Space-Men: Difference between revisions

| film name = <!--(for non-English films: film's name in its native language)-->

| director = [[Antonio Margheriti]]<ref name="archivo">[http://www.archiviodelcinemaitaliano.it/index.php/scheda.html?codice=AG%20642 "Space Men" (Italian).] ''Archivo del cinema Italiano''. Retrieved: 4 August 2015.</ref>

| based on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->

| music = [[Lelio Luttazzi]]<ref name="archivo" />

| cinematography = Marcello Masciocchi<ref name="afi">{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=19395|title="Assignment: Outer Space."|publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|accessdate=4 August 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403064833/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=19395|archivedate=3 April 2014}}</ref>

|production companies = {{Plainlist|

'''''Space-Men''''' (a.k.a. '''''Assignment: Outer Space''''' in the United States)<ref name="afi"/> is a 1960 Italian [[science fiction film]] directed by [[Antonio Margheriti]]. The film stars [[Rik Van Nutter]] and co-stars [[Gabriella Farinon]], David Montresor, Archie Savage, and Alain Dijon. The film was released in 1961inthe U.S. by [[American International Pictures]] as a [[double feature]] with ''[[The Phantom Planet]]''.

''Space-Men''{{'}}s storyline recounts a mission in the 22nd century aboard a [[space station]]. The mission involves a risky effort by its crew to redirect a malfunctioning spaceship that threatens to destroy the Earth.

In 2116, ''Interplanetary Chronicle of New York'' reporter Ray Peterson (Rik Van Nutter), launches aboard spaceship Bravo Zulu 88, joining the crew of an orbiting space station. Peterson is assigned to write a story about the "infra-radiation flux in Galaxy M12", but soon tension develops between Peterson and the station commander (David Montresor). He believes the reporter is in the way, calling him a "leech", but he has orders to not interfere with Peterson. A complication arises when Lucy (Gabriella Farinon), the station botanist and navigator, becomes attracted to both the commander and Peterson.

When the errant Spaceship Alpha Two enters the inner solar system, its photon generators are radiating enough heat to destroy the Earth. In efforts to intercept Alpha Two, crew members Sullivan (Franco Fantasia) and space station pilot Al (Archie Savage) sacrifice themselves in separate but futile attempts to destroy the dangerous spaceship with missiles.

With both crew members now dying from their attempts, Peterson uses Space Taxi B91 to get aboard the errant spaceship. His goal: to disarm Alpha Two's photon generators. Once inside, he is directed to disable the spaceship's computers and shut down all power sources. He soon finds himself trapped inside when the emergency hatch is also disabled by the power loss. {{#tag:ref|The film describes automatic functions on the spaceships being controlled by an "electric brain" or "electronic brain", using both terms interchangeably.|group=Note}}

Despite orders from the high command not to intervene, the commander and his assistant disobey and attempt to intercept the out-of-control Alpha Two and rescue Peterson. They are finally able to reach the reporter as he is collapsing and bring him safely back aboard the station. With Alpha Two now safely redirected away from the Earth, Peterson wins Lucy's affection and the commander's respect for his heroic actions.

* Archie Savage as Al (X15)

Director [[Antonio Margheriti]] had read science fiction comic books since a young age, and when he was offered to direct a science fiction film, he immediately seized the opportunity.{{sfn|Fischer|2011|p=423}} ''Space-Men'' was his first full directoral effort, with Margheriti going on to direct 55 films.<ref name="Paul p. 159">Paul 2004, p. 159.</ref>

''Space-Men'' was made from a script written by Margheriti and [[Ennio De Concini]].{{sfn|Fischer|2011|p=423}} The film was shot at the same time director [[Mario Bava]] was filming ''[[Black Sunday (1960 film)|Black Sunday]]'' on a [[sound stage]] the next door.<ref name="LucasCommentary438">[[Tim Lucas|Lucas, Tim]]. " Commentary by Tim Lucas (time: 4:38)." ''Blu-ray: 'Black Sunday' FCD756'', Arrow Films, 2013.</ref> Margheriti took over the studio work with miniatures that were featured in the outer space segments.<ref name="Paul p. 159"/>

''Space-Men'' was distributed by Titanus and opened in Rome in August 1960.<ref name="archivo" /><ref name="afi" /> The film was re-titled ''Assignment: Outer Space'' for its U.S. release. It opened in [[San Diego]] on December 13, 1961.<ref name="afi" />

==Home video==

''Space-Men'' (under its U.S. title of ''Assignment: Outer Space'') was first released on DVD January 11, 2005 by St. Clair Vision as part of the 3 disc set, ''Classics from Outer Space, 10 Movies''.

''Assignment: Outer Space'' was released as a single DVD on February 17, 2015 by American Pop Classics.

*[[List of science fiction films of the 1960s]]

*[[List of Italian films of 1960]]

* {{cite book |last=Fischer |first=Dennis |title=Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895-1998 |publisher=Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2011 |date=|isbn=0786485051 |ref=harv}}

|year=

|ref=harv

}}

* {{cite book | last= Paul | first= Louis | title= Italian Horror Film Directors |publisher= Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2005 |year= |isbn= 978-0-7864-8749-3|ref=harv}}

[[Category:Directorial debut films]]

[[Category:Italian films]]

[[Category:Italian-language films]]