.

This was due largely to time and budget constraints and the studio’s insistence of using the Panavision widescreen process (Harryhausen’s only film in that 2.35:1 ratio), but the overall look is still definitely Harryhausen’s.

Younger sci-fi fans are also sometimes restless with the long dramatic buildup establishing the characters and anti-gravity technology before the actual moon landing; the exploration doesn’t happen until over halfway through the film.

Moreover, the obnoxious conman personality of the main character seems a harsh contrast to the lovable absent-minded eccentric inventor he gets involved with, or the more practical fiancée who winds up on the moon voyage against her will.

This, however, (and the strong cast) not only makes it easier to identify with the characters, but it also helps provide some of the inherent and ironic Wellsian commentary on human nature that is more obvious in the book.

“First Men In the Moon” is not a mere superficial action-fantasy designed for kiddie matinees; it contains enough plot for adult movie fans along with some thought-provoking, if sometimes subtle, social commentary and food for thought in keeping with Wells’ books. It’s also great fun.

Twilight Time’s Blu-ray has an outstanding HD transfer from a new restoration by Sony Pictures. Original audio recordings have been remixed into a very effective 5.1 DTS-HD soundtrack. Bonus features include an isolated music score track, an audio commentary with Harryhausen, an archivist and a modern effects artist, a video introduction, a vintage featurette and two original trailers, plus an eight-page illustrated pamphlet.

“FIRST MEN IN THE MOON” on Blu-ray – Movie: A / Video: A+ / Audio: A / Extras: B