Robinson Crusoe on Mars

Robinson Crusoe on Mars (Criterion #404). 1964 Paramount Pictures.
Starring: Paul Mantee, Victor Lundin, Adam West
Director: Byron Haskin
Available at Amazon.

Two men, Commander Christopher "Kit" Draper (Mantee) and Colonel Dan McReady (West) are on a mission to Mars. Forced to use up their fuel supply to avoid a collision with a meteor upon arrival, the ship they're in becomes stuck in orbit. Forced to eject, McReady is killed after landing, and Draper survives, but is stranded alone on the Red Planet, with only a monkey named Mona for company.

Finding a cave for shelter, Draper soon discovers that if he burns some coal-like rocks for warmth, they will give off oxygen, allowing him to refill his air tank. Since he needs periodic doses of oxygen, he also constructs a sand clock that sounds off an alarm to awaken him for the doses. Later, after noticing that Mona keeps disappearing, and she also seems uninterested in the dwindling supply of food and water, Draper discovers what she has found: an underground pond, with edible plant "sausages" growing there.

The days grow into months, and Draper slowly loses it due to the prolonged isolation, but he discovers that he isn't alone after finding a buried corpse with a black bracelet on. Draper soon learns that advanced aliens are using slave labor for mining on Mars, and one slave escapes, running into Draper. This slave, soon to be dubbed "Friday" (Lundin), is also wearing a black bracelet. Draper teaches Friday to speak English, while Friday shows him pills that provide oxygen.

The aliens return, tracking Friday. Draper, Friday and Mona are forced to flee through underground canals, eventually making their way up to the polar icecap. Draper succeeds in cutting Friday's bracelets off, and soon, an approaching spaceship appears. After realizing there are humans onboard, Draper identifies himself, and a lander is sent to pick him and his two companions up.

A great old school sci-fi film. Highly recommended.