A Trip to Mars (1918): The First Space Opera? | EP01

The space opera is one of the most spectacular and influential subgenres in science fiction. From epic interplanetary adventures to galaxy-spanning conflicts, space opera stories helped shape the way we imagine humanity’s future among the stars.

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we begin our exploration of the space opera genre by travelling back to one of the earliest examples of cinematic science fiction: A Trip to Mars (1918). This Danish silent film imagines a voyage to another planet decades before modern sci-fi blockbusters like Star Wars or Guardians of the Galaxy.

Together we explore the origins of space travel in cinema, the themes that would later define the space opera genre, and how early filmmakers imagined life beyond Earth.

LISTEN BELOW:

What Is Space Opera?

Space opera is a science fiction subgenre focused on large-scale adventure stories set in space, often involving heroic journeys, alien worlds, interstellar conflict and grand cosmic stakes.

The term was first coined in the 1940s as a playful reference to melodramatic adventure stories published in pulp magazines. Over time, however, space opera became one of the defining pillars of science fiction storytelling.

Key elements of the genre include:

• Interplanetary or interstellar travel

• Alien civilisations and strange new worlds

• Epic heroism and grand adventure

• Large-scale conflicts between empires or factions

• Themes of exploration and humanity’s place in the universe

While modern audiences associate space opera with films like Star Wars or Dune, the foundations of the genre were laid much earlier in the history of science fiction cinema.

Film Overview

A Trip to Mars (1918)

Director: Holger-MadsenWriter: Sophus MichaëlisProduction Company: Nordisk FilmRelease Year: 1918

A Trip to Mars is one of the earliest feature-length science fiction films ever made. Produced in Denmark during the silent film era, the story follows an inventor who travels to Mars in a rocket ship and discovers a peaceful civilisation vastly different from life on Earth.

Rather than depicting Mars as a hostile alien world, the film imagines a utopian society that ultimately reflects back on humanity’s own flaws. The Martians live in harmony without war or greed, highlighting the destructive tendencies of human civilisation during a time when Europe was emerging from the devastation of World War I.

Why This Film Matters in Sci-Fi History

Although A Trip to Mars predates the modern concept of space opera, it contains many of the ideas that would later define the genre.

The film explores:

• Humanity travelling beyond Earth

• Encounters with alien civilisations

• Philosophical reflections on society and morality

• The possibilities of life on other planets

These themes would become central to later space opera stories, from early pulp novels to blockbuster sci-fi films of the late twentieth century.

In this sense, A Trip to Mars represents an important step in the development of science fiction cinema.

Discussion Points from the Episode

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore several key questions about the film and its place in the genre:

• How did early filmmakers imagine space travel before the space age?

• What does A Trip to Mars reveal about attitudes toward war and society in the early 20th century?

• Does the film present Mars as a utopia, and what does that say about Earth?

• How do early science fiction films influence the development of space opera storytelling?

We also discuss how this film connects to the broader history of sci-fi cinema and the evolution of the space opera genre.

The Beginning of Our Space Opera Series

This episode marks the start of our Journey Through Sci-Fi Space Opera series, where we explore the films that helped define this spectacular science fiction tradition.

Across the series we’ll look at how space opera evolved from early speculative cinema to the modern era of blockbuster sci-fi.

Expect discussions of:

• early silent science fiction films

• classic pulp-inspired adventures

• iconic space opera movies

• the evolution of cosmic storytelling in film

• 
  

Listen to the Episode

You can listen to Space Opera E01: Introduction & A Trip to Mars (1918) wherever you get your podcasts.

🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🎧 Amazon Music

Or explore the full Journey Through Sci-Fi archive to discover more episodes covering the history of science fiction cinema.