FORBIDDEN PLANET
US, 1956, 98 minutes, Colour.
Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens. Richard Anderson, Earl Holliman.
Directed by Fred Mc Leod Wilcox.
Forbidden Planet is excellent science-fiction before such films were popular. While it deals with space exploration and other planets, much of the interest of the film is very human, the survival of a scientist and his daughter (and their enjoyable Robot). There is also psychological interest as the causes of destruction are psychological. A great strength of the film is its use of Shakespeare’s The Tempest for plot, characters and themes. Forbidden Planet is recommended science-fiction.
1. The film was considered a science-fiction classic. Why? What features of it did you enjoy best? Which features impressed you most? Why?
2. Comment on the visual presentation of scientific ideas, scientific gadgets and machines, the presentation of space and other planets, use of colour, the music. especially electronic music. How did these contribute to the atmosphere and success of the science-fiction?
3. How well was the robot used? Did the robot add to the atmosphere of the film? The humanising attitudes of robots?
4. Comment on the parallels between this film and Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest". Prospero, the old man alone. As Dr. Morbius. His daughter Miranda and Alta. Ariel, the fairy. with Robbie the Robot and the monsters as the equivalent of Caliban. Were there other parallels worked out between Shakespeare and this film? How successful were these? Did they add a dimension to the film?
5. Science-fiction films have missions and rescues. How well did this film use the mission and rescue structure? The arrival on an alien planet. the confrontation of the alien. the struggle and the escape? Was it a good science-fiction adventure?
6. With whom were we meant to identify? Did we identify with the captain and his crew? Captain Adams as a leader; Dr. Ostro the intelligent doctor; the serious Quinn; the humorous cook? They were ordinary, like ourselves. discovering this forbidden planet.
7. What kind of man was Dr. Morbius? How had he survived so long on this planet? Morbius as a scientist. his living alone, a good and wise man, yet the mystery about him and his suspicion of the visitors? His love for his daughter? The evil within him and his playing with unknown power? The destructive side of Morbius's character?
8. Was Alta an attractive heroine? As isolated, as not knowing other human beings. her slowness of wit, the motivation that determined the doctor to destroy the planet etc.?
9. How enjoyable was the robot? His manner and his style? The comedy effect in this film? The image of man? The service of humans?
10. What did the film have to say about civilization? The civilization that Dr. Morbius had built on the planet? The remnants of the civilization of the Krels? How important was this Krel civilization? The amazement at human endeavour? Morbius's revelation of this Krel civilization? The exploration of the Krel world (and the use of music)?
11. How effectively were fear and death communicated in the film? The unseen assailants and the accompanying music? Alta's nightmare? Dr. Morbius's fears and suspicions? The need for decisions by Captain Adams? How effective was this for its impact on audiences?
12. How interesting was the explanation of the unseen forces? The psychological reality of the Id? The fact that the evil came from Morbius himself? (That the Krels had destroyed themselves by their unseen powers and their evil within them?). The dramatic presentation of this unseen force? Breaking through the door etc.? Did Morbius have any alternative but to destroy himself and the planet? Why? What did this reveal to us about the hidden evils within ourselves? That are the last to be seen?
13. Was the happy ending satisfactory?
14. How plausible was the story? How enjoyable a film and its style? What myths and beliefs usually put in science fiction did the film capitalise on?
