This Island Earth (1955)

69% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(4,207 ratings)

For reasons that defy logic, the excellent This Island Earth was held up for ridicule as an allegedly bad movie in the film version of TV's Mystery Science Theater. If not the best science-fiction film of the 1950s, Earth is certainly one of the most intelligent and elaborate. The story begins when… More For reasons that defy logic, the excellent This Island Earth was held up for ridicule as an allegedly bad movie in the film version of TV's Mystery Science Theater. If not the best science-fiction film of the 1950s, Earth is certainly one of the most intelligent and elaborate. The story begins when the image of Exeter (Jeff Morrow), a huge-domed scientific genius from the planet Metaluna, appears on an experimental 3D television screen. Exeter invites several noted scientists from around the world to work on a top-secret project at Exeter's earthly mansion. Among those accepting the invitation are Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) and his ex-fiancee Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue). Soon, Cal and Ruth learn Exeter's true motives; to use the Earth's atomic knowhow in building a defense shield to protect Metaluna against the enemy planet Zahgon. Eventually, Exeter boards his high-tech flying saucer and whisks Cal and Ruth off to his dying planet, where, among other perils, they are menaced by a hideous mutant. Based on a novel by Raymond F. Jones, This Island Earth is one of those rare 1950s speculative films that holds up as well today as it did when first released, despite the comparative quaintness of the special effects and high-tech paraphernalia. Incidentally, the climactic Metalunan scenes were directed by Universal's resident sci-fi specialist, Jack Arnold. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Jack Arnold, Joseph M. Newman
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Aug 22, 2006
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video

Critic Reviews

Rob Humanick, Suite101.com
Worth consideration from anyone who enjoys their profundity with a side of cheese.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Intelligently directed by Joseph Newman.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
Most people will know This Island Earth as the 1950s sci-fi movie featured in the big screen version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 . . .
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
...even though its increasingly camp elements have aged poorly, it deserves respect as one of the more ambitious, grandiose, and important science fiction adventures of its time.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Pretty impressive sci-fi for 1955, a near classic.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Eye-filling sci-fi, although it's even better as the basis of 'MST3K: The Movie'
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Slower-moving than it needs to be, but hardly the object of scorn MST3K would have us believe
Steven Snyder, Greater Milwaukee Today
An appalling film, but good fodder for the mocking in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie"
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Inexplicably well-regarded, as ludicrous and simple-minded as they come
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Big budget, elaborate sci-fi. Nice to look at, but rather slow.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

If you're looking for a 50s example of style over substance, you've found it. This Island Earth (I'm still not sure how the title applies to the story) starts off with an interesting premise--aliens posing (poorly) as a think tank of sorts to recruit Earth's best… More
If you're looking for a 50s example of style over substance, you've found it. This Island Earth (I'm still not sure how the title applies to the story) starts off with an interesting premise--aliens posing (poorly) as a think tank of sorts to recruit Earth's best and brightest for the scientific good. Turns out they're scientifically more advanced than us and need our help for some reason. Eventually they wind up killing all but 2 of the scientests (including The Professor from Gilligan's Island!) and abduct them, taking them back to their home planet that's got one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave. The story is nonsensical shit. The first hour really tries your patience then sort of pays off with some kitschy set design, neat lighting and some fun effects that at the time supposedly took 2 1/2 years. Ooh! And a monster! I have a feeling I'd get more out of this from the MST3K perspective but you're better off watching Forbidden Planet as This Island Earth is the low-rent, poor man's version of that movie...
AJ V

This sci-fi movie is different from most 50s sci-fi movies. The story has to do with aliens bringing Earth scientist to their planet to help them. The settings are very cool and beautiful. I loved this movie, and I recommend it.
Randy T

Fifties sci-fi that's as cheesy as they come. Visitors from outer space recruit a couple of American scientists to assist in putting down an invasion of marauding intruders. <center><div style="width:179px;"><a… More
Fifties sci-fi that's as cheesy as they come. Visitors from outer space recruit a couple of American scientists to assist in putting down an invasion of marauding intruders. <center><div style="width:179px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/this-island-earth-evil-zahgon-12734504"><img src="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/12/73/45/12734504_ori.jpg" border="0"/></a></div></center> A masterpiece of low budget camp notable for it's two distinct types of aliens: the friendly, prominently foreheaded intellectuals and the lumbering, pincher-clawed Zahgons.
Anthony L

A intriguing and original idea, not brilliantly executed but that?s half the charm of this and all the other 50's B-movie 'flying saucer' films. The dodgy special effects, un-scary monsters, big-headed Aliens etc, it's all here in all its glory. One of my favourite… More
A intriguing and original idea, not brilliantly executed but that?s half the charm of this and all the other 50's B-movie 'flying saucer' films. The dodgy special effects, un-scary monsters, big-headed Aliens etc, it's all here in all its glory. One of my favourite lines in this film (and now of all time) is: Joe Wilson: Here's something my wife could use in the house. An "iterociter incorporating an electron sorter." Dr. Cal Meacham: Oh, she'd probably gain 20 pounds while it did all the work for her. Brilliant, just brilliant!
Pierluigi P

Cheesy as hell. one of those 50s comunist paranoia flicks. despite that, entertaining. view it for its "historical" value.
Nate H

Not actually terrible, but it's kind of imbalanced. As though it were a short story and the writer realized he was approaching the word limit a bit too late. Decent effects, though, and the acting wasn't even distractingly hammy.