Life On Mars? Probably Not, But Here's 10 Films That Say Otherwise

4. Robinson Crusoe on Mars

Featuring a pre-Batman Adam West and Victor 'I was the first Klingon' Lundin, 1964's Robinson Crusoe on Mars is a largely unheard of affair. Directed and produced by the same team who were responsible for The War of the Worlds, the film details yet another of cinema's attempts to successfully execute a manned mission to Mars. Billed as 'a modern day Robinson Crusoe', Commander Christopher Draper (Paul Mantee), an astronaut on the Mars Gravity Probe 1 spaceship, is left stranded on Mars after evasive manoeuvres causes him to crash land on the planet's surface. Survival is built upon by intuition, as Draper is forced to react to the apparent lack of oxygen and nourishment; apparent in that, fortunately, Mars is a goldmine for oxygen emitting 'yellow stones' and edible plant 'sausages'. Yes, the premise does sound a little bit silly and completely unfathomable, though it is important to remember that, similar to the Robinson Crusoe of which the film is inspired by, Draper's story is of survival. Forget scientific realism for the time being, this film wants only for its audience to feel the pain of a man cut off not only from society, but from all known existence. Consider that, and only then do you appreciate the efforts of Robinson Crusoe on Mars.