A Martian is sentenced to visit Earth to cure a selfish man.A Martian is sentenced to visit Earth to cure a selfish man.A Martian is sentenced to visit Earth to cure a selfish man.
Crissie Bell
- Minnie
- (as Miss Chrissie Bell)
E. Holman Clark
- The Messenger
- (as Mr. Holman Clark)
Hubert Willis
- The Tramp
- (as Mr. Hubert Willis)
Charles Hawtrey
- Horace Parker
- (as Mr. Charles Hawtrey)
Kate Tyndall
- Aunt Martha
- (as Miss Kate Tyndall)
Evelyn Beaumont
- Bella
- (uncredited)
R. Crompton
- God of Mars
- (uncredited)
Frank Hector
- Arthur Dicey
- (uncredited)
Tonie Reith
- Wounded Man's Wife
- (uncredited)
B. Stanmore
- Wounded Man
- (uncredited)
Eileen Temple
- Mrs. Claremce
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Wallett Waller(uncredited)
- Writers
- Richard Ganthony(uncredited)
- Wallett Waller
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is believed to be the first full-length science-fiction film made in the UK.
- GoofsSpelling mistakes in the text relating to scenes: befor instead of before/begger instead of beggar and mis-judged instead of misjudged.
Featured review
Of historical interest only
Ramiel (E. Holman Clark), a Martian law-breaker, is sentenced to travel to Earth where he is to "redeem the most selfish of mortals" (Horace Parker, played by Sir Charles Hawtrey). He does so by forcing Parker to experience life as a tramp, during which the wealthy but thoughtless man realizes the value of friendship and kindness. While often cited as Britain's first full-length science-fiction film, 'The Message from Mars' is only nominally science fiction. The 'Martians' could have just as easily been a group of angels (they refer to Earthlings as 'mortals' and "Ramiel" is the name of an archangel in the apocryphal Book of Enoch) and there is no Martian 'technology' contributing to the story (Ramiel simply appears and disappears at will). The film is very slow moving and stagy (not surprising considering its provenance). The acting is typical of the era: lots of exaggerated gestures and posturing (po-faced Ramiel spends most of his time on Earth crossing his arms and frowning in disapproval). The film does mix indoor and outdoor filming and the recently released BFI edition includes the original colour tinting. There are a number of routine substitution splices but the only really interesting 'special effect' is the 'shaking' that Ramiel gives an initially belligerent Parker. The film is often compared to "A Christmas Carol" but unlike Dickens' complex story, Parker needs only to briefly experience life as indigent person to find enlightenment. Hawtrey, who had played Parker in the 1899 stage play is too old for the role of the suitor who thoughtlessly jilts his girlfriend Minnie (he is 55 years old to ingénue Crissie Bell's 23 years). The restored BBC version was scored by Matthew Herbert, and the minimalist machine-music is often out of place and dull. At about 60 minutes in length, 'The Message from Mars' is watchable but will likely only be on any real interest to film historians or to fans of the genre.
helpful•10
- jamesrupert2014
- Dec 23, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Un messaggio da Marte
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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