Who's Out There?
"Are we alone in the universe? NASA searches for the answer."
Plot
Narrated by Orson Welles, this 1973 NASA documentary explores the profound question of whether life exists beyond Earth. The film begins by reflecting on Welles' infamous 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast and its impact on public perception of extraterrestrial life. Through contributions from prominent scientists including Carl Sagan, George Wald, and anthropologist Ashley Montagu, the documentary examines scientific evidence for life on other planets, focusing particularly on Mars exploration. The film delves into the biological, chemical, and environmental requirements for life, comparing Earth's conditions with those found on other celestial bodies. It concludes with philosophical reflections on humanity's place in the cosmos and the implications of discovering or not discovering extraterrestrial civilizations.
About the Production
This documentary was produced during NASA's golden age of space exploration, coinciding with the Mariner missions to Mars. The film features actual NASA footage from planetary probes and includes interviews conducted at leading research institutions. Orson Welles' involvement was particularly significant given his history with 'War of the Worlds,' creating a unique narrative bridge between science fiction and scientific reality.
Historical Background
This documentary emerged during a pivotal period in space exploration and scientific discovery. The early 1970s saw the culmination of the Apollo moon missions and the beginning of detailed planetary exploration through unmanned probes. NASA's Mariner 9 had just completed the first successful orbit of another planet (Mars in 1971-1972), revealing surprising geological features and raising new questions about the possibility of past or present life. The film was produced during the Cold War, when space exploration served as both scientific endeavor and political competition. The growing environmental movement and increased public awareness of Earth's fragility also influenced the documentary's perspective on our place in the cosmos. This period also saw the rise of exobiology as a legitimate scientific field, with institutions like NASA establishing dedicated programs to search for extraterrestrial life.
Why This Film Matters
'Who's Out There?' represents an important bridge between the golden age of science fiction and the modern era of scientific exploration of space. The documentary helped transform public perception of the search for extraterrestrial life from pure speculation to a legitimate scientific inquiry. Its use of Orson Welles created a powerful narrative link between cultural mythology about aliens and the emerging scientific reality. The film contributed to the popularization of astrobiology and helped generate public support for continued planetary exploration. It also reflected and influenced the growing environmental consciousness of the 1970s by placing Earth in the broader context of cosmic environments. The documentary's educational approach set a standard for how complex scientific concepts could be made accessible to the general public without sacrificing accuracy.
Making Of
The production of 'Who's Out There?' was a collaborative effort between NASA's public affairs office and leading scientists of the era. Orson Welles was specifically chosen for his distinctive voice and his historical connection to the topic of Martian invasions. The filming took place across multiple NASA facilities, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, where scientists were analyzing data from Mars missions. The production team worked closely with Carl Sagan, who was then a professor at Cornell University and a key advisor to NASA on planetary exploration. The documentary utilized cutting-edge visual effects for its time, including animations depicting potential Martian environments and computer graphics showing the search for extraterrestrial signals. The interviews with scientists were conducted in their natural laboratory settings to provide authenticity and context for their expertise.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'Who's Out There?' combines actual NASA space footage with studio interviews and animated sequences. The film utilizes striking images from Mariner 9 and other space probes, providing viewers with unprecedented views of Mars and other planets. The interview segments are shot in a documentary style, with scientists shown in their natural laboratory environments to enhance authenticity. The visual presentation includes early computer-generated graphics and detailed animations depicting hypothetical extraterrestrial environments. The cinematography effectively contrasts the vastness of space with the microscopic view of potential life forms, creating a comprehensive visual narrative about the search for life in the universe.
Innovations
For its time, 'Who's Out There?' incorporated several technical innovations in documentary filmmaking. The film was among the first to extensively use actual planetary probe imagery in a popular documentary format. It featured early computer graphics to illustrate complex scientific concepts about planetary conditions and potential life forms. The documentary utilized advanced animation techniques to visualize hypothetical extraterrestrial environments and evolutionary processes. The production also employed sophisticated sound recording techniques to capture clear audio in various scientific facilities. The film's editing style, combining multiple visual formats including still photographs, motion pictures, and animations, was innovative for educational documentaries of its era.
Music
The documentary features an original electronic score that reflects the space-age aesthetic of the early 1970s. The music combines orchestral elements with synthesizer sounds to create an atmosphere of cosmic mystery and scientific inquiry. The soundtrack enhances the documentary's contemplative mood while maintaining viewer engagement during technical explanations. Sound design is particularly notable in sequences depicting space environments, where the absence of sound is used effectively to emphasize the isolation of space exploration. The musical score supports Welles' narration without overwhelming it, maintaining a balance between entertainment and educational purposes.
Famous Quotes
Are we alone in the universe? Or are there others, out there, among the stars?
Orson Welles opening narration
The search for extraterrestrial life is really a search for ourselves.
Carl Sagan
In the vastness of space and time, Earth may be unique, or it may be commonplace. The answer to that question may be the most important discovery in human history.
Orson Welles
Life, if it exists elsewhere, must obey the same laws of chemistry and physics that govern life on Earth.
George Wald
The discovery of extraterrestrial life, even in its simplest form, would revolutionize human thought and society.
Ashley Montagu
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Orson Welles reflects on his 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast, creating a powerful link between science fiction and scientific reality
- The segment showing actual Mariner 9 imagery of Mars, revealing canyons and volcanic features that sparked new questions about the planet's history
- Carl Sagan's explanation of the Drake Equation, breaking down the mathematical probability of extraterrestrial civilizations
- The animated sequence depicting possible evolutionary paths life might take on different planets
- The closing montage showing Earth from space accompanied by Welles' meditation on humanity's cosmic significance
Did You Know?
- Orson Welles' participation was particularly ironic given his 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast that caused mass panic about Martian invasions
- The film was created as part of NASA's public outreach program to increase scientific literacy and support for space exploration
- Carl Sagan's appearance came just a few years before his 'Cosmos' series would make him a household name
- The documentary features actual images from NASA's Mariner 9 spacecraft, which was the first to orbit another planet in 1971
- Anthropologist Ashley Montagu contributed perspectives on how contact with extraterrestrial life might affect human society and culture
- The film was distributed internationally through the United States Information Agency as part of American cultural diplomacy
- George Wald, a Nobel Prize-winning biologist, provided insights into the biochemical requirements for life
- The documentary was shown in schools and museums across America as an educational tool
- The title 'Who's Out There?' was chosen to be more accessible and less technical than typical NASA documentary titles
- The film was produced during the height of the Cold War space race, when public interest in space exploration was at its peak
What Critics Said
Upon its release, 'Who's Out There?' received praise from both scientific and educational communities for its balanced approach to a speculative topic. Critics particularly noted Welles' authoritative yet accessible narration style and the film's ability to present complex scientific concepts in an engaging manner. Science publications lauded the documentary for its scientific accuracy while maintaining popular appeal. The film was recognized for effectively using the latest NASA imagery and data to support its arguments about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Retrospective reviews have highlighted the documentary as a time capsule of 1970s thinking about space exploration and as an early example of the collaboration between entertainment figures and the scientific community that would become more common in later decades.
What Audiences Thought
The documentary was well-received by general audiences, particularly those interested in space and science. Its relatively short runtime and engaging presentation style made it popular in educational settings, where it was widely shown in schools and science museums. Viewers appreciated the combination of Welles' distinctive narration with the credibility of the scientific contributors. The film generated significant discussion about the possibility of life on other planets at a time when public interest in space exploration was still high following the Apollo missions. Many audience members noted how the documentary changed their perspective on Earth's uniqueness in the cosmos and increased their support for continued space exploration funding.
Awards & Recognition
- CINE Golden Eagle Award
- International Film and TV Festival of New York Award
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The War of the Worlds (1938 broadcast)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- NASA's actual planetary missions
- Scientific American articles on astrobiology
- The growing environmental movement
This Film Influenced
- Cosmos (1980 TV series)
- Contact (1997)
- The PBS Nova series on space exploration
- Numerous later documentaries on astrobiology
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Film Restoration
The film has been preserved by NASA's archives and is available through the National Archives. Digital restoration was completed in the early 2000s as part of a broader effort to preserve NASA's historical documentary materials. The original 16mm film elements are maintained in climate-controlled storage at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Several copies exist in university and museum collections dedicated to space exploration history.