Mission Stardust

Lore & Background

In the film, Major Perry Rhodan leads a four-man mission to the Moon on the rocketship Stardust to find a radioactive material more powerful than uranium. On the Moon, they discover a stranded Arkonide spaceship with Commander Thora and scientist Crest, who is suffering from leukemia. The Earthmen bring a doctor from Earth to cure Crest, but a traitor among the crew aids a crime lord who kidnaps Thora to gain Arkonide technology. Crest provides Rhodan and Bull with Arkonide technology to rescue Thora and the real doctor, who cures Crest. The crew leaves the Moon, promising to return with repair materials.

Reader's Guide

Mission Stardust is notable as an early film adaptation of the Perry Rhodan series, a popular German science fiction franchise. The film received mixed reviews; a contemporary Variety review noted the dubbing was 'only fair' and special effects were 'crude,' but praised the film score. Retrospective reviewer Gary Westfahl called it 'one of the era's most reviled genre films,' citing shoddy special effects and a resemblance to Saturday afternoon serials. The film had multiple release titles and running times across Italy, West Germany, and Spain, reflecting its international distribution.

Did You Know?

• The film opened in Rome in August 1967 under the title '4... 3... 2... 1... morte' with a 95-minute running time.
• It was later released in West Germany in October 1967 as 'Perry Rhodan--SOS aus dem Weltall' with a 79-minute running time.
• The cast includes Lang Jeffries as Perry Rhodan and Essy Persson as Thora.
• A contemporary Variety review praised the film score by Anton G. Abril.