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Robinson Crusoe on Mars

  • 1964
  • Approved
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964)
Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet.
Play trailer4:02
1 Video
36 Photos
Space Sci-FiSurvivalAdventureSci-Fi

Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet.Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet.Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet.

  • Director
    • Byron Haskin
  • Writers
    • Ib Melchior
    • John C. Higgins
    • Daniel Defoe
  • Stars
    • Paul Mantee
    • Victor Lundin
    • Adam West
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    7.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Byron Haskin
    • Writers
      • Ib Melchior
      • John C. Higgins
      • Daniel Defoe
    • Stars
      • Paul Mantee
      • Victor Lundin
      • Adam West
    • 141User reviews
    • 83Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 4:02
    Trailer

    Photos36

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    Top cast4

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    Paul Mantee
    Paul Mantee
    • Cmdr. Christopher Draper
    Victor Lundin
    Victor Lundin
    • Friday
    Adam West
    Adam West
    • Col. Dan McReady
    The Woolly Monkey
    The Woolly Monkey
    • Mona
    • Director
      • Byron Haskin
    • Writers
      • Ib Melchior
      • John C. Higgins
      • Daniel Defoe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews141

    6.47.4K
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    Featured reviews

    6innocuous

    WAAAAAY ahead of its time!

    Even though this movie was made in 1964, it puts to shame the more recent (and astronomically more expensive) "Mission to Mars" and "Red Planet".

    The characters act much more like real people/enslaved extraterrestrials than was common in sci-fi films of that era. Mantee is well-trained and resourceful, handling most problems (with the exception of his forced isolation) with reasonable aplomb. He is much closer to what we expect an astronaut to be than the ridiculous characters from MtM and RP.

    The equipment is also a notch above the usual 60s fare, with real cables, actual dials and knobs, and that utilitarian look so common in military hardware. I have to give this film and extra half-star just for the realistic technology.

    Overall, a good, solid sci-fi film from the golden age. Like many others, I'm waiting for the DVD.

    *** out of *****
    BaronBl00d

    Strange New World

    What vistas are left for man to explore? The first answer usually shot back quickly is space, and in the 1950's and 60's space was the place to be the subject of countless science fiction films. Many of these films were little else than pure hokum or a means to show exploitation, but Robinson Crusoe on Mars was not either of those. This little film(little in that it receives little recognition for its obvious merits) tells how one man and his monkey survive the rigours of life on the angry red planet. Paul Mantee plays the protagonist that crash lands on Mars with simian friend Mona. He must learn to live using the resources of the planet. His exploration and discoveries are very much like what Daniel Defoe's titular character Robinson Crusoe had to go through under very different circumstances on an island. I guess I am one of the few reviewers that actually likes the title, as I think is a wonderful and very apt allusion employed. Anyway, the methods of exploration and discovery used by Mantee are extremely creative and original(although have little scientific merit) and we the audience find ourselves caught up in his plight to survive. I had heard many things about this film before I got a chance to watch it, and I must say that I am most impressed with its scope and vision, its underlying theme about the inner strength of man's need and will to survive and create, and its almost claustrophobic atmosphere despite being filmed in wide open spaces.
    JSPrine

    Much better than the title suggests!

    Beautifully filmed in Death Valley, a low budget didn't hurt this fine movie, which was crafted with intelligence, wit, and imagination.

    Paul Mantee stars as the survivor of an ill-fated voyage to Mars, and he plays his role with zest, humor, and gritty determination to survive despite the long odds against him.

    Nicely adapted from the classic tale, this movie stands the test of time; despite its being released in 1964, it has a uniquely authentic look and feel, despite the dated hardware.

    It's a good movie for the kids (they'll probably fall in love with Mona the monkey).

    Best of all, this movie leaves you with a satisfied, thumbs-up smile when the ending credits roll, and lots of movies with bigger stars and more lavish budgets just don't do as well.

    I rate it 8.5 out of 10
    7shank6

    Good flick!!!

    I've got to say this movie was ahead of its time. The story is solid, and the acting first rate. Paul Mantee portrays the isolation on Mars perfectly. The back drops and special effects are superb and don't overtake the acting. I've seen it a million times, but whenever it's on AMC or Turner I have to catch some if not all of it!!
    Sargebri

    An Interesting Concept

    As we get closer to traveling to other planets, this is one story that could wind up being real. This story pretty much follows the original Robinson Crusoe story, only it takes place on another planet and not on a desert island. Paul Mantee puts in a credible performance as the astronaut who must learn how to cope without being around his fellow man. The scene that is especially interesting is when he hallucinates after getting food poisoning and seeing his dead fellow crew member. This shows the effect that isolation can have on a person and how it can drive a person mad. Luckily he did find a companion in the alien he named Friday. I recommend this film heartily.

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    Related interests

    Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    Space Sci-Fi
    Society of the Snow (2023)
    Survival
    Still frame
    Adventure
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scenes in which Mona the monkey imitates Victor Lundin's agonized gestures whenever the alien masters activated the slave bracelets were not something the monkey was taught to do. It began to imitate the actor during these scenes, and the director decided to film these moments.
    • Goofs
      When Draper records his first log entry, at one point he says that his supplies will get him by "for about fifteen days". His lips, however, mouth a different number and you can clearly hear that this part was dubbed in later.
    • Quotes

      Draper: How long have you had these things on?

      Friday: Sixty-two years.

      Draper: How old are you?

      Friday: Seventy eight.

    • Alternate versions
      The BBFC website for the original UK theatrical release lists a running time of just 80 minutes. This suggests the film was heavily cut on its original release as the full theatrical running time is 106 minutes.
    • Connections
      Featured in Terminus... the Theater of Science Fiction: Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1973)

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Robinson Crusoe on Mars?Powered by Alexa
    • Daniel Defoe and Rex Gordon

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Robinson Crusoe en Marte
    • Filming locations
      • Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Aubrey Schenck Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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