This “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD and “bonus features” Blu-ray from Arrow Video will be available at all retailers on September 29th.
The 1950s were a golden age for science-fiction at the cinema. If you’re a genre enthusiast, then you’re likely already aware of Forbidden Planet, a classic that presented a new, heightened approach to storytelling (which was actually an old tale, but one not used in sci-fi), as well as fantastic visions of a far-away world. It also introduced audiences around the world to the iconic Robby the Robot. The film had the backing of MGM, and even though it wasn’t a big-budgeted production, was still treated as more of an “event” picture, possessing more elaborate effects work than seen in other titles of its ilk. In recent years, the movie has been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry for its importance in cinema history.
Arrow Video is now presenting the movie as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD set containing the feature in the highest quality format, along with a Blu-ray of new and archival bonus features that include a second movie. And in case you don’t have a 4K set up, you can also pick up a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of the movie. Naturally, this release contains a new 4K picture restoration from the original 35mm camera negative. It is presented in Dolby Vision, and in its intended 2.55:1 ultra-widescreen aspect ratio.
For those who haven’t seen the movie, the plot is set in the 23rd century, where a crew of human space explorers traveling in a flying saucer attempting to reach distant planet Altair IV. They are investigating a previous colonization ship and crew who landed there decades ago and were never heard from again. Commander John J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen), Lieutenant ‘Doc’ Ostrow (Warren Stevens), and the crew make a dangerous landing and do find signs of life. They encounter Dr. Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), the only survivor from the mission, as well as his charming daughter Alta (Anne Francis), and the looming but helpful Robby the Robot. The isolated trio live in a lavish home and green space on the otherwise rock and desert-ridden island. Morbius explains that there was once highly intelligent life on the planet, but that the species perished before their arrival.
The same fate befell his crew, who were attacked and killed by a monstrous, invisible force. The scientist’s wife passed later, leaving only himself and his daughter. He boasts that, in his studies of the aliens who once lived there, his intelligence has skyrocketed. He warns that there is no reason for the Commander and his crew to remain, unless they want to die horribly as well. Adams and the others are skeptical of the scientist, but they change their tune when an invisible beast attacks the ship and starts picking off the new arrivals. Adams and the Doc investigate Morbius’s claims, eventually discovering the actual cause of the terrifying planetary creature.
Again, the movie is iconic for many reasons. Earlier sci-fi pictures were largely geared for teens, with only a few, lower-budgeted exceptions. This was a grander production with impressive planetary and interplanetary vistas. The attack scenes with the invisible beast are still fantastic to behold, as are the impressive sets and visuals in general. This picture also wows by focusing on its adult characters, who discuss bigger ideas and themes than simply how to stop a strange beast (although that does occur as well). There’s some humor too, as Robby displays many skills, including an incredible knack for being able to copy and print any item he encounters. His efforts to please the ship’s cook results in a silly subplot about replicating gallons of booze. Admittedly, it’s corny compared to the rest of the film, but is still amusing to watch.
Spoiler alert… the source of the creature ultimately comes from the Id of the arrogant scientist. After raising his brain matter, it seems that the character’s hidden aggressive subconscious has taken on a monstrous independent form. It all comes from theories that were developed by Sigmund Freud and it works well within the story. This leads to an impressive climax with the survivors attempting to evade the monster, and Morbius learning that he is, in fact, responsible for its creation.
It’s played with a straight face and, after seventy years, is definitely a product of its era, but should be admired for ushering in many elements in science-fiction cinema that are now staples of the genre. This is a great film and one that any person who admires the genre should pick up.
As expected, the 4K image on display is basically the best that this title has ever been given. There are a lot of old-fashioned effects and optical work in the film, so there is a slight, natural grain field on most of the picture. But it’s nothing distracting. And the big attack scene, in which the monster is electrocuted while pursuing the crew and displays a visible outline, looks fantastic. The finale features a melting metallic door that is remarkably sharp, and the same goes for even some of the matte paintings and other effects. It is also great to see so much clarity on Robby the Robot, with all of its spinning parts, which this new transfer highlights. Overall, this is an impressive-looking disc.
And there are a ton of fantastic extras. There is a fun commentary track with film historians Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw. They’re fans of the movie and go into detail about the genre and how this picture changed everything for science-fiction filmmaking. You’ll note in all of the extras that the film is actually a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and they discuss the story elements, and how the cribbing actually elevated the picture from the typical B-movie story approach. The pair also discuss the cast and careers of those involved, noting that while this was a project from major studio MGM, it still wasn’t as big of a feature as the studio musicals (using a director more known for his Lassie pictures than epic blockbusters). There is also a discussion of Neilsen’s early career before his comedic turn, and much more analysis of the movie and cast.
The accompanying Blu-ray contains an interesting new piece about the electronic score for the film, which was the first of its kind and made a lasting impression. The lengthy archival documentary “Watch the Skies!” is a phenomenal look at science-fiction pictures of the 1950s and provides the thoughts of many titles by directors James Cameron, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott. They share their opinions on several titles from the era, including the ones they liked, and those they were less-enamored of. It’s a fascinating piece.
The same goes for an archival documentary on the making-of the movie, in which more filmmakers, including John Landis, Joe Dante, and others express their analysis of the picture and how it changed the genre. Technicians also discuss all the wonderful effects work, and the stars share their memories as well, resulting in an informative and enlightening piece. There is also a long examination of Robby the Robot. In the past, most film robots had a boxy look, but this picture went to great pains to create something more convincing and exciting for audiences. It worked, and viewers will see all that went into building Robby.
Additionally, you’ll get deleted scenes and lost footage from the movie, including special effects tests that were eventually tinkered with in order to get the final iconic effects work in the film looking their best.
One of the big bonuses is the inclusion of the feature The Invisible Boy (1957), a kid-friendly effort about Timmie (Richard Eyer), a young boy whose father (Philip Abbott) is toiling on a government supercomputer. The child is largely ignored by his workaholic dad, and the computer takes notice, giving the kid an intelligence boost. Timmie eventually finds Robby the Robot at the lab and revitalizes him. As it turns out, the computer is a sinister threat, attempting to take over the world using Robby. Thankfully, the robot’s affection for his young friend results in the machinery usurping its master, while the humans destroy the computer.
This isn’t a great movie. Robby once again shines, but the story is corny, veering between humor and a deadly plot to destroy the world. And the film includes some hilariously out-of-date moments. When Timmie misbehaves, becoming invisible and causing problems for his parents, his dad chases him around the bedroom, catches him and smacks him around, getting a couple of extra slaps for good measure at the end of the scene. It’s definitely a product of its era, but is an interesting curiosity that provides some B-movie entertainment. This is a low-budget, black and white effort, but the image is also quite clean and it looks vastly sharper than earlier editions.
Additionally, an episode of the TV mystery series The Thin Man is included, which also features Robby the Robot as a murder suspect. In “Robot Client” (1958), husband and wife crime-solvers (played by Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk) visit a scientist developing Robby for use with radioactive materials. When one of the team is murdered, the remote-controlled robot is blamed, but the detectives prove that the intimidating Robby is too bulky to have committed the crime and that a human is responsible. It’s a fun, goofy little 30-minute episode.
If that wasn’t enough, there are two excerpts from the MGM Parade featuring the movie, the original shooting script, a trailer, and image galleries for the movie.
As for the packaging, you’ll receive a reversible sleeve with original artwork options, including that fantastic one-sheet poster of the feature which features Robby carrying a female in his arms (which I don’t think actually occurs in the movie), a double-sided fold-out poster of the above material, and a booklet with more writing on the film and its importance.
Forbidden Planet is a certified classic and this “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release treats it as such, with a sharper and clearer picture, all the best archival bonuses that have been released over the years in relation to the movie, and new extras that add even more insight into the production. So, all science-fiction fans are advised to pick it up whenever they have the opportunity.
