Forbidden Planet (DVD, 2006, 2 - Disc Set 50th Anniversay Edition)

This is my take on the 2006 DVD 20th anniversary two-disc special edition set.

This set is for people who have loved this movie or the whole 1950s scifi movie genre. If you don't enjoy these things, then you were possibly born too late. :)

An expository viewing sequence might go like this:

1. DISC 2 special feature documentary WATCH THE SKIES
This is narrated by Spielberg, Lucas and other notables. It includes scenes from vintage movies of those times and discussions of major themes: nuclear age fears, flying saucer frenzy, giantized animals (and one humanform plant from THE THING), space girl fantasies, wicked scientists and good soldiers, wicked soldiers and good scientists, missions of peace, missions of destruction, lots of other stuff. I must protest common terminology (and Spielberg at one point): beings from other worlds arriving on Earth without passports and visas are rightly called "aliens"; when humans arrive similarly on other worlds, it is they who are the aliens. This was an extant documentary film, but I wish it had included the breathtaking art/animation scenes of the destruction of the Metalunan capital city from THIS ISLAND EARTH. If they had done so, they could have juxtaposed it nicely with the destruction of L.A. in WAR OF THE WORLDS. Both of these movies were out in 1954 {correction: Forgive my sloppiness! WOTW is given as 1953, TIE as 1955, on imdb.com}. Even so, I think this film is an excellent survey of the subject.

2. DISC 2 special feature documentary AMAZING!
This tells of the making of FORBIDDEN PLANET. Cast members and artists explain the designs in some detail. In particular: Robbie the robot, planetscape for planet Altair 4, the mindboggling Krell machine, influences on the Star Trek series, the wonderful electronic filmscore by the Barrons. I thought it interesting how the crew thwarted inevitable budget cuts by completing large sets preemptorily.

3. DISC 2 special feature documentary ROBBIE THE ROBOT.
Robbie is every kid's favorite player in FORBIDDEN PLANET (no contest). This film is an extension of the AMAZING! documentary to talk about Robbie in particular. Robbie looks great and the voice of Robbie adds a wonderful touch of Wodehouse's Jeeves to the character.

4. DISC 1 Restored full-length feature film FORBIDDEN PLANET in CinemaScope aspect.
There is too much to say about this movie. Let me just use phrases: Robbie, the SpaceCruiser C-57D, Leslie Nielsen as a dashing and straight-dramatic ship commander, Beautiful/wonderful Anne Francis and her great outfits, the ominous theme of interior monstrosity. "We are all part monster".
Check out imdb.com for more details.

5. DISC 2 Feature Film THE INVISIBLE BOY black&white.
This is Robbie the robot's second film. I think there are some interesting parallels between the self-centered super-computer villain of this movie and the out-of-control Krell machine of FORBIDDEN PLANET.

6. DISC 1 TV episode of THE THIN MAN.
Robbie appears as guest here and plays the suspect in a case of murder. Nick Charles proves Robbie innocent. Robbie finally gets to carry a woman by carrying Nora Charles. The inevitable Asta is there.

The usual special trailers, lost scenes, test scenes and promos are included.

great classic movie. have not seen movie in twenty years. in a class of its own. great movie far beyond its time.