"Astronomers calculate that a large star, Bellus, is hurtling toward Earth and will destroy it within 8 months. Circling Bellus is an Earth-like planet dubbed Zyra by its discoverer, which might sustain human life if people can escape to it before Earth is destroyed. A small group of scientists and believers, including a pilot from South Africa named David Randall (Derr) and the scientist daughter of one of the astronomers named Joyce Hedron (Rush) labor to build the necessary rocket transport and choose its passengers in time. Joyce's fiance, Dr. Tony Drake, is part of the team and must deal with her growing attraction to Randall, and a crotchety millionaire (Hoyt) helps to complete the financing for the mission but keeps insisting on doing things his way. This colorful 1951 movie, based on a superior novel by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie and produced by George Pal, was a pioneering SF classic but looks rather dated today. "
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie Actual chase scenes or violence - 20% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 60% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact
Yes
Romance
Yes
Technology/$$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- method of transportation
Environmental disaster?
- dealing with a crashing asteroid
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- pilot, civilian
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair type
- (man) short/medium wavy
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- caring
Ethnicity/Nationality
- English/British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn, straight
How much in movie?
- 80%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 60's-90's
Profession/status:
- not employed but independently wealthy
Eccentric:
Yes
- emotionally unstable
- obsessed
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Hair color
- white/grey
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- fat (man)
Ethnicity
- White
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physical condition
- missing body parts/abilities
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th Century (1950-1970)
Spaceship setting:
- futuristic human freighter/transport
A substantial portion of this movie takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- empty, or nearly empty world
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside our solar system?
Yes
Takes place in spaceship?
Yes
Mountains?
Yes
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Tone of movie
- fearful
Any profanity?
- None
Kinds of F/X
- exotic alien landscape
Is this movie based on a
- book
