The Production GuideScript To Screen: Devil's Planet
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideDevil's Planet was written and filmed under the title "Devil's Moon". The script, by Michael Winder, was dated 9th September 1976. The images show the Martin Landau's script, thanks to Carine Wils. The cover is heavily doodled with smiling flowers, while the front page shows Landau noting "Track down old tapes and films" and listing several titles including Columbo, Bob and Carol and Martin and Barbara, Savage and Welcome Home Johnny Bristol.
Landau writes: Pages 1 to 8 - too clinical, too medical. I should relate to these things out of savvy instead of standing back + taking orders from subordinate characters
Landau also notes "Pages 41 + 46 Dialogue re: violence" which the following pages will explain.
The script was revised with pink pages on 18th October, with 4 pages of line amendments, plus 17 replacement pages. The shooting schedule was issued on 28th October, with filming starting on 2nd November.
In the screened version, Helena's opening narration states Koenig and Maine are on a reconnaissance mission to investigate two planets capable of supporting life.
Helena: "Moonbase Alpha Status Report. 2306 days after leaving Earth orbit. Doctor Helena Russell recording. Five days ago we detected two planets in our East Quadrant which may be capable of supporting life. Commander John Koenig has lifted off in Eagle One on a reconnaissance mission. With him is Blake Maine of the Medical Rescue Team."
In the 9th September script (unchanged in the 18th October revised page), this is a medical rescue mission, hence the presence of Blake Maine.
Helena: "Moonbase Alpha. Status Report. Dr. Helena Russell recording. 2306 days after leaving Earth orbit. Exactly five days ago, we picked up a distress signal from the East Quadrant... The signal consisted of just two words: Save us. Commander Koenig has lifted off in Eagle One to investigate. With him, is Blake Maine of the Medical Rescue Team."
Some technical small-talk was cut from pages 1 and 2 in the 18th October revisions. Scene 3 loses all the dialogue, except for Koenig's opening line, originally in scene 5: "sensors read vegetation- no other life forms." Scenes 4 and 5 are deleted.
1.
HOOK
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE SKY (SFX) 1
Various angles on Eagle One in flight.
HELENA (V.O.)
(narrating)
Moonbase Alpha. Status Report!
Dr. Helena Russell recording.
2306 days after leaving Earth
orbit. Exactly five days ago,
we picked up a distress signal
from the East Quadrant...
The signal consisted of just
two words: Save us.
2 EXT. SPACE SKY (SFX) 2
Eagle One approaches Ellna, an Earth-type planet.
Entra, Ellna's 'moon', in b.g.
HELENA (V.O.) (contd.)
Commander Koenig has lifted off
in Eagle One to investigate.
With him, is Blake Maine of the
Medical Rescue Team.
3 INT. EAGLE ONE. PILOT SECTION 3
KOENIG and BLAKE MAINE, a young, wry-humored Medical
Pilot at the controls. KOENIG and MAINE are intent upon
their approach to Ellna and an exchange of faint dialogue
ensues between them.
KOENIG
Prepare for orbital survey
of planet...
MAINE makes some adjustments.
MAINE
All go for orbital survey.
KOENIG
Ready for Orbital one...
MAINE
(another adjustment
of controls)
Ready when you are, Commander.
As we see KOENIG hit some buttons on control panel.
2
4 EXT. SPACE/ PLANET ELLNA (SFX)
CLOSE ON a segment of planet as Eagle One closes
and goes into orbit.
5 INT. EAGLE ONE. PILOT SECTION
MAINE
I've got a real nice holding
orbital pattern for you,
Commander. A hundred and
fifty miles above the surface.
(of planet below)
...it's all yours...
KOENIG makes some adjustments of instruments, trans-
lates readings.
KOENIG
...sensors read vegetation -
no other life forms...
MAINE looks towards the Eagle Screen.
Space 1999 copyright ITV Studios Global Entertainment. Thanks to Carine Wils.