This Island Earth is a 1955 American science fiction film produced by William Alland, directed by Joseph M. Newman and Jack Arnold, and starring Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue and Rex Reason.

Upon initial release, the film was praised by critics, who cited the special effects, well-written script, and the eye-popping Technicolor as being its major assets.

The 1952 novel by Jones was originally serialized in the science fiction magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories as three related novelettes: "The Alien Machine" (June 1949), "The Shroud of Secrecy" (December 1949), and "The Greater Conflict" (February 1950).

Jones had taken the novel title from a line in Robert Graves' poem "Darien" ("It is a poet’s privilege and fate/To fall enamoured of the one Muse/Who variously haunts this island earth").

Back at his laboratory, Meacham discovers that an unusual substitute for the electronic condensers that he had ordered has been delivered from a mysterious source.

Intrigued that the condensers appear to be made from an unknown and almost indestructible material, he later orders instructions and parts to build a complex device called an "interocitor".

When they finish, a mysterious man named Exeter appears on the interocitor's screen and informs Meacham that he has passed a test.

Landing in a remote area of Georgia, he finds an international group of top atomic scientists already present, including an old flame, Dr. Ruth Adams.

The mutant guard has also boarded the saucer and attacks Ruth, but dies as a result of the pressure barrier differences on the way back to Earth.

[7][N 1] A review in The New York Times by Howard Thompson stated: "The technical effects of This Island Earth, Universal's first science-fiction excursion in color, are so superlatively bizarre and beautiful that some serious shortcomings can be excused, if not overlooked.

"[3] "Whit" in Variety wrote: "Special effects of the most realistic type rival the story and characterizations in capturing the interest in this exciting science-fiction chiller, one of the most imaginative, fantastic and cleverly-conceived entries to date in the outer-space film field.

"[4] Philip K. Scheuer of the Los Angeles Times was also positive, calling it "one of the most fascinating — and frightening — science-fiction movies to come at us yet from outer space ... To the camera and effects men must go the major laurels for making this wonders visible and audible — in awesome Technicolor and a sound track that is as ear-wracking as it is eerie.

"[8] The Monthly Film Bulletin was less positive, writing: "Faced with the wonders of space, man's reactions prove, as usual, dreadfully limited.