MovieChat Forums > Der schweigende Stern (1962) Discussion > This film--or films--doesn't get a fair ...

This film--or films--doesn't get a fair shake in the IMDB ratings

posted 15 years ago by Coolestmovies
6 replies | jump to latest

There are to DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT versions of this film: the East German original, released a few years back in Region 1 as part of the DEFA Collection, and the dubbed, edited, de-subtextualized, full-screen drive-in fodder known as FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS. Because the vast majority of people who've seen this film have seen the latter version, it's a crying shame that the film, listed in IMDB under it's true German title, is rated predominantly based on the inferior cut-down version that has been floating around late night TV, dollar-bin DVDs and Mystery Science Theater for the last couple of decades.

Frankly this film should have TWO entries in the IMDB, so that people could properly rate the film they actually saw, thus giving the U.S. version low marks while allowing it's vastly superior German progenitor to accumulate some higher grades.

Oh well, maybe in another lifetime. :(

[–] twelvepointnine 15 years ago

I just watched the German original and was astonished by the low rating on IMDB. It's not a masterpiece of sci-fi IMHO, but the 3/10 isn't a fair rating either. The general look and effects didn't stand the test of time too well, yet the story is solid and timeless and definitely deserves the attention of the post-2000 audience. Not out of ostalgic emotions or curiosity, but because it's simply a well made humanist film. A 7/10.

Fear is the mother of morality.

[–] seashellz 12 years ago

i thought the effects and set design were fantastic for 1959-And from East Germany

[–] FCA1975 12 years ago

Not to mention the international cast and numerous roles that were non-stereotypical. A feat great even by today standards.

[–] Squirrel-5 14 years ago

Right on!

I'm an MST3K fan, and I love the original version of this film.

[–] mlaughlin22 13 years ago

Me too I love watching this film .

[–] bluerisk 10 years ago

Maybe it's because many know only the heavily cut version in which major elements were deleted or altered. The entire background story of the Japanese doctor, the actual nationality of the crew members etc. pp.

Ich bin kein ausgeklügelt Buch, ich bin ein Mensch mit seinem Widerspruch.
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer