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2002-10-062002-02-21As for the rest of the picture,I was thoroughly pleased.From the cast to the spfx,it was apparent that the film-makers were doing there best to make a good film.
The cast is lead by Marshall Thompson;a veteran of 50's sci-fi;and other than a few moments of "gee whiz" delivery he turns in one of his best on-screen performances.The rest of the cast is solid as well.From the leads to the bit parts,everyone was adequate or better.
The spfx were effective and superior to what you would normally expect from this type of film.Also,the stock footage was seamlessly blended into the movie.As for the monster,it was actually very effective looking in the night time scenes.The first time you get a look at it coming through the bushes I was very impressed.Unfortanetly,it isnt nearly as frightening in the well-lit scenes.And who told the guy in the monster suit to walk around like he had ... in his pants?
Which brings me to the reason the ending disappointed me so much.In an effort to place their film above the pack,the movie makers attempted a more thoughtful ending rather than the typical "destroy the monster" ending.It just doesnt work because the monster looks so cheezy in the well-lit room its hard to forget your just seeing some actor in a rubber suit.Its also difficult to feel sorry for someone who killed so many innocent people,despite the extenuating circumstances.
Even though the ending was such a let down I still think this would be a solid addition to anyones sci-fi collection. ...you'll definetly be getting your moneys worth.
A must see for any sci-fi fan 
2002-02-11
When it comes to B sci fi movies this one holds up. Despite what some reviewers say this movie has all the makings to be near a classic. You have monster chases people, and true to the time a man made tragedy transforms a normal human into a beast. Although it's some dust in space that transforms him it was inside a man made plane thus showing us the supposed dangers of space.
It even tosses in a element of a soft side towards the ending, the ending kind of leaves you hanging but overall fulfilling. I suggest any fan of the 50's genre of sci fi fans to watch this one I think you won't be dissapointed.
It scared me too--42 years ago! 
2001-07-17
I just read Doug's review of "First Man into Space" and I just had to write respond. I was seven years old when I saw this movie. As I recall (though my recollection here may be faulty), it was double-billed with "Tom Thumb." One of my good friends had a birthday party and we all went to the movies. "First Man into Space" scared the bejeezus out of us. We were so scared we couldn't stop crying. They had to take us out of the movie in the middle--sometime after the car was pulled over by the state trooper. I thus never saw its conclusion. A few years ago I found the video of the movie and I triumphantly brought it home to show to my teenagers. Needless to say, they made fun of me throughout the movie: "Dad, you were scared by this?!" :-)
Don't overpay for an OOP dvd - Criterion is restoring!! 
2001-01-19
This was actually a pretty decent 50's sci-fi. Make up for the monster and space effects looked pretty good and the script was good with a very sad ending. Darn those 'cosmic rays'!!
(Review update 03/20/05)
Before you go out and spend alot of $$ on an OOP DVD, I read recently that Criterion is preparing a remastered DVD release sometime soon....
first man into space 2005-09-25
the fiend without a face producers strike again with this somewhat less successful but stillpretty creepy sci-fi/ horror hybrid. like fiend this starts slow but builds to some really scary moments.
first man into space a 50s gem 2005-05-02
I remember seeing this film a a young boy and it helped hook me on Sci Fi for life. 50s rockets and a space plane right out of the newsreels of the time coupled with a risk taking pilot, responsible older brother who is his superior officer and the beautiful scientist who they both want make for a great movie. The science and horror are blended into a believable tale of ambition gone wrong as a disobeyed order to stay below the threshold of space so the pilot can be the first man into space leads to a hideous fate. By doing so he passes thru a cosmic cloud that covers the ship and him in a protective reflective dust which insulates both him and the ship from the atmosphere. What follows is a mystery as to what happened to the pilot when the ship re enters the atmosphere and what is causing the mysterious slasher type murders that have their victims drained of blood leading to a typical 50s climax where a noble act ends in tragedy but gives future pilots a new safety element to continue into space.
a real gem of a film cheaply but professionally done. dont pass this one up.
A movie I will never forget. 2004-12-28
I saw this movie when I was 8 years old. It was a double feature with "Old Yeller". I never had seen any scary movies before. Like some of the other reviewers, this movie scared the crap out of me. I had nightmares for several weeks and refused to walk alone down the long dark hallway to our bathroom at night. After all these years, the memory of what the monster looked like is still fresh. Now that I have seen the whole movie again, it was fun to relive all the chills it gave me so long ago.
Slept with the light on for a week!!! 2003-11-30
This film caused me nightmares when I was a child (after it was run on television). I have never forgotten seeing this movie -- nor have I forgotten sleeping with the lights on for a week -- even though I am now 50 years old. Several Internet movie database websites list this film as "suitable for children." I DON'T THINK SO; unless scaring the crap out of your children is your goal?
THE BEST 2002-10-23
THIS MOVIE SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME WHEN I SAW IT IN THE MOVIES IN THE BRONX NY ,WHEN I WAS 10 YRS OLD.I HAD NIGHTMARES FOR A WEEK. THE PART WHEN HE COMES THRU THE BUSHES I FELL OFF MY SEAT.BLACK AN WHITE FILMING MADE IT EVEN BETTER.THIS IS A MUST HAVE.WHERE IS THE DVD FOR $11.99
