Ib Melchior was a writer and director best known for adapting classic literature to the big screen. In 1964 he wrote Robinson Crusoe on Mars and The Time Travelers. He also directed the latter, the story of a group of scientists who travel to the year 2071.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Melchior served in counter-intelligence for the U.S. during World War II, after which he was awarded a bronze star and knighted by the King of Denmark.

Melchior was also a novelist and short-story writer. One of his short stories, “The Racer,” led to the 1975 film Death Race 2000, and the 2008 Paul W.S. Anderson prequel Death Race, starring Jason Statham.

For television, he wrote a handful of episodes for science-fiction shows, including an episode for The Outer Limits in 1965, and two episodes of Men Into Space. He also wrote an episode for the horror show 13 Demon Street about a man who uses a voodoo doll for vengeance.

Melchior died March 13, 2015, in West Hollywood, California. He was 97.