The failure of the enterprise is a crushing blow to both men – to Thayer in particular, who has destroyed his career, “campaigned himself right out of the service”, in pursuit of the conquest of space – but they show themselves to be made of the right stuff, squaring their shoulders and going back to the drawing-board.And when, two years later, Thayer visits aeronautical entrepreneur Jim Barnes (who he addresses fondly as “Jimmy”), he is no longer intent merely upon launching a satellite, but upon being the first to reach the moon itself.

Heute technisch völlig überholt, wurde bei der Ausstattung des Films Wert auf Authentizität und das zu dieser Zeit technisch Machbare gelegt. He convinced the independent Eagle-Lion's publicity department saw the promotional possibilities for a film about a rocket expedition to the Moon.

), at the time of its first release the film was enormously successful, grossing about ten times its outlay. Don't expect any cheap thrills or exploitation elements. Posted on 8 August 2020 by Mark R. Kelly.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it: this was, after all, an era when the expression “Popular Science” was not an oxymoron! After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. Mondlandschaft und Rakete (für die „Außenaufnahmen“ im All) sind gezeichnet worden. Instead it presents a detailed speculation of what they thought it would be like to go to the moon in a rocket-ship. Other films may have been willing to dispose of their space explorers – or at best, to allow them to sacrifice themselves – but Science fiction films may claim to be, intend to be, about “the future”, but they very often say a great deal more about the time in which they were produced; and “Good grief, man!

Directed by Irving Pichel, Walter Lantz, Dick Lundy.

In Deutschland ist der Film auch unter den DVD-Titeln Rakete zum Mond und Ziel Mond bekannt.

Cargraves speaks grimly of sabotage… Two years later, Thayer approaches aeronautics expert Jim Barnes (John Archer) about his and Cargraves’ new project: a rocket to the moon. Those of us who have lived through a time when space shuttle flights were so commonplace as to barely rate a mention on the news unless something went wrong might find it hard to understand what the fuss was all about. Certificate: Passed

Safely on the Moon, they explore the lunar surface and describe by radio their view of the Earth, as contrasted against the black lunar sky.

Der in Farbe gedrehte Film erzählt die Geschichte einer privat finanzierten Reise zum Mond. The model rocket that Barnes demonstrates to the industrialists is more than three-quarters “reaction mass”; today’s rockets are over 90% fuel. In Deutschland ist der Film auch unter den DVD-Titeln Rakete zum Mond und Ziel Mond bekannt.

As the project nears completion, however, obstacles begin to arise: protests against the launch occur, and the men are denied permission to test their atomic engine.

The soundtrack music, written by composer Leith Stevens, is noteworthy for its atmospheric themes and musical motifs, all of which add subtle but important detail and emotion to the various dramatic moments in the film. The next moment, Cargraves is drifting in space…

Die während des Fluges auftretenden Probleme werden von der Besatzung gelöst, und schließlich landen die ersten Menschen auf dem Mond. Extraterrestrials traveling in high-tech flying saucers contact a scientist as part of a plan to enslave the inhabitants of Earth. The first manned expedition to Mars is decimated by an unknown life form which stows away on the rescue ship. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon.