Conquest of Space

Lore & Background

The film's story concerns the first flight to Mars, carrying a crew of five, launched from Earth orbit near 'The Wheel,' humankind's first space station. The crew includes Colonel Samuel T. Merritt, his son Captain Barney Merritt, Sgt. Mahoney, Sgt. Fodor, and Dr. George Fenton. During the journey, Colonel Merritt's undiagnosed space fatigue affects his judgment, leading to a collision with debris that kills Sgt. Fodor. Later, Colonel Merritt attempts to crash the spaceship, believing the mission violates God's laws, and is killed in a struggle with his son.

Reader's Guide

Conquest of Space was intended to portray space travel as realistically as possible, with technical advice from Wernher von Braun, who was on set throughout production. The film's title comes from the 1949 nonfiction book by Willy Ley and Chesley Bonestell, and its production design was modeled on von Braun's concepts and Bonestell's space paintings. Critical reception varied: upon release, The New York Times praised the special effects but was disparaging of the storyline. Later critics, such as Roy Kinnard, noted that the film stands above many 1950s science-fiction films in its visual effects, though blue screen mattes were crude by later standards. The film's budget was $1.5 million, and it did not use major stars.

Did You Know?

• The film's title is from the 1949 nonfiction book The Conquest of Space by Willy Ley and Chesley Bonestell.
• Wernher von Braun served as a technical advisor and was on the set throughout filming.
• The film's budget was $1.5 million, and Paramount decided not to use stars.
• The special effects were handled by John P. Fulton, who later parted the Red Sea in the 1956 film The Ten Commandments.