The film “Woman in the Moon” (“Woman in the Moon” in English) is a science fiction film silent 1929 directed by Fritz Lang. The film is considered a classic of the science fiction genre and represents a milestone in the history of cinema.
The plot of the film follows the story of a group of scientists trying to reach the Moon aboard a rocket. The female protagonist, a young widow named Helius, joins the expedition after discovering that her father has been robbed of a map that indicates the exact spot on the lunar surface where an enormous amount of gold is located.
The journey to the Moon is full of obstacles, including competing with a group of criminals who want to steal the gold for them. Once they arrive on the Moon, the protagonists discover that the satellite’s atmosphere is breathable and meet an alien civilization.
The film is notable for introducing many of the iconic ideas and elements that would become commonplace in later science fiction, such as the representation of the Moon as a place where you can walk and the presence of a countdown timer before the rocket lifts off. Furthermore, it was one of the first films to portray space travel as a real and feasible possibility.
“A Woman on the Moon” is a fundamental film in the history of cinema and science fiction, as well as a work that has influenced many subsequent productions in the genre.
Plot
The plot of the film “A Woman on the Moon” follows the story of a group of scientists who try to reach the moon aboard a rocket. The female protagonist, a young widow named Helius, joins the expedition after discovering that her father has been robbed of a map that indicates the exact spot on the lunar surface where an enormous amount of gold is located.
The expedition is led by Professor Mannfeldt, an elderly scientist, and the young technician Wolf Helius, son of the map’s deceased inventor. The mission is financed by an American tycoon, Walter Turner, who discovered the existence of gold on the moon and wants to exploit the discovery to get rich.
After overcoming several technical difficulties, the expedition reaches the Moon. Here, the protagonists discover that the satellite’s atmosphere is breathable and meet an alien civilization, which welcomes them peacefully and shows them the wonders of their world.
However, the mission ends in tragedy when one of the criminals who tried to sabotage the trip tries to steal the gold, causing a fire on board the rocket. The protagonists manage to save themselves and the gold, but the rocket is damaged and in danger of exploding.
“A Woman on the Moon” is one adventurous story which follows the journey of a group of scientists to the Moon, with a storyline that combines elements of science fiction, adventure and drama. The film is notable for introducing many of the iconic ideas and elements that would become commonplace in later science fiction, such as the representation of the Moon as a place where you can walk and the presence of a countdown timer before the rocket lifts off.
Characters
Here are the main characters featured in the film “A Woman on the Moon”:
Helius: the female protagonist, a young widow who joins the expedition to the Moon after discovering that her father has been robbed of a map that indicates the exact spot on the lunar surface where an enormous amount of gold is located. Helius is courageous and determined, and proves crucial to the success of the mission.
Professor Mannfeldt: The elderly scientist who leads the expedition to the Moon. Mannfeldt is a wise and respected character who has spent his life studying astronomy and space science. It is he who manages to overcome many of the technical difficulties encountered during the trip.
Wolf Helius: the young technician who accompanies the expedition, as well as the son of the deceased inventor of the gold map on the Moon. Wolf is a determined and passionate character, who is completely dedicated to the mission and proves to be a valuable help to Mannfeldt.
Walter Turner: the American tycoon who finances the mission to the Moon. Turner is a cynical and ruthless character, interested only in the profit that could result from the discovery of gold. Despite this, his presence proves essential to the success of the mission.
The count v. Hellingen: A criminal who tries to sabotage the mission to the Moon to steal the gold. Hellingen is a mysterious and dangerous character, who poses a constant threat to the protagonists.
Friede Velten: A young scientist who joins the expedition and proves to be a valuable ally to Helius and the others. Friede is an intelligent and determined character who demonstrates great courage in the face of adversity.
These are just some of the characters featured in the film “A Woman on the Moon”, but there are many others who contribute to the storyline of the film is captivating and engaging.
Film Production
The film “A Woman in the Moon” (in German “Frau im Mond”) was produced and directed by the famous German director Fritz Lang and was released in 1929 by UFA, the largest film production company in Germany at the time.
The film took almost a year and a half to produce, with a huge budget for the time of around DM 1.5 million. Lang wanted the production to be as scientifically accurate as possible and engaged Hermann Oberth, one of the founders of modern rocket technology, as a technical consultant.
For the filming of the film, Lang used miniature models of rockets and the Moon, as well as the cutting-edge technology of the time for location and studio shooting. The film was shot in black and white, but Lang used a variety of lighting techniques to create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere.
The cast of the film included successful actors of the time such as Klaus Pohl, Gustav von Wangenheim and Willy Fritsch, but the role of the female lead, Helius, was given to a non-professional, Brigitte Helm. Helm was already known to audiences for her role in Lang’s film “Metropolis”, and her performance in “A Woman on the Moon” was particularly praised by critics.
The film premiered in Berlin in 1929 and was a great success with both audiences and critics. It was considered a cornerstone of science fiction cinema and influenced many subsequent films on the theme of space travel. Today, “A Woman on the Moon” is considered one of Lang’s masterpieces and a seminal work in the history of cinema.
Distribution and Reception
The film “A Woman on the Moon” premiered in Berlin on October 15, 1929 and was subsequently released worldwide. The film was a great success with both audiences and critics, and was appreciated for its scientific accuracy, its innovative camera techniques and its gripping plot.
The film was particularly popular with German audiences, who saw it as a representation of their space ambitions. The film was also well received in the United States, where it was released under the title “Woman in the Moon”. However, the film was censored in Britain for its portrayal of Jews as negative characters.
Critics praised the film for its innovative technique and gripping storytelling, and the film became a landmark for later science fiction cinema. In particular, the film was lauded for its scientific accuracy and the fact that Lang had employed a world-renowned scientist as a technical consultant for the production.
However, the film was also criticized for its length and slow narration. Some critics considered it too didactic and too concerned with proving its scientific accuracy at the expense of the plot and the characters.
In any case, “A Woman in the Moon” proved to be a great commercial and critical success, and remains one of the most important and influential films in the history of science fiction cinema.
Movie Style
Fritz Lang’s film “A Woman on the Moon” is considered one of the masterpieces of science fiction cinema and a work that influenced many subsequent films of the genre. Lang’s work is distinguished by an accurate scientific reconstruction, a solid narrative structure and a particular attention to the characters.
Lang’s directing style is characterized by a skillful use of light and shadow to create a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. Shots are often elaborate and used to create a sense of depth and space. Lang makes use of a number of innovative techniques for location and studio shooting, including the use of miniatures and models.
The accurate scientific reconstruction of the trip to the Moon was another distinguishing feature of the film. Lang employed a world-renowned scientist, Hermann Oberth, as a technical advisor for the production, and tried to depict space travel in a realistic and believable way.
From a narrative point of view, “A Woman on the Moon” is built with a complex and articulated structure. The film is divided into four acts, each of which has its own subplot. This structure allows Lang to explore various themes, including greed, ambition, friendship and love, through the characters that populate the film.
In summary, Fritz Lang’s directing style in “A Woman on the Moon” is characterized by a great attention to detail, an accurate scientific reconstruction and an articulated narrative structure. The result is a film of great visual and narrative impact that remains a benchmark for science fiction cinema.
Director
Fritz Lang (1890-1976) was an Austrian-born American director, screenwriter and producer. Lang began his career in German cinema in the 1010s, becoming a major exponent of the German Expressionist movement.
Among his most famous films can be mentioned “Metropolis” (1927), “M – The Monster of Düsseldorf” (1931) and “Dr. Mabuse” (1922). Lang was also one of the first directors to explore the science fiction genre, directing such films as “The Woman in the Moon” (1929) and “The Island of Doctor Moreau” (1932).
Lang often used staging to explore social and political themes, such as class struggle, state control and self-determination. His films are often characterized by strong social criticism and a pessimistic view of the world.
Throughout his career, Lang has worked in both Europe and the United States. After the rise of Nazism in Germany in 1933, Lang left the country to emigrate to the United States, where he directed some of his most famous films, including “Fury” (1936) and “The Big Heat” (1953).
In summary, Fritz Lang was one of the most influential and innovative filmmakers in world cinema. His work has inspired generations of filmmakers and helped define the modern cinematic language.
