Mars in cinema As the Curiosity rover beams back remarkable
pictures from Mars, Ryan looks back at the history of the red
planet in cinema... Viewed from one perspective, our history
with the planet Mars is filled with disappointment. Giovanni
Schiaparelli’s canals turned out to be a misreading of natural
channels criss-crossing the Martian surface. Nikola Tesla’s
claim that radio signals were emanating from the planet was
eventually debunked. Like a mirage, the possibility of
intelligent life on Mars has faded into the distance as science
has approached, and the various pyramids, giant face sculptures
and other supposedly artificial structures have all proved to be
geological phenomena. And yet, viewed from another angle, our
history with Mars is also filled with optimism and constant
fascination. We’ve been keenly observing the red planet for
centuries, and repeated launching various probes, landers and
rovers at the place for over 40 years. With seemingly boundless
enthusiasm, scientists have spoken of the