Himmelskibet, Excelsior / A Trip to Mars / Das Himmelschiff is a 1918 Danish film about a trip to Mars. In 2006, the film was restored and re-released on DVD by the Danish Film Institute. Phil Hardy says it is "the film that marked the beginning of the space opera subgenre of science fiction," but notes that Denmark did not make another science fiction film until Reptilicus in 1961. Cast Gunnar Tolnæs as Avanti Planetaros - Captain of the Space Ship Zanny Petersen as Corona, Avanti's Sister Nicolai Neiiendam as Professor Planetaros, Astronomer Alf Blütecher as Dr. Krafft, Avanti's Friend Svend Kornbeck as David Dane, American Philip Bech as Martian leader - Wise Man Lilly Jacobson as Marya, Martian Leader's Daughter Frederik Jacobsen as Professor Dubius Production crew Production Design by Carlo Jacobsen Art Direction by Axel Bruun See also List of films set on Mars Human mission to Mars References External links Himmelskibet on YouTube Plot summary Programme in Danish with pictures Himmelskibet 1918 films 1910s science fiction films Danish black-and-white films Danish science fiction films Danish silent films Films about extraterrestrial life Mars in film Films directed by Holger-Madsen Silent science fiction films