The Rocketship X-M is the first manned rocket into space commanded by Dr Eckstrom (John Emery). Once in space things go wrong and the rocketship goes out of control. Soon it ends up in orbit around Mars so they land there instead! Eckstrom and the crew which includes Graham (Lloyd Bridges) and Van Horn (Osa Massen) explore this strange barren new world.
They quickly discover the ruins of an advanced civilisation, with evidence that they destroyed themselves in a nuclear war. Now the savage survivors throw big rocks at their human visitors!
A perfectly decent 1950s space romp, the warnings about the danger of nuclear war and the rather downbeat negative ending makes the film stand out. The film is black and white but switches to a red tinted film for the Martian exterior shots which is a nice touch.
