Futuristic Fabulation Films Trivia Quiz

Answer: A Trip to the Moon

"A Trip to the Moon" (1902) is usually considered to be the first science fiction film. Produced by Frenchman Georges Melies, it is probably the best known film of its time and was one of the first films to make use of special effects such as superimposition and slow-motion.

The story focuses on a group of astronomers that travel to the moon on the back of a capsule which was launched by a cannon on the Earth. They meet the aliens that live on the moon and succeed in bringing one of them back to the Earth alive.

Many of the very early sci-fi movies feature the theme of space travel, mirroring the centuries old human desire to know if there is life on a world other than our own.

Answer: The Time Machine

"The Time Machine" (1960), starring actor Rod Taylor, was based on the H. G. Wells novel of the same name. George Wells is a Victorian Englishman who invents a time travel machine. He attempts to change the past by travelling into the future. Expecting to find Utopia, he is surprised to find the world is at war. One group lives underground (The Morlocks), and are depicted as cavemen.

The Eloi live above ground and are somewhat childlike. The main character was not given a name until this film was made and was simply referred to as 'The Time Traveler'.

This film was a big hit and won the Academy Award for special effects.

Answer: Westworld

"Westworld" was a groundbreaking science fiction film that featured actor Yul Brynner as an android cowboy. The film takes place in an amusement park where guests expect to experience life in wild west. When an android is damaged by a power surge, he starts killing guests.

The film was one of the very first to use digital imaging and was nominated for numerous awards for its groundbreaking special effects. The film brought up the idea of androids taking control of the world, and humans being unable to stop them.

This is a unique film that features Yul Brynner in one of his most provocative roles and was the debut film for author/director/producer Michael Crichton.

Answer: Forbidden Planet

"Forbidden Planet" focuses on a space expedition that is sent from Earth to the planet Altair IV to check on a previous group of space pioneers who had arrived on the planet 20 years prior. They find that everyone has died except the mysterious Dr. Morbius and his daughter.

The expedition finds out that the planet is home the ruins of an extinct race that self-destructed. The film featured Robby the Robot, who was the first robot depicted as having a personality, and being much more intricate than previous film robots.

He is portrayed as the servant to Dr. Morbius and in reality was so expensive to build that he was featured in many future films. The film explores the ideas of accidental self-destruction, the effects of human isolation, and the idea of "the collective unconscious".

Answer: Washington D.C.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a film about a flying saucer which lands in the city of Washington D.C. It explores the human reaction to another race making itself known to the planet. It leaves the viewer wondering if the human race could live in peace with other worlds, without attempting to conquer them.

In this film, humans immediately expect that any new life forms must be landing in our world as an act of war. The two alien beings on the ship warn the humans that they must learn to live with beings from other worlds, respect their beliefs, and abstain from all warfare. Think about it. Just what would we do if aliens landed on Earth?

Answer: The Thing From Another World

"The Thing From Another World" is considered one of movie maker Howards Hawks' greatest films. It is the story of a blood sucking alien found frozen inside a space craft that crashed in the Arctic. This film reflected the anxiety caused by the Cold War and accompanying UFO hysteria that was prevalent at the time.

This film is often given credit for inspiring 'the evil alien attempting to destroy mankind' films, which were so popular during the 1950s.

Answer: False

"Men in Black" follows the exploits of two secret government agents, whose job is to monitor alien activity on earth. It originated from a comic book series of the same name. The movie features great special effects, a plethora of unique and unusual aliens, and an all star cast.

The film successfully mixes science fiction and comedy. Most of the film takes place in New York City and features some very unusual futuristic weapons.

Answer: Metropolis

"Metropolis" was a groundbreaking futuristic science fiction film that dealt with a dysfunctional Utopia of the future. It features the wealthy population who live above ground and the working class who live underground. Sadly, many parts of this film were cut by the German government and some of these scenes have not been recovered.

The movie is known for its very elaborate and expensive special effects including art-deco architecture, robots, and frightening catacombs. This movie is a must-see for any sci-fi fan.

Answer: The ignition temperature for paper

The title of this film, which deals with future laws which make books illegal, is a reference to the ignition temperature of paper. All books have been banned in this dystopian future in order to stop creative thinking. The film includes a hidden group of people, known as the "book people", each of whom have memorized one novel, in an attempt to keep the novel alive for the future.

This British film featured French director Francois Trufflaut, Austrian actor Oskar Werner, and was based on a novel by American author Ray Bradbury.

Answer: The Andromeda Strain

"The Andromeda Strain" deals with a deadly alien disease of intergalactic origins. The disease is believed to come to Earth from a man-made satellite that was recovered and brought back to Earth after a visit to the galaxy of Andromeda. The ability of the microbe to mutate each time it regenerates leaves the watcher with the fear of what could accidentally be brought back to Earth from outer space.

It is a very real possibility.