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Reviews (14)

5 Stars for THIS??
OK, so it ISN'T "Citizen Kane"!
When is the widescreen DVD coming?
I would love to see this film either on widescreen DVD or at a revival house screening somewhere.Anybody who knows this movie is probably familiar with its production background: George Pal wanted to make a larger scale movie about Atlantis but MGM didn't give him the budget he needed; leftover footage from "Quo Vadis" was used in the final scenes when Atlantis is destroyed; Anthony Hall (actually the Italian singer Sal Ponti) and Joyce Taylor apparently weren't strong enough actors to avoid being somewhat upstaged by Edward Platt and John Dall, whose campy arrogance as the corrupt warlord is a pleasure to behold; and finally, scenes of flying soldiers were not included in the final film when they tested poorly in test screenings.Still, this film holds some real treasures: Paul Frees' somber narration before the titles, the powerful Atlantis theme by Russell Garcia, the amazing fish-shaped submarine, that fantastic crystal death-ray weapon, and most of all, the striking depiction of an ancient, technologically advanced but corrupt civilization that was destroyed by a volcano.Perhaps the fact that this is still the most well-known Atlantis movie is an indication of its strengths.

ATLANTIS: The Found Continent...
This second-string effort by sci-fi master George Pal(TIME MACHINE; WAR of the WORLDS)nevertheless deserves a pride-of-place on the pantheon of fantasy classics.Granted, acting by Anthony Hall and Joyce Taylor as Romeo & Juliet of Antediluvian Atlantean Empire is delectably and detectably bogus. But much of A,the Lost C,is B+ entertainment.The story is good. Without pretense,it evokes Platonic myth of Legendary Lost Continent;and Biblical causus Dei belli/wrath,detailed in Scripture concerning The Great Flood .The Mighty Men--the original Aryan Master Race--have gotten too big for their britches. But"before the fountains of the great deep were broken up and the windows of heaven were opened and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights(Genesis 7:11-12). George Pals'APOCALYPSE THEN treats uncritical viewers to a classy clash between World War mongering John Dall(Laurence Oliver's exiled-for-SPQR Legion Commander-incompetence homie in SPARTACUS);and Atlantis High priest,Edward Platt who sagely warns them to GET SMART.
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

A mysterious, pilotless plane carries scientist Rex Reason to a colony of America's best and brightest minds. They've been kidnapped by a dying alien race, the Metalunians, to repair their defense shield before their enemies destroy their world completely, toiling under their spying eyes and futuristic security cameras (two-way TVs that dominate every room). Jeff Morrow, under a raised forehead, bronze tan, and snow-white hair, philosophizes as Exeter, the thoughtful Metalunian torn between his duty and his morals as he forces the plucky humans to labor in his race's defense. The moody mystery of the first half turns to pure pulp adventure when the humans are transported across the galaxy to the battle-scarred world of Metaluna, under the threatening watch of a monstrous bug-eyed monster with a giant brain for a head and massive claws for hands. There's a genuine sense of wonder to Joseph Newman's intergalactic adventure, one of the most ambitious science fiction films of the 1950s. The story is simple space opera, but the futuristic designs of glass and metal, the marvelous alien makeup, and grandstanding special effects invest the film with a Technicolor splendor. Faith Domergue co-stars as a nuclear physicist and Read more

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Reviews (102)

Starts Out Promising, but Ultimately Fails to Deliver Much. Bummer.
This film is forgotten amongst 1950's pseudo-intellectual sci-fi movies for good reason: it fails to deliver any type of philosophical moral to the story, (as the few, best of the 1950's fantasy/sci-fi films did), and the monster scenes are way too brief (as most 1950's monster movies at least got that much right)! THIS ISLAND EARTH is a two-time loser in my opinion.
This Island Earth
The plot is corny but I loved it.The Metalunians have the technology to travel 80 billion miles through space and yet they come to earth of all places seeking help to save their planet from exploding.I guess the humans being too stupid for extended space travel have to be smart at something, right?However, once you get over the plot, this movie is very entertaining given the neat special effects of the 50's, the interocitor (sp?) powered by a thyratron, the transport aircraft etc ..,This fits right in there with the origional war of the worlds and is from the era when they made fun, non explicit movies for the whole family

Pleasing 50's sci-fi fare still fun to watch
Let's start with the most important stuff here if you've seen this classic 50's film. How does it look, sound and are there any worthwhile extras? The colors look quite nice in this print. The Image disc appeared a bit blurry at times with colors bleeding. That doesn't occur here. "This Island Earth" was shot using the Technicolor three strip process (except for the visual effects).The film was shot in full screen but presented in widescreen. That will bug you if you have a widescreen monitor but probably won't if you have a standard TV. Three and a half stars for the visual presentation because it isn't presented in its original widescreen presentation.
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

Claude Rains practically owns his film debut in Read more

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Reviews (45)

There's breathing in my barn!
Claude Rains.The man.The myth.The legend.You cannot talk about this film, whether in conversation or in any review, without placing this actor on the tip of your tongue.He is the epitome of the madness that surrounded the power-hungry Invisible Man.In this day of modern cinematic wonder, most full-fledged actors would want their faces to be in front of the camera, showcasing the entire film.Directors would want this fledgling star to promote their film, get kiddies interested in spending their money, and for financiers to see the profits of their contributions.Let's face it, if Brad Pitt is in a movie, typically most audience members are actually going to "see" Brad Pitt.Thankfully, we have directors like James Whale and his interpretation of H.G.Wells' classic The Invisible Man.Whale took a powerful story, expanded it, breathed life into it, and followed up with quite possibly one of the most sinister villains in movie horror history since Hannibal Lector.He is crude, he is heartless, and he wants nothing more than world domination ... he is Claude Rains ... and yet, until the end of the film, we never see the white's of his eyes.
"There's A Souvenir For You"
Haven't we all fantasized about what it would be like to be invisible? Most of the common perks come to mind: spying, getting into movies and amusement parks free, even the baser peeping tom inclinations come to mind. James Whale would pair his Frankenstein masterpieces with this equally trend-setting film. The film is only loosely based on the popular H.G. Wells novel and is played more for chills. Claude Rains does such a wonderful role when you consider that for most of the film he is denied a physical presence on the screen.
Masterly vintage science fiction movie
I would argue that nowhere in the history of the movies has there been an odder movie debut than that of the great Claude Rains in The Invisible Man .He is seen only briefly in the final scene and the vast majority of his " appearance " in this effective adaptation of Wells is a voice only one .
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

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Reviews (27)

A Classic of its Kind
I haven't got a lot to say about this film right now, but I just got back from Best Buy where I was surprised to find a Best Buy exclusive release of Incredible Shrinking Man on DVD. It comes in a set that also features the films Tarantula (another favorite of mine), The Mole People, The Monolith Monsters and Monster on Campus. The discs are released by Universal, not some fly-by-night outfit... that is, unless you consider Universal "fly-by-night". The quality is very good. The picture is sharp and clear, fairly standard DVD quality. If you were satisfied with any of the other major DVD releases of the horror and sci-fi classics from the 50's then you'll be satisfied with this one. I'm sure that some people would complain, whining about things like "artifacts" or whatever, but when you consider the alternatives the quality is fantastic. The sound is excellent, I felt, or at least it sounded quite good on my computer speakers. And, the best part is that Incredible Shrinking Man is in WIDESCREEN, which is also true of The Monolith Monsters in this set (not, unfortunately, on Tarantula, which, assuming it WAS shot in widescreen, would have benefitted greatly from widescreen treatment). The price was great, too - a mere 19.95. I don't know if Amazon will allow this review to appear, since it sort of steers customers away from here and toward Best Buy; but, and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people, WHERE THE HECK IS AMAZON'S EXCLUSIVE RELEASE OF THESE FILMS?! So, unless they plan to offer these movies, I hope they let this appear so some people out there might know that you can finally get this fine film on DVD in widescreen. I'm fairly certain that this release indicates a future wide release of each individual film, but I haven't found any info on the web about it yet, so this might be the ONLY way you could ever get these films on DVD. So, check it out!

'so close, the infinite, and the infinitesimal...like the closing of a gigantic circle'
This film almost defines its own genre.First, it might be said that it is a "grade B" film, with an A+ rating.But it is also not really a cult film, either, so...
If I were the studio releasing this movie...
This is a masterpiece. Awsome movie. I've been waiting for it to be released on DVD, and now finally is out. Zone 2. European version. So please guys, do it quick, a special edition , two disc, lots of extras, an inmaculate transfer, hurry up... or I'll just buy the one available. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

A bewigged Vincent Price goes full-on evil in Read more

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Reviews (31)

US version is better, except for the title
I've seen the UK version of this film, with its original (and better) title, "Witchfinder General", and frankly, I prefer the US version. This has better music plus Vincent Price's intro and outro, which one misses when viewing the UK version. Great film, an outright masterpiece of British cinema, and, hands down, Vincent Price's finest performance on film EVER. I've seen this cult classic many times and never tire of it.

Watch this for Vincent Price's performance.
Witchfinder General is a cult brittish film that was a huge success during its release in 1968, the film shows us the vicous and cruel general Matthew Hopkins played amazingly by Vincent Price and is also based on a real character in 17th century England, he would torture and execute people thinking that they might be witches just like in the film he would roam from village to village on his horse with his assistant looking for witches during the English cival war and he would get payed for this from the town residents. The film also stars Ian Ogilvy as a young soldier and Hilary Dwyer as his wife, unfortunetly Matthew Hopkins stumbles upon the monastery that Hilary's character lives with a priest who is her uncle I think although I forgot, anyway Matthew Hopkins ends up taking the priest on claims that he practices black magic, Hilary Dwyer's character then knows that the whole thing is absurd so she decides to save the priest by having a one night stand with Hopkins in order for them to release him, but something goes wrong and she gets raped and the priest is still held captive at the hands of Hopkins to be tortured untill he confeses and then gets executed. When the young soldier returns and finds out he soon seeks revenge on Matthew Hopkins while deserting his post in the army. The film in its uncut form contains alot of graphic and vicious torture scenes there is also some burnings and hangings and brief nudity so if you can't handle this sort of thing then watch something else. The film also has probably one of vincent's best performances so its definently worth having for that reason. I thought that the film was good although some of the actors were overacting by screaming hystericaly which was hilarious and some parts were kind of lame like Matthew's escape from the soldiers but otherwise it had a great and entertaining story.

The original is better
"The Conqueror Worm" is the American title of "Witchfinder General," which was sold -- deceitfully -- by American International as part of the Edgar Allan Poe cycle (a dubbed-in recitation of Poe's poem "The Conqueror Worm" by Vincent Price is its only connection).While "Conqueror Worm" contains all of the picture elements of the available British version (though the version released to theatres in 1968 was even more graphic in the torture scenes), the superlative music score by Paul Ferris did not make the transition and was replaced by an initially pleasing, but quickly repetitive and inadequate synthesizer theme (in some scenes the music simply runs out, then starts over again like its on a loop).Even so, this grim historical thriller features one of Vincent Price's all time best performances as Matthew Hopkins, a powerful man with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.Price was not so much directed by Michael Reeves as goaded by him (Reeves really wanted Donald Pleasence for the role and was bitter over having Price forced on him by AIP).But Price acquiesced and managed to keep the twinkle out of his eye and his tongue out of his cheek, and the result is ferociously evil.In addition, the settings and costumes are so authentic that you will believe you are really watching the 17th century play out before you.
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monsteris actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets,Read more

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Reviews (70)

Disney fans don't hesitate to buy this!
I purchased this as simply and add on to my ever growing Disney DVD collection. I did not really expect much. What a wonderful surprise awaited me inside this little package.The movie was very good, but the special features made it excellent. I learned so much from watching them about the Disney studios at the time of the filming as well as about Walt Disney himself.The features also included great detailed info about the making of the film, the musical score and many many other intersting things. This is a must own for Disney fans and Sci-Fi movie fans. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

I probably don't need to add another 5 star review, but...
I really, really like this movie! It is THE best adaptation of any Jules Verne movie I have seen. While the special effects aren't amazing, they were great for the time (I mean, when was this thing made? In the 50's or 60's I'm pretty sure). James Mason turns out a wonderful performance as Captain Nemo, the tortured genius of the sea, and the other actors played their parts very, very well. Watch the movie and read the book, they're both quite excellent!

Still Entertaining After All These Years
I've always been a sucker for Submarine Movies, and as a kid, this one really captured my imagination. The Nautilus is rendered here with amazing, gothic detail. The film also has a great story and themes, and some fine performances, and underwater action. I recently watched it again with my own kids. I was a little concerned that with today's rapid fire non-stop action kiddie movies, they would be bored by it. In fact, they were quite entertained by it and watched the squid sequence over several times. I also still found it very entertaining. As far as the extras go, don't miss the original "Sunset Squid" sequence which was scrapped in favor of the one which was used in the film. It is hilariously bad: you can see the wires on the tentacles. A smart decision to drop this one. The short documentary on the real Humboldt squid is also worth a look. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure    2. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    3. Movie   

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Reviews (23)

Not Funny
When I watch MST3K, I'm always struck by how much I would rather be watching ANY of the movies it ridicules, than watching it ridicule them. There's nothing I find more pathetic than people (generally those incapable of creating any significant works of their own) sneering at the creations of others... often simply because those creations are perhaps not of the first rank in some technical way. Green Slime, despite the jeers of the jaded, is really a decent movie on its own terms, that displays a courage that rises far above its obviously limited budget, and which deserves a far more respectful reception. Sure, this is "merely" space opera... but space opera gleefully reduced to the archetypal essentials: the square-jawed hero, the beautiful (but capable) heroine, the melodramatic conflict between former buddies... and, of course, the hideous (and, yes, rubbery) green monster to stir it all up. Turn off your superior, hyper-critical faculties for a few minutes, and you'll find nothing here that isn't given great reverence in productions like Star Trek (especially TOS). Yes, the production values are on the "cheesy" side... but the film overcomes that trivial limitation by its sheer gusto. (Wonderfully exemplified by the effervescent title song.) This is a movie that isn't afraid to do what it does, and it's enormously enjoyable because of that. Don't be fooled into missing the fun by those who simply don't get it, and would rather scoff at something they don't understand. I give it a well-earned 3 stars: a fine effort in a genre that clearly won't appeal to everyone.

"the green slime" is just what the doctor ordered for cheesey sci-fi fun
this is the story of a comit about to strike the earth. to save mankind the space force sends wax figure robert horton(star of t.v,'s wagon train, and looking just like a wax figure ,not one hair out of place and a face that looks like it would crack if he smiled to much) into space to gamma 3 space station to command a group to blow up the comit. of corse the station is commanded by old best friend now enemy richard jeckel. after they blow up the comit and get back to gamma 3 the monster of the title comes into play.
green slime your time away
this movie isn't as bad as somepeople would have you belive!! Sure the effects are bad,sure the acting is "uggg", and sure the leading man looks like a wax figure, but if you let it this movie is a blast to watch. The theme song is priceless and worth the price alone. turn off your mind and let it "slime" you!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror    2. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    3. Movie    4. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

This 1956 pop adaptation of Shakespeare's Read more

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Reviews (216)

Forbidden Planet inspiration for so many
Forbidden Planet deserves all of the praise accorded it by my fellow reviewers. Please allow me to submit for your viewing pleasure a brief list of things to watch for during this film.
EXCELLENT STORY BASED ON SHAKESPEARE'S "THE TEMPEST" ALSO BOASTS THRILLING EFFECTS
IN A NUTSHELL: THE SUSPENSE WILL KILL YOU -- ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON ALTAIR-4!
Before Star Trek there was........
Clearly, this movie is a true forerunner to the Star Trek universe.That is not to say, this is only for fans.This is a well made, thoughtful movie with really good special effects.The cast is great to watch.Leslie Nielsen, Jack Kelly and Anne Francis play the material very well.Look for the debut of Robby the Robot.This is one of the best of this genre and of its day. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (15)

Fairly dopy movie
Very odd and original movie about shrinking people to microscopic size and injecting them into a man's body to allow them to do laser surgery in his brain and save his life.
Hard to place
On one hand, this movie is absolutely incredible.The special effects, suspense, and adventuristic elements are very well done and very engaging.In general, it's definitely entertaining and fun to sit back and just allow to take you along, like the ship in the bloodstream.It also throws random thoughts about religion and philosophy out in a way that should at least be appreciated for trying to cater to an intellectual audience, I suppose...
Lots of fun and very visual
A group of specialists are miniaturized and, along with a bacteria-sized submarine, are injected into a genius to repair a blood clot in the brain.The premise certainly demands a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief but, once accepted, the result is a colorful, visually amazing spectacle that has enough plot, enough intrigue and tension, enough action, and enough good acting (not a plethora, but enough) to make it a real worthwhile viewing experience.Donald Pleasance was the perfect choice as the team's medical sopecialist, with Stephen Boyd (what ever happened to him?) as the no-nonsense commander, and Raquel Welch is beautiful but brainy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

Something's wrong in the town of Santa Mira, California. At first, Dr.Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is unconcerned when the townsfolk accuse their loved ones of acting like emotionless imposters. But soon the evidence is overwhelming--Santa Mira has been invaded by alien "pods" that are capable of replicating humans and taking possession of their identities. It's up to McCarthy to spread the word of warning, battling the alien invasion at the risk of his own life. Considered one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s and '60s, this classic paranoid thriller was widely interpreted as a criticism of the McCarthy era (that's Senator Joseph, not actor Kevin), which was characterized by anticommunist witch-hunts and fear of the dreaded blacklist. Some hailed it as an attack on the oppressive power of government as Big Brother. However viewers interpret it, this original 1956 version of Read more

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Reviews (92)

Paranoia From A Pod
For those people out there who have not seen this film (or read the excellent book it was based on) a classic sci-fi treat lies in wait to take over your lives and endow you all with a driving need to conform and obey.Or maybe just replace you with a carbon copy replica.
Body Snatchers!
First let me say Contrary to popular belief this movie WAS NOT shot in a widescreen format, it was CROPPED into a widescreen format by the studio before release, having said that this movie remains a fine piece of 1950s si-fi highly enjoyable great pic on the DVD as well.

Invasion From Within
Released in '56, 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' is an intelligent and insightful sci-fi/horror film dealing with the topic of an alien invasion from another planet perpetrated in a most unexpected and highly original way.
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

Sometimes a movie achieves such legendary status that it can't quitelive up to its reputation. Read more

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Reviews (208)

"15 Frightful Horror Films ... Bela Lugosi ... Passport Video"

Can your heart stand the shocking facts about grave robbers from outer space?
This is the soundtrack to "The Worst Film of All Time".The CD features the audio track to the entire movie on one disc.Music, dialogue, sound effects, etc.Yes, the sound to the whole darn movie.And it's all on one 70 minute track, which is very annoying.You can't skip ahead to various scenes if you want to.Aside from that, why would you want to just listen to the movie on your CD player, when you could watch it on your TV?It loses a great deal of it's effect without the visual aspect.

This was in the theaters?
I picked up "Plan 9" purely for its reputed schlock value. Any movie described on its own cover as one of the 50 worst films of all time has to be worth a look!
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

That ol' cinematic devil the A-bomb has spawned a colony of giantmurderous ants bent on destroying humanity in this, the seminal big bug movie (an obvious and oft-credited influence for Read more

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Reviews (127)

Where's the Single DVD?
First Laserdiscs disappeared. Then VHS tapes disappeared. Now DVDs are disappearing. I like this film. It is one of the great science fiction films of all time. I would like to get it with its own cover and artwork. Now you have to get it as a double feature with THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS! Nothing wrong with THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, but I just want THEM! by itself. What gives!
Them
I highly recommend this move. Great Old black & white SciFi movie of the 50's Makes you feel like your at the drive inn again. This was no B rated film @ the time. The original quality is great and the tranfer to DVD is not lost.This movie was ahead of it's time being filmed in 3D but sorry folks you don't get the 3D effect from the disk. So if you like giant monsters attacking, then this is for you.

One of the Best
It's great to finally see this fifties classic on DVD. I'm not sure what some reviewers were talking about...this is, in my opinion, a very CRISP transfer, the best version of the film I've ever seen. Perhaps their sets need adjusting.
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Subjects:  1. Horror    2. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Ray Bradbury's celebrated fiction has been notoriously resistant to screen adaptation, but that hasn't stopped the flawed film version of Read more

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Reviews (17)

If only they could all be this good....
Go rent it, watch it, and then come back here and write a review. That way, I can finally own a copy of my own, on dvd. It really is an amazing film. KISS...

A Tour de Force of acting and storytelling....
...Rod Steiger's finest performance, and along with "Something Wicked This Way Comes", and "Farenheit 451", one of the best adaptations ever of Bradbury put to the big screen..... and YOU can't see it on DVD, unless you, and everyone you know votes for it. PLEASE vote for this great film, it's a classic that TRULY deserves to be treasured, restored, and preserved on DVD. You won't regret it.

A classic
This is my favorite movie. Hard to say why....its something to do with the higher elemen