Woman in the Moon

Synopsis

Convinced that gold exists on the lunar surface, a diverse crew launches a multi-stage rocket to the moon in search of fortune. Fritz Lang’s final silent film blends sci-fi adventure with melodrama, famously inventing the 'countdown to zero' for dramatic effect. With technical advice from rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth, the film offers a surprisingly accurate vision of space travel that foreshadowed the V-2 program and the future of exploration.

Critique

Fritz Lang’s Woman in the Moon is the grandfather of the hard sci-fi genre. Collaborating with rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth, Lang introduced scientific accuracy to space travel, depicting multi-stage rockets and zero gravity. It famously invented the 'countdown to zero' for dramatic effect, a concept NASA later adopted. While melodramatic, its serious approach to technology shifted public perception of spaceflight from fantasy to possibility. It stands as a bridge between the imagination of Verne and the reality of the Space Age, influencing the V-2 program.

Technical sheet

Director

Fritz Lang

Original title

Frau im Mond

Year

1929

Country

Germany

Running time

170 min

Genre

Drama, Science Fiction, Romance

Written by

Fritz Lang, Hermann Oberth, Thea von Harbou

Cinematography

Curt Courant, Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Oskar Fischinger

Cast

Willy Fritsch, Gerda Maurus, Klaus Pohl, Fritz Rasp, Gustav von Wangenheim, Tilla Durieux

Production

UFA, Fritz Lang-Film

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing