Unlike most Sci-Fi's of the era, this one had a first class star in Herbert Marshall, and a few popular stars of the day such as William Lundigan and Richard Carlson, Martha Hyer.
Considering when this film was made, it had quite a few historically accurate problems facing science before man went into space. Unlike era sci-fi's that had travel to the stars, and all kinds of monsters from space, this took the short step into the future by tackling getting out of the earth's gravitational pull on a manned mission. The one step at a time type of effort that finally resulted in the moon landings.
Some actual footage of V-2 rocket launches and the type of rocket that sent our first satellite into space was used. Some of the sets however were cheaply made and even for the time seriously dated. As far as the script goes, it was a bit corny, but unlike contemporary films, the characters were believable. Although there was hardly a kiss displayed, Lundigan develops an attachment to the only female scientist in the film. The suspense of the film centers around the secrecy of selecting unmarried candidates to rocket into space and capture a meteor which could provide clues to making future rocket. Three rockets with one pilot each go up, and only one come back with one of the meteors. Of course Lundigan is the sole survivor making for a happy ending for Martha Hyer.
Considering when this film was made, it had quite a few historically accurate problems facing science before man went into space. Unlike era sci-fi's that had travel to the stars, and all kinds of monsters from space, this took the short step into the future by tackling getting out of the earth's gravitational pull on a manned mission. The one step at a time type of effort that finally resulted in the moon landings.
Some actual footage of V-2 rocket launches and the type of rocket that sent our first satellite into space was used. Some of the sets however were cheaply made and even for the time seriously dated. As far as the script goes, it was a bit corny, but unlike contemporary films, the characters were believable. Although there was hardly a kiss displayed, Lundigan develops an attachment to the only female scientist in the film. The suspense of the film centers around the secrecy of selecting unmarried candidates to rocket into space and capture a meteor which could provide clues to making future rocket. Three rockets with one pilot each go up, and only one come back with one of the meteors. Of course Lundigan is the sole survivor making for a happy ending for Martha Hyer.