Forbidden Planet

By W.J. Stuart

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374424454
• ISBN13: 9780374424459
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Sunburst
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.5" x 5.3"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Can we stop Morbius before it is too late?

In the year 2371, a cruiser arrives at the planet Altair-4 to investigate the disappearance of an earlier mission. A mysterious voice warns them off before it is too late. Consider this book a novelization of the movie. However, it fits the conditions much better than the movie, and a point is made that the movie overlooked or ignored. If you are looking for this book written by Philip MacDonald, under the pseudonym W. J. Stuart, you probably have seen the 1956 movie. The book has better characterization and plot details; it tells you what each character is thinking, so you do not have to guess from facial expressions. The bulk of the story matches the movie, with one big exception. What seems to be overlooked is the WHOLE premise of the story. The animals are contemporary, not dinosaurs or wooly mammoths. In the movie, the Krell brought the animals back from Earth over 1 million years ago (of course, that was not that long ago). In the movie, the great machine can transport material in any quantity and shape anywhere. The animals were contemporary because Morbius CREATED them from memory. The real threat is only in the book. Morbius was not moving matter around, and the Krell was not interested in moving “matter” to that end. Although that is what Morbius told the space crew, he and the Krell were creating life.

The Same, Yet Different

The year, as I write this, is the 50th anniversary of the classic sci-fi movie "Forbidden Planet". Yet I did not realize till a few months ago that there existed a corresponding book. While both follow -- broadly speaking -- the same basic plot, there are some significant differences in details and in the final revelation of just what Morbius (and the Krell) were up to. The book is written from the alternating points of view of Doc Ostrow and Commander Adams, except for one central chapter told by Morbius. This device allows the motivations and inner thoughts of these characters to become clearer. Ostrow's first chapter begins prior to the point at which the film starts, and describes the rough ride accompanying the ship's first major deceleration as it approaches Altair IV. The "second-grade deceleration" as they enter the planet's atmosphere became the final hyperspace jump of the movie. The harrowing ride in Robby's "taxi" to Morbius's home is described in detail -- these scenes were omitted from the film for budgetary reasons, according to an extensive and fascinating article on the making of "Forbidden Planet" published in the magazine Cinefantastique. Another point where the book diverges from the film is where Adams and Ostrow sneak back to spy on the house, believing Morbius's accomplishments must have had outside assistance -- possibly unseen, secretive Altairans. As in the movie, the ship's characters are obvious to us today as 1950's military types (as portrayed in the movies, anyway) transplanted into the future. One example, jarring even by today's standards, is when Jerry Farman pulls out a cigarette and begins to smoke in Morbius's living room -- without even asking permission! (And Morbius doesn't object.) The presence of earth-like animals is given an entirely different explanation from the film's -- I won't spoil it by revealing it here, but it does relate to the final revelation mentioned above. W.J. Stuart's story is well written, if not quite the equal of those of the classic science fiction writers. The book differs enough from the film that it is more than a mere transcription of it, and I recommend it as a must-read for all who, like me, are zealous fans of the film.

Can we stop Morbius before it is too late?

In the year, 2371 a cruiser arrives at the planet Altair-4 to investigate the disappearance of an earlier mission. A mysterious voice warns them off before it is too late. Consider this book a novelization of the movie. However, it fits the conditions much better than the movie and a point is made that the movie overlooked or ignored. If you are looking for this book written by Philip MacDonald, under the pseudonym W. J. Stuart, you probably have seen the (1956) movie. The book has better characterization and plot details; it tells you want each character is thinking, so you do not have to guess from facial expressions. The bulk of the story matches with movie with one big exception. What seems to be overlooked is the WHOLE premise of the story. The animals are contemporary, not dinosaurs or wooly mammoths. In the movie, the Krell brought the animals back from Earth over 1 million years ago (of course, that was not that long ago). In the movie, the great machine can transport material in any quantity and shapes anywhere. The animals were contemporary because Morbius CREATED them from memory. The real threat is only in the book. Morbius was not moving matter around and the Krell were not interested in moving matter to that end. Although that is what Morbius told the space crew, he and The Krell were creating life. Forbidden Planet [Blu-ray]

STILL GREAT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

I saw Forbidden Planet when it first came out in 1956 and believe it is among the top three sf films ever made. I have the VHS Remastered Edition, the DVD and the first VHS release. the VHS Remastered is better than the DVD re film transfer, by the way.Right after I saw the movie in 1956 I obtained the book. I am trying to get a hardcover copy now. The film has obvious parallels to Shakespeare's The Tempest (which I also have as well as various critical essays).Robby's debut was great and he stole the film (I have a nice 12" Robby model and a large, framed Planet poster). Robby, by the way, has two Web sites of his own. Full-size (7-foot articulated reproductions) are made here in Los Angeles.Walter Pidgeon was tremendous as Morbius and Isure would like to see a remake of Planet utilizing today's technology, with, say, Michael Caine as Morbius . . . Dr. Robert Moog, with whom I recently conversed, is building Theremins these days.I have run into a lot of sites that claim that this film was the inspiration for Star Trek. I don't think so (although it certainly figured in).Try reading A.E. Van Vogt'sVoyage of the Space Beagle (originally published in "Triad") if you doubt my position . . .John Bartok Bastian, CEOFEAR NOT ENTERPRISES N.A.

A difinitive view of human egocentric struggle to aspire!

"FORBIDDEN PLANET" is a wonderful work as it holds for the reader an insight and challenge that each human must confront. It is a timeless work that even after 40+ years holds reader and viewer in a delema of moral and ethical paradox. Simplistic in its approach but keenly relevent. Could this be our future?