After reading the other comments made about this film, I must disagree. All right, yes... it is a poor film from a technical point-of-view.
But, keep in mind that the budget of
SCCTM was around 200 thousand dollars... peanuts, even in 1964 when the film was made. Considering the scope the picture attempts to convey, I don't think the director could have done much better with such a small budget. He simply had too much movie on his hands to lens for 200 grand.
As to the actors all being terrible, or looking
stoned, as some commentors have suggested... this is patently false. The actors did a competent job with the material they were given. The acting is certainly on par with the status quo for kiddie films, such as
Casper and those horrid
Home Alone movies. And that's an important thing to remember...
SCCTM is a kiddie film. It was never meant for an adult audience. Yet commentors and critics frequently judge it as if it were adult science fiction, an unfair assessment.
The story is actually rather sweet and has a kindly message over all. Nothing any sensible person would object to their seven year old sitting through.
All in all,
SCCTM has gotten the proverbial raw deal. I, for one, enjoy the film immensely and reccomend to critics that they view it again, but with a different frame of mind.
