Tweetienator A real nice classic piece here - Forbidden Planet is sci-fi pulp fiction forged into a movie, on top we get Leslie "Naked Gun" Nielsen in his very young days. Like the The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and The War of the Worlds (1953), Forbidden Planet is a real iconic sci-fi flick of the 50s.

Myriam Nys "Forbidden planet" is not the most intelligent movie ever filmed ; there probably are fourteen-year old school girls capable of writing a sharper, wittier, tauter script or more astute dialogues. Some of the performances leave a lot to be desired, too : Anne Francis, as daughter to the local scientist / magician, was supposed to be naively innocent and sweetly mischievous, but I found her so cloyingly twee that she grated on my nerves like nails on a blackboard. (In mitigation it can be said that Miss Francis wasn't given much of role to work with.) An eccentric scientist with a young, gorgeous daughter who becomes the love interest of the hero - now here's a novel idea ! While not a feast for the intellect, the movie is a feast for the eyes : there's a wildly abundant and inventive artistic imagination, brought to life by exquisite sets and superb visual and special effects. For instance, there is a titanic "city" boasting miles and miles of machines and records beyond human comprehension. There is also a deeply impressive scene, where some kind of dimly observed beast tries to break through the defense of a small human settlement. The beast itself is pretty much invisible, but one can catch just enough glimpses of its outlines to grasp its seething, roaring ferocity.Finally it should be said that the movie, while not the sharpest science fiction knife in the block, makes an excellent point about the nature and limits of progress : no civilization, however advanced, brilliant and wise, is as civilized as it hopes or thinks.

Jeremy Ellis This is a must see landmark film for any fan of classic sci-fi. A with an ingenious and intelligent plot line, and effects that were ahead of its time. This 1956 adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" paved the way for the future of the science fiction film genre. Sometimes monsters hide where you least expect them.

alexanderdavies-99382 A defining film of the Sci Fi genre, "Forbidden Planet" is an example of how a film with a very respectable budget, should be written and acted. The script makes quite a few references to William Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest" and these references have been blended into the screenplay very well. One of the film's most enduring legacies, is the character of Robby the Robot. In addition, Walter Pidgeon is very good as the brilliant but flawed scientist. It is that character's rather unconventional experiments that pave the way for all the carnage that the space crew - helmed by Leslie Nielsen - suffers. The latter actor proved what a very good, dramatic performer he was before he starred in comedies. Anne Francis could have been dismissed as just another "dumb blonde" character. However, she adds a good deal to the proceedings. The film was shot entirely on soundstages but the sets are terrific - as are the production values in general. I could believe the characters were on an alien planet. There are a few gripping scenes to be sure and "Forbidden Planet" is a fascinating Sci Fi film all round. Even so, the direction could have been a bit stronger.