FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

kevin olzak It would seem that the sci-fi titles produced behind the Iron Curtain during the early 1960s were all heavy on space travel, light on monsters, so Americans such as Roger Corman often purchased the rights to add new footage to rectify the situation ("Battle Beyond the Sun," "Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet," "Planet of Blood," "Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women). American International often picked up foreign titles to use in their TV packages, so most often viewers would only catch these films on the small screen. This 1963 Czech film is quite interesting, several well drawn characterizations, a virtual prototype for the forthcoming STAR TREK, only with a 15 year mission, destined for the 'Green Planet.' The tacked on US ending, lambasted as it's been over the years, proved to be influential at the time, as shown by 1968's "Planet of the Apes." Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater aired this film on two occasions, Nov 25 1967 (followed by second feature "The Tingler") and Aug 1 1970 (followed by second feature "Voodoo Man"). Other Eastern European titles broadcast include "The Fabulous World of Jules Verne," "First Spaceship on Venus," and "The Amphibian Man."

drystyx When I call this science fiction film about a future Russian trip to the star system of Alpha Centauri one with "mature" content, I mean that in a "mature" way.This is not an action packed film. It makes a very good attempt at realistic space travel, given that one overcomes the time and distance angle.I place it as a companion piece, for better or worse, with other Psychological outer space science fiction films, notably ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS and SILENT RUNNING. One could just about call this a three piece trilogy, except I'm sure there are even more from this era that I don't recall right now.The pace is very slow, and for those who speak English, that makes it a very difficult watch, reading the subtitles. However, the acting and directing is top notch.A film like this has to have a good solid ending to justify it, even if the ending is open ended.The ending here is a solid one, and well directed. That makes all the difference, because it is laborious to sit through a "think piece" like this.I don't recommend this for children. As a matter of fact, I rate this X, because I just don't see many people under 18 as being able to appreciate this. It is "mature" in that regard. This is a very deep drama.

tomimt Sci-fi is a difficult genre. The reason is, that most of the sci-fi movies are very effect driven, so that might become problem, if the movie has nothing else to offer besides the effects: bad plot makes clunky effects look even sillier. Very few sci-fi movies have managed to keep the charm and awe of movies like Metropolis, which manages to look good even todays standards.Ikarie XB1 is a bit of a mixed bag. Most of the sets look very good. The interiors of the space ship look nice and futuristic without looking silly, the space suit design is very clever, the acting is good and the plot is, while not the greatest thing ever written, relatively well executed. But what is very disappointing in the movie are the exterior shots of the space ships. They look cheap and the ship design is ridiculous with its box shapes and flying saucer shaped shuttles. I wasn't very positively surprised by the music either, which tries too hard to sound like futuristic tech noise.All in all, Ikarie XB1 was a quite positive surprise. I did laugh at couple of occasions, just because of the special effects, but it really isn't that bad of a movie, after you get past of those silly looking space ships. All in all, well worth a watch to a sci-fi fans

robert_deveau I just saw a gorgeous, widescreen, subtitled print of "Ikarie XB 1", also known as "Voyage To The End of the Universe", at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. The print, restored by the Czech studio that originally released it, is in black and white, and was obviously shot that way. Its complete running time is listed in the program notes as 84 minutes, though it may have been a few minutes longer. (I should have checked my watch). Like several others who've commented on this, I first saw this movie as a kid when AIP released a dubbed version in the 60s. Its definitely not a kiddie movie, and is still quite impressive for its effects and production design, as well as its intelligent story.