Science fiction has long served as both a mirror reflecting our anxieties about the future and a blueprint for technological innovation. From tablets to holograms, the genre’s predictive power is uncanny. But perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of space travel, where films like Fritz Lang’s silent epic, “Woman in the Moon” (Frau im Mond), proved remarkably prescient, anticipating key elements of rocketry and the very public spectacle of the space race.
While Georges Méliès’ “A Trip to the Moon” first captured audiences’ imaginations with the possibilities of space exploration, Lang’s film distinguished itself by attempting a more scientifically grounded portrayal. Released two years after his groundbreaking “Metropolis,” “Woman in the Moon” wasn’t simply a fantastical journey. it was an effort to depict space travel as a realistic, albeit nascent, scientific endeavor. This ambition led Lang to collaborate with leading scientists of the time, including rocket scientist Hermann Oberth and science writer Willy Ley, to ensure a degree of technical accuracy unprecedented for its era.
To the Moon
Following the success of his spy thriller “Spies,” Fritz Lang embarked on his final foray into science fiction with “Woman in the Moon.” Adapted from a novel by his wife and frequent collaborator, Thea von Harbou, the film unfolds in two distinct parts. The first functions as a classic spy story, centering on competing industrialists and scientists vying for dominance in the early stages of a space race. The second part follows this unlikely team as they embark on a perilous journey to the moon. Woven throughout is a dramatic love triangle between scientist Wolf Helius and his assistants, culminating in a characteristically bleak Langian ending that underscores the corrupting influence of power.
However, it’s the film’s scientific foresight that continues to captivate modern viewers. Lang’s team didn’t merely imagine space travel; they meticulously detailed the mechanics of it. “Woman in the Moon” is credited with being the first film to depict zero-gravity, multi-stage rockets, a figure-eight lunar landing trajectory, and the intense physical strain of liftoffs due to g-forces. Perhaps most significantly, it popularized the now-iconic image of a rocket launch countdown, complete with detailed checklists – a procedure Lang explained was born out of “dire necessity” to build narrative suspense.
The film’s realism, however, doesn’t extend to the lunar surface itself. Upon arrival, the film depicts a breathable atmosphere, Earth-like gravity, and a moon rich in valuable resources – a far cry from the desolate reality. Despite this fantastical element, the film’s accurate portrayal of the *process* of space travel remains remarkable.
A Lunar Legacy
“Woman in the Moon” enjoyed commercial success upon its release, despite receiving mixed critical reviews. The film premiered alongside a failed rocket launch funded by Lang himself, adding to the spectacle. It was praised for its technical ambition and visual audacity, particularly the innovative special effects orchestrated by animator Oskar Fischinger. Historians have noted the film’s prescience in anticipating both the rise of Nazi Germany and the subsequent Cold War space race.
Modern audiences will likely recognize parallels between the film’s portrayal of a privatized space race – driven by scheming tycoons seeking wealth and glory – and contemporary developments in the commercial space sector. The film’s accuracy was so striking, in fact, that it was banned by the Nazi regime in , reportedly out of fear that it would reveal too much about their own burgeoning rocket programs. However, Lang’s Jewish heritage and outspoken criticism of the Nazi party were also likely contributing factors to the ban.
The ban led to the film being largely destroyed, and for years, only a shortened version was available. It wasn’t until a full restoration by the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung in that the film was presented in its original form. Today, viewers can stream “Woman in the Moon” on platforms like Kanopy and Tubi, or purchase a digital restoration from Kino Lorber.
Throughout his -year career, Fritz Lang delivered some of cinema’s most important works, including “Metropolis,” “M,” and “You Only Live Once.” Considering the profound influence of “Woman in the Moon” on everything from WWII-era rocketry to the Apollo program and even works of fiction like Thomas Pynchon’s “Gravity’s Rainbow,” it’s a strong contender for Lang’s most enduring legacy. The film stands as a testament to the power of science fiction not just to entertain, but to inspire and, in some cases, to predict the future.
