SPOILERS *** As the title indicates, this was an awesome Jules Verne book, about a trip TO the Moon. In the original story, as someone else has pointed out, it was about sending just a rocket TO THE MOON. Obviously, with the lack of a power source on the moon itself, how could anyone possibly come back?? Stars the amazing Joseph Cotton and George Sanders. Scientist Victor Barbicane (Cotton), accompanied by villain Nicholl (George Sanders), they attempt to make their way to the moon. In spite of numerous plot-holes and a tiny budget, Cotton and Sanders give it their all, and it is reasonably entertaining, as long as you buy into all the shortcomings. Jules Verne croaked in 1905, so he had written out this story YEARS prior to anyone on earth actually going to the moon. and this film was made ten years before the US actually WENT to the moon, so it was still pretty novel to talk about humans actually GOING to the moon in 1958. Debra Paget plays Nicholl's daughter, and at the end, they discuss the trip with "Jules Verne", played by Carl Esmond. Director Haskin had gotten his start in Special Effects, so that may be why he was chosen to direct this. Showing on Turner Classic now and then. IMDb claims there is a two hour version, but I have only seen the 100 minute version.
Review of From the Earth to the Moon
