Red Planet Mars

Red Planet Mars

Year: 1952

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Harry Horner

Science FictionFaith and religionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypsePolitics and human rightsImaginative space odysseys and alien encounters

SEE! The first contact between Earth and Mars! Husband-and-wife scientists pick up a pie-in-the-sky TV message supposedly from Mars.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Red Planet Mars (1952)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Red Planet Mars (1952). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

The story unfolds in a Cold War-era setting marked by rapid scientific advancement and existential fear. Government secrecy and media control amplify tension as global powers respond to the Mars transmissions. The period blends postwar optimism with looming nuclear anxieties.

Location

Cronyns' laboratory, United States, Andes mountains, South America

The film centers on the Cronyns' laboratory where a hydrogen-powered transmitter links Earth to Mars. It also travels to the Andes mountains in South America, where a secret transmitter once stood and influence from behind-the-scenes powers is hinted. The lab serves as the nerve center for scientific discovery and the political upheaval that follows the Martian messages.

🗺️ Laboratory 🛰️ Global stage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

Main Characters – Red Planet Mars (1952)

Meet the key characters of Red Planet Mars (1952), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chris Cronyn (Peter Graves)

A meticulous, rational scientist who pursues Martian intelligence while balancing moral responsibility to prevent catastrophe. He remains calm under pressure and prioritizes the safety of Linda and humanity over sensational discovery.

🔬 Scientist 🧠 Rational 🛡️ Protective

Linda Cronyn (Andrea King)

A capable and perceptive partner who engages in the Mars transmissions and anchors the human dimension of the crisis. She demonstrates resolve and emotional clarity as deception and danger unfold around them.

🧠 Intelligent 💪 Determined 🤝 Loyal

Franz Calder (Herbert Berghof)

A brilliant but unscrupulous scientist whose manipulation spurs global fear and political chaos. His cynical motive to expose a supposed conspiracy leads to a fatal confrontation and a chilling self-destruction.

🧪 Cunning 🗡️ Dangerous

President (Willis Bouchey)

A national leader grappling with fragmented truths and the consequences of rapid global information flow. He embodies decisive leadership amid political and religious upheaval.

🏛️ Leadership 🌐 Global politics

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

Major Themes – Red Planet Mars (1952)

Explore the central themes of Red Planet Mars (1952), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛰️ Science vs Faith

The Martian transmissions force a clash between empirical discovery and religious interpretation. The film questions whether scientific breakthroughs should guide policy or be used for ideological manipulation. The religious messages become a moral trigger that tests public trust and international loyalties.

⚖️ Power & Control

Governments suppress information to prevent panic and outmaneuver rivals, while propaganda and censorship shape public perception. The narrative explores how fear is weaponized to justify sweeping political actions. It also examines the fragility of democratic norms under existential threat.

🔥 Destruction & Consequences

A fatal sequence of decisions culminates in explosive consequences that reveal deep truths about civilization’s vulnerabilities. The film emphasizes the moral costs of scientific and political manipulation. The climactic messages leave a haunting reminder of responsibility in a world balancing on the edge of annihilation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

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Unlock the Full Story of Red Planet Mars

Don't stop at just watching — explore Red Planet Mars in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Red Planet Mars is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Red Planet Mars Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Red Planet Mars, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Red Planet Mars Summary

Red Planet Mars Timeline

Track the full timeline of Red Planet Mars with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Red Planet Mars Timeline

More About Red Planet Mars

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More About Red Planet Mars

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Red Planet Mars (1952) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Red Planet Mars (1952) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Red Planet Mars (1952) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow