The Worst Film Ever

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The first half of this movie was surprisingly close to Jules Verne's novel of the same name. However, once the projectile begins heading to the moon, the plot changes significantly--and you can only assume it was because the studio was broke and keeping everyone in the sabotaged ship was a cost-savings measure. Ultimately, this RKO film was released by Warner Brothers because of the bankruptcy.The story is set about 1870 in the United States. Mr. Barbicane (Joseph Cotten) is a munitions magnet who announces he's developed a super-explosive. His rival, Styvesant Nicholl (George Sanders) isn't impressed and says his metal plate can withstand anything...and soon after Barbicane blows the plate to pieces. So what is Barbicane going to do with the new formula, Power-X? He intends to use it to blast a projectile to the moon and back! Foolishly, Barbicane brings along his rival...not realizing Nicholl is a bit of a maniac!For a going out of business film, it is surprising that one was made in color and actually looks good. It also has some decent actors in the script. But the film does suffer a bit here and there due to some lulls and the movie sadly just abandoned Verne's script halfway through the film. Decent and watchable but it could have been much more...especially if they'd geared up for a sequel as Verne had a follow-up book that continued the story.

A plodding adaptation of the classic Jules Verne novel which takes a slow-moving and talky route to the adventure story. The first half of the film is taken up of mere plot exposition and when the rocket EVENTUALLY takes off, another half hour is just taken up of dialogue and battles of wills between the men on board. It's clear that money was spending on giving the movie an A-list cast, so unfortunately none is left for special effects of any kind. 95% of the rocket-time is spent in cheap-looking interior sets. Being based on a Verne story, the film's plot is quite interesting and accessible for fans of sci-fi from the period, but this is so deadly serious and lacking in incident its tough to watch.The best "action" the film has to offer is a couple of guys nearly getting fried in a shower of electric sparks. Elsewhere, it's more small talk and dated romance between the two young leads which culminates in one of the most disappointing let-downs of an anti climax: Cotton and Sanders land on the moon (off screen) and there the story ends. It let me thinking "Huh?". Joseph Cotten takes the lead as the inventor-turned-astronaut and puts in a convincing performance, but he's not in the least bit charismatic as such a role should be. The always good-value George Sanders also has an interesting role as the stubborn colleague who misguidedly sabotages the mission and places the lives of all on board in danger. Also appearing are Debra Paget as the unconvincingly blonde-haired love interest and Henry Daniell (a baddie in the Rathbone Holmes series) in a bit part as a stuffy academic type.Despite the appearances of such notable actors, you could hardly say that this movie contains any outstanding performances - instead everyone is more workmanlike. A distinctly uninspiring and uninteresting piece of science fiction cinema, totally lacking in excitement in every area.

A tedious exercise in cinematic boredom featuring Joseph Cotten and George Sanders. Unusual in that it had no protagonist - Cotten is an insanely greedy arms merchant and Sanders is a self-righteous, bible-thumping madman. The film plods along interminably with brief patches of action separating the endless preachy talk, talk, talk. Ultimately I found myself hoping for both of them to die along with the sappy couple of Debra Paget and Don Dubbins, just to bring this train wreck of a film to an end. There is no earthly (or lunar) reason to watch this dreadful film.

It's the late 1880s and Victor Barbicane (Joseph Cotton) has invented a new power source called "Power X." He realizes it has the potential to boost a rocket into outer space (or, more specifically, to the moon).After some initial flubs he manages to embark on his journey along with his assistant (Don Dubbins), semi-villain Stuyvesant Nicholl (George Sanders), and Nicholl's daughter Virginia (Debra Pagent).Nicholl thinks that Victor's Power X is sacrilege and sabotages their entire journey -- will they be able to get back to earth? This was presented on TCM as the least successful adaptation of Welles' material and it shows in every frame. The special effects are really pathetic - even for a 1958 film - and the acting is subpar. The great character actor Joseph Cotten looks utterly bored and disgusted at the fact that he's even remotely close to starring in this film - he basically just stumbles and mumbles through the entire project, and I truly felt sorry for him after seeing such superior films as "Citizen Kane," "Shadow of a Doubt," "The Magnificent Andersons" and of course "The Third Man." If you want to laugh, this is a good choice. If you're looking for something worthwhile (at least in terms of artistic merit) - look elsewhere!