Himmelskibet (film)
Encyclopedia
Himmelskibet , Excelsior / A Trip to Mars / Das Himmelschiff is a 1918
Danish
film about a trip to Mars
. In 2006, the film was restored and re-released on DVD by the Danish Film Institute
.
Phil Hardy
says it is "the film that marked the beginning of the space opera
subgenre of science fiction," but notes that Denmark did not make another science fiction film until Reptilicus
in 1962.
1918 in film
The year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
film about a trip to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
. In 2006, the film was restored and re-released on DVD by the Danish Film Institute
Danish Film Institute
The Danish Film Institute is the national Danish agency responsible for supporting and encouraging film and cinema culture, and for conserving these in the national interest....
.
Phil Hardy
Phil Hardy (journalist)
Phil Hardy is an English film and music industry journalist. He was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire in 1945 and studied at the University of Sussex, 1964-1969, during which time he was a visiting student at the Berkeley campus of the University of California . At Sussex he started The Brighton Film...
says it is "the film that marked the beginning of the space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
subgenre of science fiction," but notes that Denmark did not make another science fiction film until Reptilicus
Reptilicus
Reptilicus, a giant monster film about a fictional prehistoric reptile, is a Danish-American co-production, produced by American International Pictures and Saga Studios, and is upon close examination two distinctly different films helmed by two different directors.The original version, which was...
in 1962.
Cast (in alphabetical order)
- Nils AstherNils AstherNils Anton Alfhild Asther was a Danish-born Swedish actor active in Hollywood from 1926 to the mid 1950s, known for his beautiful face and often called "the male Greta Garbo"...
... Martian citizen - Philip Bech ... Martian leader - wise man
- Alf Blutecher ... Dr. Krafft, Avantis' friend
- Frederik Jacobsen ... Professor Dubius
- Lilly Jacobson ... Marya, Martian leader's daughter
- Svend Kornbech ... David Dane, American
- Nicolai Neiiendam ... Professor Planetaros, astronomer
- Alfred Osmund ... Martian priest
- Zanny Petersen ... Corona, Avanti's sister
- Gunnar Tolnæs ... Avanti Planetaros, sea captain
