Fabulous animation, wonderful creativity, and a whimsical tale from Karel Zeman. The artwork is just stunning, and there are many memorable visual elements, including the lunar landscape, Moorish architecture, clandestine meetings between lovers, undersea horseback riding, dude riding a cannonball, and various creatures, some imaginary. The story is relatively low-key but it's peppered with humor and delightful little touches. If you like Georges Melies, Ray Harryhausen, Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, or Wes Anderson, this will probably be in your wheelhouse. I loved it.
Oh, and this quote was incredibly timely for 1962, as the race for the moon was in its early stages: "Until now, Luna has belonged to us poets and dreamers, daring fantasists, adventurers in powdered wigs, fantasists in frock coats, and those in bizarre helmets out of the pages of the latest novels. And of course to lovers. Yes, lovers' claims on the moon have always been the strongest. But now I fling my hat aloft that it may sail up to the stars and welcome on our behalf all you brave souls hurtling at this very moment into the outstretched arms of the cosmos!"
Oh, and this quote was incredibly timely for 1962, as the race for the moon was in its early stages: "Until now, Luna has belonged to us poets and dreamers, daring fantasists, adventurers in powdered wigs, fantasists in frock coats, and those in bizarre helmets out of the pages of the latest novels. And of course to lovers. Yes, lovers' claims on the moon have always been the strongest. But now I fling my hat aloft that it may sail up to the stars and welcome on our behalf all you brave souls hurtling at this very moment into the outstretched arms of the cosmos!"