Why you need to watch Forbidden Planet (1956)

Not only is it one of the most famous Science Fiction movies of all time, but for many people it still ranks as the best, particularly as it features a great story, excellent imagery and wonderful production design. So if you haven't seen the film before and want to know what all the fuss is about, then this five minute (spoiler free) summary will tell you why you really need to watch it.

PRODUCER'S NOTE: there is an error at 02:13 in that it's stated the film doesn't explain where all the animals come from. This is an error as it's mentioned by Morbius The Krell collected the animals from old Earth. This was our bad.

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[sneakyrodent]

The scene of the monster from the ID trying to break through the defence screen is still awesome today.

[ohrick]

Two years ago, my grandson had a bunch of boys overnight from his Little League team. I asked if they wanted to see a “Space movie” and some had said, they’ve seen them all, and started naming all the modern ones. I said, I’ll bet you’ve never seen this one. I wondered how they would respond to old special effects, compared to what they’ve grown up with… They were glued silently from the beginning. Loved Robbie the Robot. We’re scared during the ID sneaking in, and the sound effects mesmerized them. I loved watching how intent they were. Just goes to remind us that a good story is what counts. None of their parents had seen it, when they started raving about “Forbidden Planet” when picked up.

[endlessperceptions]

I saw Forbidden Planet at the theater when it first came out and it blew me away. It truly set the standard for so many sci fi movies afterwards. Great review.

[RamZar]

“Forbidden Planet” is still one of the best sci-fi movies of all time and not just the 1950s.

[rickcurtis]

An amazing movie. This and "The Time Machine" with Rod Taylor were my favorites.

[johnduval]

My absolute all time Science Fiction movie. My dad took me to see it when it was released 1956, i was ten. Never showed up on tv that i can remember. When it finally showed up on DVD i just had to have it. The visuals were of course astounding for that era and or my money mostly still hold up today. What really blew me away was the soundtrack by the Barrons’. What little annotation. I could find on the soundtrack creation was fairly weak. Decades later when i discovered modular synthesis (Serg Modular) i was able to make a weak attempt at creating those tonalities. Unbelievable that some of my first efforts reached the ears of Bebe Barron through a friend before she pasted. She liked what she heard. I can die now…LOL. . .for my money this is the best SciFi movie every made. Straight up.

[tubedude]

Child of the 50's... this movie and The Day The Earth Stood Still are still 2 of the best Sci-Fi movies ever!

[johnclark]

One of the best SCi Fi films ever, went to see it in 56, I was 13 then, set the bar for all
to follow.

[CaptRobertApril]

There is a brief mention by Morbius that the Krell had visited Earth in the ancient past and brought back various specimens, including animals.

[michaeljdauben]

It was not only a great movie to watch, but you can often see influences from and homages to Forbidden Planet in subsequent SF productions. For example, I always thought the framing of Kirk, Spock and McCoy as the central characters of Star Trek must have been at least partially inspired by the captain, first officer, and doctor from Forbidden Planet.

Another example can be seen in The Phantom Menace, when the Jedi are attempting to use a light saber to cut their way into the ship's bridge and its obvious similarity to the "monster" from Forbidden Planet trying to break into the Krell control room.

[gglowe]

Probably my favourite sci-fi film. So stylish, intelligent, beautifully produced, etc. Just perfect.

[richardjohnson]

The best science fiction movie ever. I suppose I've seen it half a hundred times or more in the last 50-60 years. I don't even know when I first saw it but I'm sure it would have been on a black and white TV.

[Leningrad_Underground]

I was under the impression that it is tenuously based on "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare. Dr. Mobius is "Prospero". and Altera his daughter, "Mirander" the Creature from the "Id" is Caliban. Robbie the robot is "Ariel" Alonso and the other characters being the various crew members, Stephano the kings drunken butler .I see a couple of shots of a steward from the crew with an ample supply of booze. I could be wrong. and I cannot for the life of me remember how or when I first came across this interpretation. Cool movie though I rembembr seeing it as a child many years ago.

[scotth]

As an adolescent, my main motivation to watch this was those posters of Anne Francis. But when I saw the flying saucer, invisible monster, and ray guns, and great story, I began to appreciate it for other reasons. But still Anne Francis.

[johnbgood]

I first saw Forbidden Planet on TV back in 1964 or 65. I've probably watched it at least fifty times since then. It's a true classic I never get tired of.

[New-tumn]

The handling of the Krell is so intriguingly well done. Not just the production design of their labs, and the great machine, but their tragic fate as well.

[daviddura]

saw it in 1956 as a 7 year old and still remember being frightened, thrilled and having it locked into my memories... esspecially the SOUNDS!

[AnotherAmateurAstronomer]

One of my favorite science fiction movies. Still holds up today.

[bikeboy]

Such a ground breaking movie, it must have blown audiences away in 1956.

[kentonkirkpatrick]

An interesting technical fact is that Robbie the Robot was created before the advent of transistors. This is why his "internal computer" used the relays located on his "face". You can see (and hear) them actuating before he speaks or performs tasks.