FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS

FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1960 ) Director: Kurt Maetzig.

In the year 1985 an international expedition takes off for Venus after it is discovered that an explosion on Earth was actually the crash landing of a Venusian spaceship many years ago. On Venus they learn that the planet suffered some kind of catastrophe, and while exploring the fascinating Venusian landscape try to figure out if anyone or thing is left alive and how the creatures communicated. The main figures are the scientist Durand (Michail N. Postnikova), Brinkmann, who acts as a scout (Gunther Simon), Dr. Tchen-Yu (Tang Hua-Ta), and the lady doctor, Sumiko (Yoko Tani). There's an R2D2 type of robot years before Star Wars, and a power station that emits a kind of living ooze. Despite the fact that the film ignores the scientific realities of Venus, it has some interesting ideas, is suspenseful and fast-paced, and is fairly intelligent. The crew work well together without the "attitude" that you see among crews in movies made today.

Verdict: Worth a look. **1/2.