4K Ultra HD Analysis – Spaceways (1953)

      Spaceways, 1953.

      Directed by Terence Fisher.

      Starring Howard Duff, Eva Bartok, Alan Wheatley, Philip Leaver, Andrew Osborn, Anthony Ireland, Michael Medwin, Cecile Chevreau.

      SYNOPSIS:

      During tests of a rocket intended for Earth orbit, a pair of unfaithful lovers vanish, leading to the woman's husband being suspected of their disappearance, but where are the missing bodies?

      At a classified government research facility in England, scientists including Stephen Mitchell (Howard Duff), Philip Crenshaw (Andrew Osborne), Toby Andrews (Michael Medwin), and Lisa Frank (Eva Bartok) are engaged in the launch of an unmanned rocket designed to orbit the Earth and transmit data. Meanwhile, Dr. Crenshaw is involved in an affair with Dr. Mitchell's wife, Vanessa (Cecile Chevreau), while Dr. Frank harbors a secret love for Dr. Mitchell, who knows about Vanessa's betrayal after witnessing her and Crenshaw together at a cocktail party.

      When the rocket is launched, the mission takes an unexpected turn as the satellite is flying at a significantly lower altitude than anticipated, suggesting that a substantial amount of fuel has been replaced by something else. With Mitchell verifying the fuel levels himself and the two lovers missing, what could this signify?

      Spaceways, directed by the well-known Terence Fisher of Hammer fame, offers a light-hearted murder mystery infused with a hint of sci-fi that was modern for its time. In reality, this story could have easily unfolded on a military base featuring tanks instead of rockets, as there is a scarcity of genuine space elements. However, given the limited budgets and the subpar special effects of 1953, you get what you get, reminiscent of the opening sequence from Button Moon whenever the rocket is depicted in action.

      Subtract the sci-fi aspects, and what remains is a murder mystery that emphasizes the mystery side, raising several questions. However, Terence Fisher had only 77 minutes to work with in terms of plot development and twists, meaning one has to accept the premise and move along with the story.

      Following the disappearance of the unfaithful couple, military intelligence officer Dr. Smith (Alan Wheatley) is brought in to investigate. His overly confident and pretentious demeanor makes him a more engaging focal point compared to Howard Duff's Mitchell, the American lead introduced to appeal to the US audience. Duff’s stoic demeanor lacks the warmth contributed by the British cast, while Eva Bartok, with her glamorous charm, adds a touch of softness to an otherwise potentially dry and testosterone-driven production.

      Some might contend that the romantic drama elements are overly prominent in a narrative involving murder and science fiction. Still, it is this human dimension that Terence Fisher often infused into the films he directed, contributing depth where the action was more pronounced. This trademark would be refined as he progressed in his career through his Gothic horror films, yet with limited time and budget, he conveys the essence of the story without letting it veer too much into soap opera territory—though not all actors seemed to get the same memo.

      Hammer continues to excel with this limited edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray release, including valuable extras that provide context, such as the US and UK cuts of the film, each featuring its own audio commentaries, along with featurettes on the careers of Howard Duff and Eva Bartok, as well as extensive discussions about 1950s sci-fi films. One particularly useful list by writer Wayne Kinsey reveals the numbers of sci-fi movies produced in America versus the UK during the decade, which may surprise viewers. While the picture quality isn't pristine due to the film’s age, it looks as sharp and detailed as one can expect, although it doesn’t rank among Hammer's finest achievements.

      Nonetheless, Spaceways is an enjoyable film and, bolstered by its special features, makes for an entertaining addition to the Hammer box set collection. It may not be groundbreaking, but it evokes nostalgia for a time when science fiction focused on possibilities and the positive uses of technology—albeit with a murder twist.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward