Destinazione Luna

Rocketship X-M is a solid film, and is a darker, less optimistic effort than 1951's "Flight to Mars". The 50th anniversary DVD edition is amazing, and the "Sepiacolor" scenes on the martian surface are quite effective.

Buffs will notice that the very brief (5 second) image of the ship on the surface is a different image than in the original. The use of Death Valley for the Martian surface (at dusk) is much more effective that in scenes from Flight to Mars, which were probably all shot in a studio. Lloyd Bridges is in love with himself even more than he is with the German girl scientist on board - which is kind of nauseating - but overall, the film is a favorite.

Classical music lovers will take note of the music score by Ferde Grofe, better know for his Grand Canyon Suite and other orchestral works.