I enjoyed this film immensely when it came out. I was about 10 years old when I saw it in the theater and it stayed in my mind for decades. Like most sci-fi of the era, the film is certainly dated. The science was inaccurate even at the time. The small-and-adorable animal side-kick seems a bit silly but was standard fare for the period (a duck in "Journey to the Center of the Earth", a poodle in "Lost World". a seal in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"), I presume to add a little levity and something for the kids to watch during the boring parts.
All that being said, however, this is and enjoyable, seriously done and well-performed piece of entertainment. The starkness of the landscape and the portrayal of lonely, hopeless abandonment is superbly handled. The developing bromance between the human scientist-astronaut and his primitive humanoid companion was credible and added warmth to a cold, inhospitable environment.
I taped this off of TV onto a long-lost VHS tape about 25 years ago. Now I see that it is available on DVD and will give it some serious consideration.
All that being said, however, this is and enjoyable, seriously done and well-performed piece of entertainment. The starkness of the landscape and the portrayal of lonely, hopeless abandonment is superbly handled. The developing bromance between the human scientist-astronaut and his primitive humanoid companion was credible and added warmth to a cold, inhospitable environment.
I taped this off of TV onto a long-lost VHS tape about 25 years ago. Now I see that it is available on DVD and will give it some serious consideration.