An above average British film – a film that deserves to be better known

This well-made British science fiction story concerns the crew of a test rocket on which a lady reporter (Lois Maxwell) stows away. Kieron Moore plays the pilot of the rocket sent into orbit in connection with the test of a new “Tritonium bomb”. Donald Wolfit plays the bomb’s inventor.

After releasing he bomb, it’s internal propulsion system fails and it becomes attached to the hull of the spacecraft. All attempts to dislodge it are unsuccessful, so the bomb’s inventor takes drastic action to deal with the situation.

Director Paul Dickson presents an exciting and intelligent story. The special effects are both competent and exciting — which is no surprise in view of the fact that their creator, Wally Veevars, later worked on “2001”

The special effects include the space scenes, an underground space complex, and a rocket which is launched from a horizontal track, similar to “When Worlds Collide”. Well-designed sets and props (especially the ship’s interior and the spacesuits) enhance this wonderful British entry.

Satellite in the Sky – Start of the Take-off

Satellite in the Sky – The Spaceship speeding up the Ramp

Satellite in the Sky – We have lift-off

Satellite in the Sky – The Spaceship cruising along in space

One scene in Satellite in the Sky on the big wide screen that remains with me to this day is a brief shot when Keiron Moore looks out of the space craft from a side viewing area, and we are looking back with him towards the earth and other planets – and that was extremely well done although you could see that it was fake – it didn’t seem to matter anyway as the film was so enjoyable.  Now I see it again – as above – still pretty good, I would say.

Kieron Moore and Lois Maxwell on board the Spaceship

In Satellite in the Sky 1956 – we have that  grand thespian Donald Wolfit  – BELOW  who, to me, is the most interesting character in the film – and gives the best performance.

Satellite in the Sky should really have a far higher profile in British sci-fi history, or even as a classic British film but somehow it is a forgotten relic – which I think is unjust for such an expensive and, at times, impressive film.

Sir Donald Wolfit made quite a few films and was always good but he never ventured to Hollywood as people like Laurence Olivier did – both Shakespearean Actors of some note although Donald Wolfit had the edge. He could tackle – and did tackle on stage – all the major Shakespearian Characters whereas Olivier could not. His Othello was pretty poor.

If Donald Wolfit had gone to Hollywood I am certain that he would have fared very well indeed.

To finish we quote just two of the impressive Theatre reviews Sir Donald Wolfit received :-

From James Agate the influential Critic wrote :-

“I say deliberately that his performance on Wednesday was the greatest piece of Shakespearean acting I have ever seen”

AND

C.B. Cochran wrote :

‘In Donald Wolfit a new ‘giant’ has arisen .. It is my decided opinion that there has been no actor on our stage since Irving’s great days comparable to Wolfit in the great roles’

Edith Sitwell  after seeing him in King Lear wrote that the cosmic grandeur of his performance left her and her brother Osbert unable to speak