There's a lot to hate about this movie -- the cheap FX (e.g. the Flash Gordon models once the "X-80" reaches space); the scientific flaws; the inexplicable plot holes at some points...
Also the futuristic sets seem to borrow heavily from preceding sci-fi hits -- "Forbidden Planet" especially, with all the triangular doors and passageways.
Still, I like this movie because it touches on so many themes or tropes that still exist in most science fiction movies (and books too, for that matter). It mixes and matches some of the best ideas from the Twilight Zone series... in fact, it's like watching an extended episode of TZ!
Examples of ideas:
Destruction of atmosphere (ozone?) -- in this case by nuclear tests
Discovery of hyperluminal/"faster than light" technology, leading to:
Colonization of Mars and Venus (briefly mentioned)
Future history (after 1960) which includes Russian and German scientists
Mutation from radiation (in this movie, cosmic rays)... leading to loss of hearing (the "deaf-mutes") and sterility... deformities are suggested but not seen
Surveillance by a Supreme authority (cameras watching everything)
Telepathy (apparently only the girl "Trirene" has it?)
Time travel (obviously!) -- but no mention of the Grandfather Paradox if the protagonist goes backwards in time in order to change the future
Underground "citadel" for protection from "cosmic plague" as well as from the:
Zombie-like savage mutants on the surface, or kept below in a dungeon
And probably many other concepts as well... many of these ideas are part of every modern Hollywood sci-fi movie.
P.S. The scene where Trirene swims (naked?) in a pool is obviously borrowed from "Forbidden Planet"...
Also the futuristic sets seem to borrow heavily from preceding sci-fi hits -- "Forbidden Planet" especially, with all the triangular doors and passageways.
Still, I like this movie because it touches on so many themes or tropes that still exist in most science fiction movies (and books too, for that matter). It mixes and matches some of the best ideas from the Twilight Zone series... in fact, it's like watching an extended episode of TZ!
Examples of ideas:
Destruction of atmosphere (ozone?) -- in this case by nuclear tests
Discovery of hyperluminal/"faster than light" technology, leading to:
Colonization of Mars and Venus (briefly mentioned)
Future history (after 1960) which includes Russian and German scientists
Mutation from radiation (in this movie, cosmic rays)... leading to loss of hearing (the "deaf-mutes") and sterility... deformities are suggested but not seen
Surveillance by a Supreme authority (cameras watching everything)
Telepathy (apparently only the girl "Trirene" has it?)
Time travel (obviously!) -- but no mention of the Grandfather Paradox if the protagonist goes backwards in time in order to change the future
Underground "citadel" for protection from "cosmic plague" as well as from the:
Zombie-like savage mutants on the surface, or kept below in a dungeon
And probably many other concepts as well... many of these ideas are part of every modern Hollywood sci-fi movie.
P.S. The scene where Trirene swims (naked?) in a pool is obviously borrowed from "Forbidden Planet"...