Watch Assignment: Outer Space

Assignment: Outer Space is a science-fiction movie released in 1960. Directed by Antonio Margheriti, the film follows the journey of the crew of the spaceship Gamma 3, as they embark on a mission to investigate a rogue planet that is set to collide with Earth. The main protagonist is Ray Peterson, portrayed by Rik Van Nutter, a journalist who is chosen to accompany the crew on their journey as an observer. He is understandably nervous about the dangers they will face in space, but he is also eager to prove himself as a worthy member of the team.

The spaceship Gamma 3 is captained by John McLaren, played by David Montresor, who is a veteran astronaut with years of experience in space. Also on the team is McLeod, played by Alain Dijon, the ship's engineer, and Tony, played by Archie Savage, a scientist specializing in astrophysics. Rounding out the crew is Eva, portrayed by Gabriella Farinon, a beautiful reporter who is covering the mission.

Before the crew departs, they receive a strange message from General Norton, played by Franco Fantasia, who warns them of potential danger from an unknown source. Despite this warning, the crew sets off on their mission, facing a number of challenges along the way.

The spaceship's first challenge is to successfully navigate through the asteroid belt surrounding Earth. This sequence is executed with great visual effects for the time period, showcasing the Gamma 3 navigating through a literal minefield of debris. The audience is also given a glimpse of the crew's personal relationships, as they banter back and forth during this tense situation.

As the crew approaches the rogue planet, they begin to make some interesting discoveries. The planet appears to be inhabited, but not by human beings. The advanced technology of the planet fascinates the crew, but it also exposes them to great danger.

The inhabitants of the planet appear hostile, launching attack after attack against the Gamma 3. The conflict leaves the crew in a race against time to complete their mission before it's too late. They must face a variety of challenges such as treacherous terrain, weapons, and even an unexpected meteor shower. Peterson must help the crew navigate through these situations while not getting in the way of the crew's work.

The movie's climax occurs as the Gamma 3 races back to Earth, with the rogue planet close behind. The crew is determined to save the planet, but they must do so without jeopardizing their own safety. Although they face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, their camaraderie and bravery allow them to achieve their goal.

The movie's visuals are impressive, especially considering the lack of technology available at the time. The spaceship sets are well-crafted, even though they are undoubtedly dated by today's standards. The special effects are commendable, given the lack of computers available at the time, with a mix of models, miniatures, and simple camera effects achieving some awe-inspiring shots.

The acting is decent, albeit a bit wooden at times. The dialogue suffers from being heavy-handed, sacrificing character development for plot, but it's not necessarily terrible. The movie has an overall vibe of corny fun, something similar to other B-grade sci-fi movies of its era.

In conclusion, Assignment: Outer Space is an entertaining sci-fi movie that serves as a time capsule of space exploration films from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Sure, the special effects may seem quaint to modern-day audiences, but it's hard not to appreciate the charm of this classic piece of cinema. With a likable if somewhat flat casting, and an exciting action-packed plot, the movie may not be a masterpiece, but it doesn't exactly need to be. It's just a fun way to spend an evening with some friends, sitting back and enjoying a little hokey space adventure.

Assignment: Outer Space is a 1961 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.