# Forbidden Planet

> 1956 science fiction movie directed by Fred M. Wilcox

**Wikidata**: [Q1331230](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1331230)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Planet)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/forbidden-planet

## Summary
*Forbidden Planet* is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and distributed by United Artists. It is a classic example of early science fiction cinema, blending elements of adventure, mystery, and futuristic themes. The film was part of the studio system era and contributed to the golden age of Hollywood production.

## Key Facts
- Directed by: Fred M. Wilcox
- Release date: January 1, 1956 (United States)
- Production company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- Distribution company: United Artists
- Genre: Science fiction
- Country of origin: United States
- Instance of: Film
- Part of: National Film Registry (selected for preservation)
- Sitelink count: 36 (Wikipedia links)
- Wikipedia title: Forbidden Planet
- Wikidata description: "1956 science fiction movie directed by Fred M. Wilcox"
- Publication dates: January 1, 1956; March 23, 1956; April 28, 1956; February 5, 1957
- Identifiers: IMDb (tt0049223), Freebase (/m/0fb4l), TMDb (269519), AllMovie (v18166), Rotten Tomatoes (m/forbidden_planet), Letterboxd (6703), Metacritic (forbiddenplanet)
- Awards: 9273 (Wikidata property)
- Budget: $1,968,000 (estimated)
- Box office: $2,765,000 (domestic), $1,530,000 (foreign)
- Runtime: 83 minutes
- Color: Color
- Language: English
- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
- Sound mix: Mono
- Cinematography: William H. Daniels
- Editing: William Lyon
- Production design: Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse, Edwin B. Willis, Hugh Hunt
- Art direction: Edward C. Carfagno, Frank R. McKelvy
- Costume design: Edith Head
- Makeup department head: Jack Dawn
- Visual effects: A. Arnold Gillespie
- Music: Leith Stevens
- Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Majel Barrett, Raymond Bailey, John Hudson, Robert Cornthwaite, John Dehner, John Qualen, John Warburton, William Challee, John Dehner, John Qualen, John Warburton, William Challee
- Story by: Fred M. Wilcox, Norman Panama, Charles B. Griffith
- Screenplay by: Fred M. Wilcox, Norman Panama, Charles B. Griffith
- Cinematography: William H. Daniels
- Film editing: William Lyon
- Production design: Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse, Edwin B. Willis, Hugh Hunt
- Art direction: Edward C. Carfagno, Frank R. McKelvy
- Costume design: Edith Head
- Makeup department head: Jack Dawn
- Visual effects: A. Arnold Gillespie
- Music: Leith Stevens

## FAQs
**Who directed *Forbidden Planet*?**
*Forbidden Planet* was directed by Fred M. Wilcox, a filmmaker known for his work in science fiction and adventure genres during the 1950s.

**Which studio produced *Forbidden Planet*?**
The film was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of Hollywood's major studios during the golden age of cinema.

**What is the genre of *Forbidden Planet*?**
*Forbidden Planet* is classified as a science fiction film, blending futuristic themes with adventure and mystery.

**Who were the main cast members of *Forbidden Planet*?**
Key cast members included Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, and Majel Barrett, who played significant roles in the film.

**What was the budget and box office performance of *Forbidden Planet*?**
The film had an estimated budget of $1,968,000 and grossed $2,765,000 domestically and $1,530,000 internationally.

**What awards or recognitions did *Forbidden Planet* receive?**
The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, indicating its cultural significance.

## Why It Matters
*Forbidden Planet* holds historical significance as an early science fiction film produced during the golden age of Hollywood. It contributed to the studio system era, where major studios like MGM dominated film production and distribution. The film's blend of futuristic themes, adventure, and mystery reflected the cultural fascination with space exploration and alien encounters in the mid-20th century. As a classic of early science fiction cinema, *Forbidden Planet* influenced later works in the genre and remains a notable example of 1950s filmmaking. Its selection for the National Film Registry underscores its enduring cultural impact and preservation value.

## Notable For
- One of the earliest science fiction films produced by a major Hollywood studio (MGM)
- Featured groundbreaking special effects for its time, including futuristic sets and alien designs
- Starred Leslie Nielsen in one of his earliest film roles, later becoming famous as "The Naked Gun" detective
- Included Majel Barrett in her film debut, who later became famous as Lieutenant Commander Data in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*
- Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, recognizing its cultural significance
- Blended elements of adventure, mystery, and futuristic themes characteristic of 1950s science fiction
- Contributed to the golden age of Hollywood production, reflecting the era's emphasis on large-scale studio films

## Body
### Production and Release
*Forbidden Planet* was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and distributed by United Artists. The film was directed by Fred M. Wilcox and released on January 1, 1956, in the United States. It was part of the studio system era, where major studios like MGM dominated film production and distribution. The film's release dates varied by region, including March 23, 1956, and April 28, 1956, in the United States, and February 5, 1957, in other territories.

### Creative Team and Production
The film was written by Fred M. Wilcox, Norman Panama, and Charles B. Griffith. Key members of the production team included cinematographer William H. Daniels, editor William Lyon, and production designers Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse, Edwin B. Willis, and Hugh Hunt. Art directors included Edward C. Carfagno and Frank R. McKelvy, with costume design by Edith Head. The makeup department was headed by Jack Dawn, and visual effects were supervised by A. Arnold Gillespie. The film's music was composed by Leith Stevens.

### Cast and Characters
The main cast included Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, and Majel Barrett. Walter Pidgeon played the role of Dr. Morbius, a scientist who discovers a planet inhabited by alien beings. Anne Francis portrayed Princess Altaira, the daughter of the planet's ruler. Leslie Nielsen played the role of Commander John J. Adams, a military officer sent to investigate the planet. Majel Barrett made her film debut as Princess Altaira, later becoming famous as Lieutenant Commander Data in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*.

### Plot and Themes
*Forbidden Planet* follows Dr. Morbius as he discovers a planet inhabited by alien beings. The film blends elements of adventure, mystery, and futuristic themes, reflecting the cultural fascination with space exploration and alien encounters in the mid-20th century. The story involves a conflict between human forces and the alien inhabitants, with themes of discovery, conflict, and the unknown.

### Technical Aspects
The film was shot in color with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a runtime of 83 minutes. It was produced with an estimated budget of $1,968,000 and grossed $2,765,000 domestically and $1,530,000 internationally. The film's sound mix was mono, and it included groundbreaking special effects for its time, including futuristic sets and alien designs.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
*Forbidden Planet* holds historical significance as an early science fiction film produced during the golden age of Hollywood. It contributed to the studio system era, where major studios like MGM dominated film production and distribution. The film's blend of futuristic themes, adventure, and mystery reflected the cultural fascination with space exploration and alien encounters in the mid-20th century. As a classic of early science fiction cinema, *Forbidden Planet* influenced later works in the genre and remains a notable example of 1950s filmmaking. Its selection for the National Film Registry underscores its enduring cultural impact and preservation value.

### Related Works and Influences
*Forbidden Planet* is part of the National Film Registry, a selection of films deemed culturally significant for preservation. The film's themes and style influenced later science fiction works, contributing to the genre's evolution. It is also connected to the broader history of science fiction cinema, reflecting the era's fascination with space exploration and alien encounters.

### Preservation and Recognition
The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, recognizing its cultural significance. This selection highlights its importance in the history of American cinema and its enduring legacy as a classic of early science fiction. The film's preservation ensures its continued availability for future generations, allowing audiences to experience its unique blend of adventure, mystery, and futuristic themes.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/zakazana-planeta)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049223/)
3. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/il-pianeta-proibito/11800/)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049223/fullcredits)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. The Movie Database
7. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
8. Forbidden Planet. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049223/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/forbidden-planet/)
13. AlloCiné
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. film distribution certificate
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/8F6B-7224-178A-B810-F961-S)
20. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/84976)
21. TheTVDB
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl