Assignment: Outer Space (1960) (original Italian title: Space Men) is a science fiction adventure directed by Antonio Margheriti.
Set in the year 2116, the film follows reporter Ray Peterson, assigned to cover life aboard a space station. What begins as routine reporting quickly escalates into a desperate mission when a rogue spaceship threatens Earth. With its imaginative special effects, futuristic vision, and Cold War‑era themes of technology and responsibility, Assignment: Outer Space is a fascinating entry in early European sci‑fi cinema.
Film Details
Title: Assignment: Outer Space (Space Men)
Year: 1960
Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure
Director: Antonio Margheriti
Starring:
Rik Von Nutter as Ray Peterson
Gabriella Farinon as Lucy
David Montresor as George
Archie Savage
Runtime: Approx. 78 minutes
Studio: Titanus
Country: Italy
Format: Black‑and‑white
#AssignmentOuterSpace #RikVanNutter #AntonioMargheriti #SpaceMen #1960sSciFi #EuroSpaceAdventure #RogueSpaceship #ColdWarCinema
Set in the year 2116, the film follows reporter Ray Peterson, assigned to cover life aboard a space station. What begins as routine reporting quickly escalates into a desperate mission when a rogue spaceship threatens Earth. With its imaginative special effects, futuristic vision, and Cold War‑era themes of technology and responsibility, Assignment: Outer Space is a fascinating entry in early European sci‑fi cinema.
Film Details
Title: Assignment: Outer Space (Space Men)
Year: 1960
Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure
Director: Antonio Margheriti
Starring:
Rik Von Nutter as Ray Peterson
Gabriella Farinon as Lucy
David Montresor as George
Archie Savage
Runtime: Approx. 78 minutes
Studio: Titanus
Country: Italy
Format: Black‑and‑white
#AssignmentOuterSpace #RikVanNutter #AntonioMargheriti #SpaceMen #1960sSciFi #EuroSpaceAdventure #RogueSpaceship #ColdWarCinema
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:08This is a playback of a radio taped report of an exclusive feature story for the Planetary
00:00:15Chronicle of New York. Ray Peterson reporting. Dateline December 17th. Year 2116. Spaceship
00:00:26Bravo Zulu 88. Destiny Galaxy M12. Assignment outer space.
00:01:07The editor of my paper assigned me to cover a routine check of infraradiation flux on galaxy
00:01:14M12.
00:01:34The crew members, in order to overcome the earthly gravity, have been subjected to a
00:01:39state of hibernation. That is, the human body had put through a congealing process simulating
00:01:45an apparent death.
00:01:49At a preset time, under the impulses of an electric brain, the heart resumes its normal beat.
00:01:56The lungs begin their regular functioning. The blood flowing evenly again. In short, man
00:02:02is reacquiring his earthly faculties.
00:02:05As long as a substitute scales, then he causes less gas and much damage.
00:02:53To counteract the state of weightlessness caused by lack of gravitation, special magnetic
00:02:58boots are provided to control the balance of space travelers.
00:03:33While the crew and I were still in a state of hibernation, the engineer pilot, Al, reported
00:03:39our approach to international satellite Zulu Extra 3-4.
00:03:45Bravo Zulu 8-8 calling Zulu Extra 3-4. Bravo Zulu 8-8 calling Zulu Extra 3-4, over.
00:03:53Zulu Extra 3-4 to Bravo Zulu 8-8, go ahead.
00:03:56Contact established. Hibernation period finished. Over.
00:04:01Is that you, Al? Hi, Richard.
00:04:04Any news to relay?
00:04:05The usual nausea when awakening, my boy.
00:04:09Bravo Zulu 8-8 has entered orbit of your satellite. Bravo Zulu 8-8 closing electronic brain. Over.
00:04:18Roger. Everything's in your hands again, Al.
00:04:21Thanks for nothing, pal. Hey, we got cargo aboard.
00:04:25We've already been informed. Reporter, eh? Did you wake up yet?
00:04:29Oh, not yet. I haven't brought him his coffee.
00:04:34Bravo Zulu 8-8 requesting your position.
00:04:37Coordinates pi 2-1, over.
00:04:40Okay. I'll send you the reporter as soon as possible. Bravo Zulu 8-8 closing.
00:04:48Hello, Archie. How are you feeling?
00:04:51Man, this time I had a dream. You had a dream? What about?
00:04:55I dreamt I was sleeping.
00:04:59Take over the controls while I wake up the baby.
00:05:03Ah, this is true when we took off. You're saying I'm a lullaby?
00:05:05That's right. Just call me Space Witness.
00:05:09Next time, why don't you just bring a cow along?
00:05:11Yeah, a pacifier would do.
00:05:15Bravo Zulu 8-8 calling extra 3-4. Over.
00:05:19Go ahead, Bravo Zulu 8-8.
00:05:46Go ahead, Bravo Zulu 8-8.
00:06:07To come out of a state of hibernation is an eerie sensation.
00:06:12I didn't know who or where I was until I heard Al's voice.
00:06:17Hi there, spaceman.
00:06:22Hello.
00:06:24This was not my first space flight.
00:06:27Previous assignments for my newspaper had sent me to the moon many times,
00:06:31but never into the vast reaches of deep space.
00:06:37I feared that ten days in a cramped ship with a crew of seven men
00:06:41who would resent a reporter's questions and lack of usefulness
00:06:45might make me an unpopular passenger.
00:06:49The coffin was much too small.
00:06:57Couldn't you have found me a bigger one to sleep in?
00:07:00We didn't have one, leech.
00:07:05Why do you call me that?
00:07:06No offense, kid. It just means that here you're a parasite.
00:07:13Where are we now?
00:07:15Outside.
00:07:16Outside what?
00:07:17Outside everything.
00:07:22Breakfast is served.
00:07:25Bravo, Zulu 88. You're directly in line with us.
00:07:28We'll send you that reporter as soon as possible.
00:07:32Hey, Al. They're asking for the boy.
00:07:36Hey! Hey, Al! Al, what's happening?
00:07:39We're off to a bad start.
00:07:41Calm down, my boy. You'll get along fine. Just control your nerves.
00:07:49There.
00:07:51From now on, you'll be able to hear my instructions.
00:07:54Just remember to regulate your volume now.
00:07:57Hey!
00:07:59You're forgetting the tools of your trade.
00:08:16You're forgetting the tools of your trade.
00:08:17What's the matter, Sonny?
00:08:19Cut it out, Al.
00:08:21Are you scared, Son?
00:08:23Stop treating me like a greenhorn.
00:08:26But that's what you are, my boy.
00:08:28I took the accelerated course before I started on this trip.
00:08:31It probably was too quick.
00:08:34I'm not going to take all the air out of the decompression chamber.
00:08:37You'll have an easier exit.
00:08:39I'll give you a count from 20 to 1.
00:08:42And out you go.
00:08:42I know what to do.
00:08:46Son, you don't know anything yet.
00:08:54Don't touch the metal frame around the hatch.
00:08:57Minus 20.
00:08:59Why? Can you see me?
00:09:01No.
00:09:03But the first time out, they all behaved the same way.
00:09:09Minus 15.
00:09:11India Zulu, 4-1. You ready?
00:09:145...
00:09:151...
00:09:16Wait a second!
00:09:172...
00:09:171...
00:09:18Out you go!
00:09:19Al was absolutely right.
00:09:22I was scared.
00:09:31The artificial satellite is like an island in the sky.
00:09:36In order not to disturb its calculated orbital chart, we lined up 2,000 feet parallel to it.
00:09:43The only way to get there was to float through the terrifying void between us.
00:10:09Keep talking, Al.
00:10:10What do you want to hear?
00:10:12Fairy tale?
00:10:13Explain to me what's going on.
00:10:15That's something you'll have to find out for yourself.
00:10:17You're still afraid?
00:10:19You're still afraid?
00:10:21Of what?
00:10:22I don't know.
00:10:25You're still there?
00:10:26Say something!
00:10:28A chilly sense of emptiness.
00:10:32Do you understand me, Al?
00:10:33Sure, I understand.
00:10:36Every baptism has its mystery, even out here in space.
00:10:40I've never felt so lonely.
00:10:47Hey, Al!
00:10:49Maybe if I try to turn around...
00:10:51I did it!
00:10:53Al!
00:10:55I'm turning!
00:10:57Learn how to...
00:10:58India Zulu 4-1, get back to normal position.
00:11:02You're at the end of your trip.
00:11:22Once aboard Zulu Extra 3-4, I passed through the decompression chamber.
00:11:27I now regained my normal weight because the gravitational area was similar to our Earth's.
00:11:33The reason for this being all space stations rotate around a central axis.
00:11:50In the ship's cabin, I was met by King 116, the doctor in charge of all crew members' physical and
00:11:57mental health.
00:12:00Take off your space suit and report to the commander.
00:12:02He's waiting for you.
00:12:06Hey, what kind of a guy is our reporter?
00:12:09He still smells earthy.
00:12:22Hey!
00:12:24Hey!
00:12:34Hey!
00:12:38Hey!
00:12:40I'm the correspondent Ray Peterson, reporting to the commander.
00:12:45I've heard you're rather famous on Earth.
00:12:47Well, I see my fame has reached the stars.
00:12:51But let me give you a bit of advice.
00:12:53Here among the stars, it is better not to be quite so cocky.
00:12:57You are only here to do a job.
00:13:00Don't worry, that's all I intend to do.
00:13:03On condition that you don't interfere with ours.
00:13:07You've arrived here at a critical moment.
00:13:09So much the better.
00:13:10Peace and tranquility don't have any news value.
00:13:22Sullivan.
00:13:23Yes, sir?
00:13:24How long would it take to reinstall the terminal stages to the spaceship that arrived from Earth just now?
00:13:28That all depends, sir.
00:13:29We only have two mechanics on board.
00:13:31Cancel all rest periods.
00:13:32The ship must be ready as soon as possible.
00:13:33I must go to base 12 on Mars.
00:13:35Yes, sir.
00:13:36You talk about Mars as if it were just down the street.
00:13:41There are no streets here.
00:13:43I firmly oppose your unwelcome visit.
00:13:48Are you trying to flatter me?
00:13:50But the high command refused to listen to me.
00:13:52It's apparent that you have quite a pull there.
00:13:54Not me.
00:13:56But my organization has.
00:13:58Don't forget, Peterson, that everything you put on your tape recorder will have to be sent by me before it's
00:14:03sent back to Earth.
00:14:04Here everything is regulated by machines.
00:14:07You'll find that things are very different here.
00:14:10You may go now.
00:14:11Later on you'll be shown to your quarters.
00:14:22Working crews ready, sir.
00:14:24Any changes?
00:14:28No, Sullivan.
00:14:42Where is everybody going?
00:14:43For a picnic?
00:14:45The working crew is leaving on a space detail.
00:14:48What if I wanted to go along?
00:14:50To get some air?
00:14:52You'd have to go and ask the commander.
00:14:54For authorization.
00:14:56Is it necessary?
00:14:57Absolutely necessary.
00:15:01Okay.
00:15:07Hoping this special detail might make a good story, I went outside, without permission, to observe and photograph it.
00:15:15This special detail was a refueling operation.
00:15:18One of the most dangerous and delicate operations in space flights.
00:15:22The engineers carried an enormous tube from the space station and carefully attached it to a rear valve on our
00:15:29ship.
00:15:32Thousands of gallons of precious neohydrosine were being pumped into our fuel tanks in order for us to go on
00:15:39to Mars.
00:15:44Look out!
00:15:45The meteorite!
00:15:45Suddenly, I saw a fiery ball racing toward the cosmonaut next to me.
00:15:49I pushed him out of the way.
00:15:51But the subsequent reaction caused me to bounce against the connection of the fuel valve, disconnecting it and letting the
00:15:57irreplaceable neohydrosine escape.
00:16:03Close the fuel valve!
00:16:09Close, close the fuel valve!
00:16:12500 gallons of hydrosine.
00:16:19Lost.
00:16:20I'm sorry.
00:16:23furthermore you went without my permission i said i'm sorry even though i saved a man's life
00:16:31you didn't come here to be a hero the damage you have just caused is much more serious than
00:16:38the mere loss of a life evidently commander my way of thinking must seem prehistoric to you
00:16:43i thought nothing was worse than the loss of a human being but then i only saved a number
00:16:48yankee one three i didn't even see his face maybe he hasn't got one
00:16:57i knew that you were going to give me trouble i see you're a psychologist too now look here peterson
00:17:02let's get this straight from now on you must ask permission for everything you do and you won't
00:17:08ask me for it that's an improvement you'll have to ask my second in command and i'm afraid you'll
00:17:12find that he's tougher than i am you may go now
00:17:18you may go
00:17:20first commander tell me one thing why do you deny me the honor of talking to you
00:17:30i'm leaving peterson
00:17:59hey
00:18:03buddy
00:18:04i'm king one one six pardon me for not having called you by name allow me india zulu four
00:18:12one what do you want i'm looking for someone excuse me i'm looking for a number yankee one
00:18:19three he was injured he should be around here somewhere just dismissed it was nothing but simple
00:18:25shock have a look in the biochemical lab please excuse my curiosity mr king one one six
00:18:44may i come in hey spaceman
00:18:56are you addressing me yes but you're a
00:19:00go on you're a girl
00:19:03and you're selling flowers too
00:19:05there are no flowers here these are diaspora
00:19:09even with a name like that they're flowers
00:19:11they serve the purpose of changing hydrogen into breathable oxygen and are as necessary here
00:19:19as the air is on earth
00:19:21but i still say
00:19:22they're flowers
00:19:25if you like
00:19:27do you sell them
00:19:29i'm afraid not
00:19:30but maybe we can make a deal
00:19:34what do you mean
00:19:35oh you see
00:19:36you won't have to send them anywhere
00:19:39i'll pay for them
00:19:40but then
00:19:41i'll leave them here
00:19:42for you
00:19:46do you work in this section
00:19:49sometimes
00:19:51but i'm really a navigator
00:19:54when i'm not working with the astro compass i like to substitute for the section chemist
00:20:01but tell me why do you want to offer them to me
00:20:03oh no particular reason just to celebrate the second smiling face i've run into
00:20:09al's was the first
00:20:10now i find you
00:20:12speaking of you
00:20:13what's your name
00:20:14i don't mean your numbers
00:20:16serials codes
00:20:17but just your name
00:20:20lucy
00:20:21lucy
00:20:22do you like it
00:20:23it's not bad
00:20:25my uncle had a mascot with that name
00:20:28it was quite cute
00:20:29i liked it very much
00:20:31it was a monkey
00:20:32thank you
00:20:33no really
00:20:35she was very cute
00:20:36i meant it as a compliment
00:20:38very flattering mr peterson
00:20:42do you know my name too
00:20:45of course
00:20:47i've already heard about you from george
00:20:49you know
00:20:50the commander
00:20:51my old friend
00:20:53but doesn't the commander
00:20:55have a number
00:20:56like everybody else
00:20:58not for me
00:21:00and now if you'll forgive me
00:21:03i've got work to do
00:21:05yankee one three
00:21:10i forgot
00:21:11thank you ray
00:21:15i really mean thanks
00:21:24following the order from the commander
00:21:26al came over to our ship
00:21:27to pilot a space taxi
00:21:29from which i could photograph
00:21:31a passage of asteroids
00:21:32india zulu 4-1
00:21:34we just made it
00:21:36i bet you this was the most interesting action shot of your career
00:21:39yeah shooting these rocks is sure something
00:21:42they're not rocks my son
00:21:45they're asteroids
00:21:46each of them 1700 feet in diameter
00:21:53the commander
00:21:54the commander balled me out
00:21:54for the loss of 500 gallons of hydrazine
00:21:56when i saved a life
00:21:58and the girls too
00:21:59so you have a weakness
00:22:01for the weakest sex
00:22:02and she doesn't even call him sir
00:22:04just george
00:22:05by all our rigs around saturn
00:22:06they were right when they called you a meddler
00:22:09well
00:22:09he's ashamed of that
00:22:12hold right now
00:22:12i'm gonna make a sharp jerk
00:22:18who is ashamed
00:22:19george
00:22:20you understand him
00:22:24is it true that george is leaving
00:22:25yes
00:22:27and lucy
00:22:28will she go with him
00:22:29i'm sorry for you
00:22:30but that's exactly what she'll do
00:22:31something very serious is going on
00:22:33and all you can talk about is this nonsense
00:22:35we're leaving for mars
00:22:37wait
00:22:37you too al
00:22:38yes
00:22:39can't you tell me more about it
00:22:41top secret
00:22:41sulu extra 3-4
00:22:43to space taxi
00:22:44bravo 9-1
00:22:45hurry back to base
00:22:46over
00:22:47roger from bravo 9-1
00:22:51al
00:22:52can i radio my earth base
00:22:53sure
00:22:54you think you're still living back in the 21st century
00:22:57thanks
00:22:57you better lower your head now
00:22:59we're moving back into the satellite
00:23:02i wanted to join this mars expedition
00:23:04only an order from the high command on earth
00:23:07could persuade the commander
00:23:08to take me with him
00:23:09i don't understand
00:23:11what's making the pilot so late
00:23:14he promised to join us immediately sir
00:23:16al's really a strange type
00:23:18he's the best there is
00:23:26i'm sorry to be late sir
00:23:28we've been waiting for you
00:23:29the situation has become worse
00:23:31we've got to leave immediately
00:23:33and you haven't been able to contact alpha 2
00:23:36no
00:23:37alpha 2
00:23:38does not answer
00:23:40we think the pilot
00:23:41may be dead
00:23:49this could mean the end
00:23:51that's what i'm afraid of
00:23:54india zulu 4-1
00:23:55wishes to speak with you sir
00:23:57let him talk to the second in command
00:23:59you take care of him sullivan
00:24:01he refuses to do so
00:24:02he says he has a very urgent communication for him
00:24:05send him in
00:24:12that's all we needed
00:24:14this inquisitive interfering medley
00:24:18he's a pretty nice guy
00:24:21do you think so
00:24:42this is absurd
00:24:44commander
00:24:45you are insulting the high command
00:24:47absolutely against all regulations
00:24:49any more criticisms
00:24:51yes
00:24:51so have i
00:24:53but i keep them to myself
00:25:00gentlemen
00:25:02prepare to leave
00:25:13yankee 1-3
00:25:14one moment please
00:25:16yes
00:25:20what is it george
00:25:25that man peterson has persuaded the high command to let him come with us
00:25:29it's an order
00:25:30aren't you exaggerating
00:25:33i can't increase the crew
00:25:37can't you do without the radio operator
00:25:39we'll get along just as well
00:25:40no
00:25:43i prefer to do without you
00:25:47me
00:25:49i would not want my choice influenced by opinions that are not objective
00:25:55anyway
00:25:56i think i could get along better without a navigator
00:25:59than without a radio operator
00:26:02if i weren't the navigator
00:26:05then would you give up taking one with you
00:26:10perhaps not
00:26:11you see
00:26:12you're not being objective
00:26:15besides
00:26:15i don't want to be left behind george
00:26:18it's not that i'd pretend to be of more value than the high command is
00:26:21but i'm not of less value either
00:26:24you aren't giving me an order are you
00:26:26no i'm just begging you
00:26:30i understand you george
00:26:32i know that you always try to be worthy of your position
00:26:36but you'd be better off if for once you try
00:26:40you try to be worthy of yourself
00:26:54i'm sorry george
00:27:12lucy's plea to the commander was effective
00:27:14when we left the artificial satellite
00:27:16and returned to our spaceship
00:27:18bravo zulu 8-8
00:27:19lucy was aboard
00:27:21and set our course for mars
00:27:23is the nose still turned up
00:27:25don't be silly
00:27:26the nose of a spaceship is always up
00:27:28even when landing
00:27:29he's not referring to the spaceship al
00:27:31he's talking about me
00:27:33my congratulations commander
00:27:35listen peterson
00:27:36remember you're extraneous here
00:27:38so please keep to your place
00:27:40what place
00:27:42i don't even have a chair to sit on
00:27:44look there are two cons in there that you can use
00:27:47when we haven't a chance to rest
00:27:49oh while the rest of you are working
00:27:51i'm supposed to sleep
00:27:52there are times when all children should go to bed
00:27:55yeah
00:28:01listen
00:28:02ever since we came on this trip
00:28:03you've all
00:28:05done your very best
00:28:06to make me feel like an outsider
00:28:09my congratulations peterson
00:28:29what the devil is going on
00:28:30i don't know sir
00:28:32looks like it might be a magnetic stone
00:28:34impossible
00:28:35listen to the wave boom sir
00:28:37look captain
00:28:48give me its position
00:28:51coordinate 113
00:28:52inertial position of object 512
00:28:56try to establish contact
00:28:58it looks like a moon ship
00:29:03bravo zulu 8-8
00:29:04bravo zulu 8-8
00:29:05to unidentified object over
00:29:11they're asking for help sir
00:29:12switch to voice circuit
00:29:24metro sierra 1-3
00:29:25metro sierra 1-3
00:29:27to bravo zulu 8-8
00:29:28over
00:29:30bravo zulu 8-8
00:29:31to metro sierra 1-3
00:29:32go ahead
00:29:33over
00:29:33tanks are exploded
00:29:34engines have failed
00:29:35we're out of control
00:29:36we're out of control
00:29:37and being attracted to mars
00:29:38over
00:29:39try to get back into the orbit
00:29:41around mars
00:29:42we'll attempt rescue
00:29:43what caused the explosion
00:29:45over
00:29:45impossible to say
00:29:47a sudden rush of hot air
00:29:48overpowering us
00:29:49the instruments have gone crazy
00:29:51the tanks have exploded
00:29:52the structure's melted
00:29:53in several places
00:29:54what about the crew
00:29:55three of us left sir
00:30:01one dead
00:30:03engineer
00:30:03put on your spacesuits
00:30:04and stand by for immediate bailout
00:30:06as soon as you enter orbit
00:30:07radio out
00:30:09disconnect the voice circuit
00:30:13do you think they'll make it
00:30:15that's what I'm checking now
00:30:17are you thinking the same thing I am
00:30:20they can't make it
00:30:21why not
00:30:26no
00:30:26we won't be able to make it
00:30:28one of mars satellites is crossing our path
00:30:31driving engines again
00:30:39David
00:30:40David
00:30:45David
00:30:49it's suicide
00:30:50don't jump
00:30:51I don't feel like ending my days
00:30:53in a trap
00:30:58David
00:30:59don't
00:31:04what are you doing
00:31:07can you make it
00:31:12I'm climbing
00:31:14one of my engines has started
00:31:16I'm climbing
00:31:20I can make it
00:31:22I'm getting lighter
00:31:23I can't make it
00:31:27no
00:31:31don't be able to get ready
00:31:33for a vertical landing
00:31:37we will fly above
00:31:38Bobos
00:31:46now
00:31:48engines at seven gammas
00:32:05now
00:32:09engines at eight gammas
00:32:14look there to the right
00:32:17perhaps
00:32:31entrance at eleven gammas
00:32:32gyros are not
00:32:34moving to vertical position
00:32:48engines at twelve gammas
00:32:52what's going on
00:32:53we're going down
00:32:54but it's insane
00:32:56with all stages full of fuel
00:32:58we're like a bomb
00:33:01landing area
00:33:02at two degrees
00:33:03off our coordinate
00:33:04just below us
00:33:05engines at fourteen gammas
00:33:12engines at sixteen gammas
00:33:14engines at sixteen gammas
00:33:22engines at four o'clock
00:33:25and
00:33:32i
00:33:33i
00:33:33i
00:33:33i
00:33:40Oh, my God.
00:34:03Nine degrees to starboard.
00:34:06One more and we would have remained here forever.
00:34:24He's still alive.
00:34:25Let's hurry up.
00:34:26Captain, we're coming in.
00:34:30Lucy, keep the gyros working.
00:34:32As soon as they're inside, we'll get out of here.
00:34:40You stay here and look after it.
00:34:45I'll take care of the entrance.
00:34:50Gyros unlocked!
00:34:52Roger!
00:35:21I'll take care of the door.
00:35:26How is it?
00:35:27Bad.
00:35:29I think you'll hold out till we get to Mars.
00:35:31We're almost there anyway, aren't we?
00:35:33No.
00:35:34What do you mean, no?
00:35:36We've changed course.
00:35:37We're now heading for Venus.
00:35:38Your what?
00:35:41A direct order from the High Command.
00:35:43And you accepted it?
00:35:58Do you realize, Commander, there's a dying man in there?
00:36:01I don't have to account to you for my actions.
00:36:03Look, Captain.
00:36:05I'm picking up an area of intense heat.
00:36:08It's almost as hot as the photonic field of the sun itself.
00:36:12Turn on the safety system.
00:36:14I think you should tell him, sir.
00:36:16It's no longer top secret.
00:36:20Alpha 2, propelled by photonic energy, is now without a pilot.
00:36:25She is floating in space and is only controlled by the electronic brain.
00:36:30The photonic heat which our radar has picked up has the power of destruction and death.
00:36:38Alpha 2 has re-entered the solar system.
00:36:41During the sun's next revolution, she will start to orbit around the Earth and will destroy it completely.
00:36:46Burning everything and eliminating all forms of light.
00:36:50Have we any hope of stopping her?
00:36:54That's why we're going to Venus.
00:36:57It's the nearest point to the elliptical path of Alpha 2.
00:37:01We have but one chance in a million.
00:37:09Our world was in danger.
00:37:11About to be destroyed.
00:37:13Perhaps in a few days.
00:37:15Maybe in a few hours.
00:37:16It was up to us.
00:37:17A handful of cosmonauts from Earth.
00:37:20Millions of miles away.
00:37:22To try and save humanity.
00:37:25Lucy.
00:37:27You're crying.
00:37:34Those dark spots.
00:37:37Those continents.
00:37:39And there are the oceans.
00:37:40And the trees.
00:37:43You can't see them.
00:37:44In my mind, I can.
00:37:46I'd like to run down a road that's a lot of pine trees.
00:37:50Would you?
00:37:52Yes, and feel just once again the excitement of speed.
00:37:56But we're already running at 90,000 miles an hour.
00:37:59And we're standing still.
00:38:02That's nothing but an illusion.
00:38:07Do you know what day it is?
00:38:10Don't you know that in space we don't count the days?
00:38:13No, but do you know what date it is?
00:38:16It's the 359th of rotation around the sun.
00:38:20That's just part of it.
00:38:22It's Christmas, Lucy.
00:38:43We started to land at the interplanetary base on Venus, the largest, best equipped base, closest to Alpha 2.
00:38:51From there, Alpha 2 could be intercepted, and we hoped destroyed, by the remote-controlled atomic missiles.
00:39:12Hey, Archie, is that the base?
00:39:14Yes, right under the protective dome.
00:39:16There's too much hydrogen in Venus's atmosphere.
00:39:21From here, it looks like the glass dome of a temple.
00:39:24You don't need a respirator inside.
00:39:25What about those plugs?
00:39:26Are they purifying filters?
00:39:27Hey, that'll read the course of showing results, isn't it?
00:39:31Tell me, why is it that Weatherman wants to protect himself?
00:39:34He hides himself under a dome.
00:39:36Put on your helmet, kid.
00:39:38I'm going to take you on a quick tour of Venus, only this time it won't be for sightseeing.
00:39:48Emergency action was taken immediately by firing an atomic missile at Alpha 2 in an attempt to destroy this deadly
00:39:55mechanical monster.
00:39:568,500, 8,000 miles, 7,500, 7,000 miles, 6,500, 6,000 miles, 5,800, 5,500, 5
00:40:15,200, 5,000 miles.
00:40:20Hold on.
00:40:22Disintegrated.
00:40:24Exactly at 5,000 miles.
00:40:29We'll have a chance to hit her only if the electronic brain which propels her has gone out of control.
00:40:37You see, the two photonic generators which are moving gyroscopically at each end of the spaceship are creating around Alpha
00:40:452 an invisible sphere of heat
00:40:48which radiates up to 5,000 miles.
00:40:53We've just had the proof of it.
00:40:54It's indestructible.
00:40:57It's indestructible.
00:40:58Though one of man's dreams has finally come true, an indestructible destroyer.
00:41:05Unless we have a sudden change in the next solar system revolution, Alpha 2 will start orbiting around the Earth
00:41:12at only 3,500 miles from it.
00:41:15That means 1,500 miles within the safety limit.
00:41:21In a few days, maybe a few hours, our planet will become a mass of boiling mud, as it was
00:41:29soon after its formation.
00:41:31We mustn't give up hope.
00:41:32Something might stop it in time.
00:41:34Maybe a miracle.
00:41:39And while we're waiting here for your miracle, I would suggest that we immediately put into operation all the means
00:41:46at our disposal.
00:41:47They've already prepared to fire missiles from the other hemisphere.
00:41:50Meanwhile, why don't you order your men to reach the audio stations on the beach?
00:41:57You stand by Electronics Telescope Number 7.
00:42:026,800.
00:42:075,700.
00:42:095,200.
00:42:115,000.
00:42:134,500.
00:42:144,000.
00:42:153,700.
00:42:162,900.
00:42:182,400.
00:42:192,200.
00:42:222,200.
00:42:25I don't understand.
00:42:27With your permission, sir, I have an explanation.
00:42:30What is it?
00:42:31I think I've found the answer.
00:42:33Tell it to us.
00:42:35I'm sure that due to some technical error, that spaceship is vulnerable.
00:42:40The two photonic deflectors at both...
00:42:42...her ability?
00:42:43...two semispheres separated in their fields by a channel.
00:42:47You mean like a halved orange?
00:42:49A perfect example, my son.
00:42:52That's why a missile has gone through.
00:42:54According to you, it was the only one fired exactly into the center of the channel.
00:42:58But why did the last one disintegrate in 2,200 miles?
00:43:01Because of some imperceptible deviation.
00:43:03Perhaps it was attracted by one of the photonic fields.
00:43:06Which is right, Al?
00:43:08There's still a chance.
00:43:10What chance?
00:43:13We'd have to fire on a straight line from another spaceship traveling alongside Alpha-2 at the same rate of
00:43:18speed.
00:43:19I think I've earned the right to try, sir.
00:43:21By the right.
00:43:22Because if my hunch turns out to be correct, I'd like to be the one to receive the credit.
00:43:28And if it's wrong, you want to be the one to risk it.
00:43:32There's an old atomic spaceship here, sir.
00:43:34I'll use its remote-controlled missiles.
00:43:38May I go ahead, sir?
00:43:43Yes.
00:43:45And I hope you'll manage to save humanity.
00:43:53We'll take off and follow you as close as possible, Al.
00:43:56All of us.
00:43:59As if we were right there with you.
00:44:02All of us.
00:44:08Hey, Ray.
00:44:09Now you have a chance to do a real exclusive.
00:44:13It'll be a universal scoop.
00:44:16Let's just make it a world scoop.
00:44:42Let's go.
00:44:44Let's go.
00:45:01We're out of it now.
00:45:06You live very well, Peterson.
00:45:08It's not everybody that can stand 16 gammas.
00:45:11Considering the fact that I'm a parasite.
00:45:14Tango Sierra 1-3, Tango Sierra 1-3 to Bravo Zulu, 8-8, over.
00:45:29Now, piloting the old atomic spaceship, Tango Sierra 1-3, flew alongside us.
00:45:35Both spaceships shut off their engines, and the inertial thrust allowed them to fly at fantastic speeds.
00:45:42His mission, to find the channel between the two semispheres of Alpha-2.
00:46:03Tango Sierra 1-3, go ahead.
00:46:05Everything okay, Captain?
00:46:07Perfect.
00:46:08How's the reporter?
00:46:13Doing fine.
00:46:16Requesting route check.
00:46:18Present inertial speed, 30,000 miles.
00:46:21Coordinate 1-3 in respect to Vega.
00:46:24Estimated intersection point with Alpha-2 on Coordinate 4-1 in respect to Earth at 18 degrees.
00:46:32Over.
00:46:33Correct.
00:46:34But change approximately 3 degrees at intersection point with Alpha-2.
00:46:40We'll go.
00:46:40I'll request another route check on approach, and let's hope for the best.
00:46:45Radio out.
00:46:53Satellite Zulu, extra 3-4.
00:46:56Satellite Zulu, extra 3-4, calling Bravo Zulu 8-8, over.
00:47:00Bravo Zulu 8-8, satellite.
00:47:03Zulu extra 3-4, go ahead.
00:47:05Captain, this is Sullivan.
00:47:06What's the trouble, Sullivan?
00:47:07About 45 seconds ago, the photonic field around spaceship Alpha-2 came into collision with the asteroids.
00:47:15Well, then?
00:47:16Alpha-2 has changed her course by 6 degrees in respect to Vega.
00:47:21I'm afraid she'll enter orbit around the Earth before the estimated time.
00:47:28Can you ascertain her present position?
00:47:30Yes, I can.
00:47:32High coordinate 27 degrees.
00:47:34Movement of ellipses gradually advancing.
00:47:38Look out.
00:47:39It's coming towards you.
00:47:47Yes, sir.
00:47:48It will be on top of us any minute.
00:47:51What about the men, Sullivan?
00:47:53They are all on standby, sir.
00:47:57Two mechanics went out of the space taxi to Solar Mirror Foxtrot 1-2.
00:48:00I ordered them not to come back.
00:48:04Commander, see if you can save them.
00:48:09Sullivan!
00:48:10Save yourself!
00:48:12It's too late, sir.
00:48:14Sullivan!
00:48:16Sullivan!
00:48:18Can you hear me?
00:48:21Sullivan!
00:48:23Sullivan!
00:48:24Sullivan!
00:48:25Sullivan!
00:48:25Sullivan!
00:48:27Sullivan!
00:48:27Sullivan!
00:48:27Sullivan!
00:48:44Ray, don't forget Sullivan and your scoop, write this, he was never afraid, since man
00:48:54even in space changes his position but not his character. He is what he is, wherever he lives.
00:49:02What's he mean?
00:49:07What you're always saying, to himself, every man is a whole world.
00:49:22Commander, I've been able to locate the position of the space taxi.
00:49:27Tell it to me.
00:49:29Coordinate pi 28 eight degrees, in respect to Aldebaran.
00:49:34We're changing course and we'll try to rescue the survivors.
00:49:42Bravo Zulu 8 eight to space taxi, Bravo 9-1. We're coming in to rescue you. Be ready to bail
00:49:50out.
00:50:00Out.
00:50:19The commander says you boys should rest. No, Ray. Show them in here.
00:50:35I just wanted to see you boys.
00:50:39Mary. Jackson. I'm glad to see you. Go and get some rest now.
00:50:50I'm glad you.
00:50:51I'm glad you I'm glad you had.
00:51:13Let's see you boys.
00:51:13Please.
00:51:25How do you like that, Jackson?
00:51:27He called us boys.
00:51:29Yeah, and he even remembered our names.
00:51:31I didn't think he even knew.
00:51:36Sir, I'm now 7,000 miles from Alpha 2.
00:51:51In a few seconds, I'll start firing the rockets.
00:52:035,000 miles.
00:52:054,500.
00:52:094,000.
00:52:113,500.
00:52:163,000.
00:52:21It's disintegrated.
00:52:23I'll try again.
00:52:315,000.
00:52:334,500.
00:52:354,000.
00:52:363,500.
00:52:373,000.
00:52:382,500.
00:52:402,000.
00:52:411,500.
00:52:421,000.
00:52:44900.
00:52:45800.
00:52:45Going to make it.
00:52:46700.
00:52:47600.
00:52:49500.
00:52:50400.
00:52:51300.
00:52:522,100.
00:52:57Fire another rocket.
00:52:59I'm getting near it, sir.
00:53:10It's too dangerous, Al.
00:53:11Stop.
00:53:12You'll be attracted by the botanic fields.
00:53:14I've located the channel.
00:53:16I'll try to break through it, Commander.
00:53:18I'm sure that I can get at least 1,500 miles away from the spaceship.
00:53:22Come back, Alton.
00:53:23It's murder.
00:53:24I'm 2,000 miles away from Alpha 2 now, sir.
00:53:27Let me try.
00:53:29Al, that's an order.
00:53:30I'm sorry, sir.
00:53:31But I'm not taking orders anymore.
00:53:34It's a useless sacrifice.
00:53:37Son, I'm 1,200 miles away from you.
00:53:41I don't want to disillusion you.
00:53:44But what would be the use of living if the Earth were destroyed?
00:53:49We'd all be prisoners of space.
00:53:52With no hope of return.
00:53:56800 miles.
00:53:57Al, please!
00:53:59After 200 miles, you'll have only a very slight chance to keep on a steady course.
00:54:02That slight chance challenges me to try.
00:54:34Al, you don't know what you're doing.
00:54:36Maybe not, Commander.
00:54:38Al!
00:54:38But in a few seconds, I'll know for sure.
00:54:57Al has succeeded in proving the existence of a channel by the sacrifice.
00:55:03of his own life, but we still haven't got a chance.
00:55:08There's nothing for us to do but follow his lead.
00:55:11But how, Lucy?
00:55:13Commander, why don't you request more spaceships equipped with missiles?
00:55:17It's too late now.
00:55:18They'd never get here in time.
00:55:21Well, then.
00:55:24I don't know.
00:55:28What's that object that keeps appearing on the screen?
00:55:36It's the Space Taxi, from the disintegrated satellite.
00:55:42It's the Space Taxi from the disintegrated satellite.
00:55:43It is now circling in orbit around us.
00:55:54The Space Taxi.
00:56:03I wrote on it once for the hell.
00:56:20I wrote on it once for the hell.
00:56:21Yes, for him.
00:56:25I understand.
00:56:27I love him, George.
00:56:30I know.
00:56:33But love has no meaning anymore, George.
00:56:37Does it?
00:56:41Perhaps it's the only thing that does matter.
00:56:48The world of human feelings has been much less explored than the whole of the universe put together.
00:57:00But now it's late.
00:57:03What have we been doing all these thousands of years?
00:57:08We've been congratulating ourselves on our progress and going faster and faster and faster.
00:57:15When, in reality, we've only been getting further away from ourselves.
00:57:33Lucy.
00:57:36Take my place, will you?
00:57:40Take my place, will you?
00:58:04Where do you think you're going?
00:58:06Out. In the Space Taxi.
00:58:08That's madness.
00:58:10Maybe so, but it's not half as mad as the idea that brought us to this point.
00:58:13You are staying here.
00:58:15Listen.
00:58:16Lucy loves you.
00:58:18And Lucy has been and is everything in the world that matters to me.
00:58:23You may not understand it, but for that very reason, I will stop you from going to certain death.
00:58:29Why stop me?
00:58:30We are all going to get killed anyway.
00:58:32I'm going to stop you even if I have to use force.
00:58:51You shall walk.
00:58:51Come on.
00:58:53Come on.
00:58:55Come on.
00:58:56Come on.
00:58:58Come on.
00:58:58Come on.
00:59:00Come on.
00:59:01Come on.
00:59:15Commander, he's going to make it.
00:59:24He's picked up the botanic field alongside the channel.
00:59:41To find my way through the channel, I had to throw to the right and left any loose objects
00:59:47in the space taxi in order to judge the distance between the two curtains of disintegration.
00:59:52Look, it's insane.
01:00:02The channel is getting down. Every second.
01:00:07What's he throwing out?
01:00:09Plugs, transistors, the spare parts from the mechanic's tool kit.
01:00:16George, I'm going to make it. I'll get through.
01:00:20Go on, Ray. Go on. You're nearly there.
01:00:37I don't have anything else to throw out.
01:00:39Get rid of everything which isn't essential. Quick.
01:00:55The path is clear. George, I'm going through.
01:01:22Don't lose time. The hatch is above you. Right in the middle of the sphere.
01:01:55Ray. Can you hear me?
01:01:58Ray. Ray, answer me.
01:02:01Go ahead, George. I'm listening.
01:02:03Get into the pilot seat.
01:02:06And disconnect the electronic brain.
01:02:08It should be on the left-hand panel.
01:02:10No. Turn off everything else.
01:02:22The pilot's still inside the hibernation cell. Dead.
01:02:27Disconnect all contacts on the left-hand panel.
01:02:38George, they're already disconnected.
01:02:42The electronic brain. Ray, you must disconnect the electronic brain.
01:02:56I'm standing in front of it. What should I do?
01:03:00Destroy it. Disconnect the cables.
01:03:18I can't. They won't come loose.
01:03:24He can cut them.
01:03:25There are emergency tools right under the footrest of the pilot's seat.
01:03:28Did you hear, Ray? Under the footrest.
01:03:31All right. Quick.
01:03:34You'd better hurry, sir.
01:03:36We're entering the Earth's gravity zone.
01:03:39Our speed is increasing.
01:03:41Use a pair of wire cutters.
01:03:44Get them, George. Now cut the wires.
01:03:57I'm cutting through the last wire.
01:04:08Ray's deflector has stopped.
01:04:12Maybe we've made it.
01:04:16How can you prove that the photonic field has been disintegrated?
01:04:20There's only one way of telling for certain.
01:04:25We're coming in.
01:04:377,000.
01:04:396,500.
01:04:436,000.
01:04:455,500.
01:04:475,000.
01:04:49We're getting through it.
01:04:51Ray, we're coming.
01:04:53The nightmare is over.
01:04:59Hurry up, Ray. We're coming. Get ready to be rescued.
01:05:13We're along, Sergeant Ray. Bail out.
01:05:23George.
01:05:24Lucy.
01:05:25The external hatch is jammed.
01:05:28It won't open.
01:05:30It will never open again. Never.
01:05:32Try again, Ray. Try. Quick.
01:05:38He can't open it.
01:05:39He cut the cables.
01:05:41There's no more power inside the ship.
01:05:48Earth Base Nine. Earth Base Nine. Earth Base Nine to Bravo Zulu 8-8. Can you hear us? Over.
01:05:56Bravo Zulu 8-8 to Earth Base Nine. Go ahead.
01:06:01Are you all going insane up there? If you keep racing that fast, you'll disintegrate when you reach the Earth's
01:06:06atmosphere.
01:06:07Separate and change your course immediately.
01:06:10Alpha Two is out of control. There's a man inside.
01:06:17We're going down to try to rescue him.
01:06:21Space suits on.
01:06:28Lucy.
01:06:30Take my place.
01:06:38We'll manage you.
01:06:51Ray?
01:06:52Ray?
01:06:53Lucy.
01:06:54George and the others are coming to get you out.
01:06:57I can't hold on any longer.
01:06:59I can't control the oxygen flow.
01:07:02Use the regulator, Ray.
01:07:04I don't have it anymore.
01:07:06It was the last thing I threw out into space.
01:07:10Ray.
01:07:11You must hold out.
01:07:14Bravo Zulu 8-8.
01:07:16Bravo Zulu 8-8.
01:07:18Are you listening?
01:07:19Roger. Go ahead.
01:07:21This is an order from the High Command.
01:07:24Stop rescue of Alpha Two pilot.
01:07:26Change your course immediately or you'll soon enter the atmosphere.
01:07:31Repeat.
01:07:32This is an order from the High Command.
01:07:35They don't know what they're talking about.
01:07:38They don't know what would have happened if Ray...
01:07:41Establish contact again.
01:07:43And we'll stay as close as possible.
01:07:47Ray.
01:07:48We're very close now.
01:07:51The men are now going out.
01:07:53Too much air.
01:07:56An orgy of air.
01:07:57My thoughts are running wild.
01:07:59Talk to me, Lucy.
01:08:16Everything is spinning.
01:08:20Where are you, Lucy?
01:08:25Here, beside you.
01:08:29Quick, the cold way port here.
01:08:31Quick, the cold way port here.
01:08:37What's the use of trying to save the world, Lucy?
01:08:41If I'm going to be lost myself?
01:08:45No.
01:08:46You can't say this, Ray.
01:08:47You believed more than any of us.
01:08:52Truly believed, Ray.
01:09:00Ray!
01:09:01Ray, answer me!
01:09:03I believed.
01:09:04But there's no faith that can destroy the fear of death.
01:09:13Hey, Brian, hang on.
01:09:21Goodbye, Lucy.
01:09:24Goodbye, Lucy.
01:09:33Lucy, we're inside.
01:09:38Be ready to turn the ship.
01:09:51Lucy, unlock the gyros.
01:09:53I'll tell you when to start the engine.
01:09:54Gyros unlocked.
01:09:58We're in, Lucy.
01:09:59Be ready.
01:10:03Contact.
01:10:28We've made it, Lucy.
01:10:30Engines at maximum speed.
01:10:33We've made it, Lucy.
01:10:39We've made it, Lucy.
01:10:55We've made it, Lucy.
01:11:00Now, you're really worthy of your seat, George.
01:11:10Thanks to the Earth.
01:11:44We've made it, Lucy.
01:11:47We've made it, Lucy.
01:11:47And she's all right.
01:11:56We've made it, Lucy.
01:12:06THE END
01:12:27THE END
Comments