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The Day the Earth Stood StillRating:
Release Date: 02 March, 2004 Retail Price: $14.98 OUR Price: $7.47 You SAVE: $7.51! Cast: Complete Cast (11 total) |
The Day the Earth Stood Still Reviews
ROBERT WISE Born: 10-Sep-1914 Died: 14-Sep-2005
The Day the Earth stood Still (1951)was not only among the very best Science Fiction films, in my view; it was also one of the most courageous. We all know the story; messenger Klaatu (Michael Rennie) is sent to warn the endemical violent nations of Earth that "if they threaten to extend their petty jealousies and rivalries to the other planets their own planet will be reduced to a burned out cinder".
The earth creatures make an early start on that "extension" by shooting Klaatu the minute he steps off his spaceship.
Apart from being shot by a single panicking soldier, Klaatu soon realises that the world's leaders themselves,have no idea of the dangers their planet faces. The telegrams he urged the American President to send requesting a meeting receive shortsighted, you might even say pompous, rejections.
He then tries to alert the world through the scientific community, in the person of Dr. Barnhardt (Samuel Jaffe); an obvious allusion to Einstein.
Barnhardt, concerned that the world leaders may not see the gravity of the world's situation, asks Klaatu to arrange arranges "a little demonstration" of the power at his command.
Klaatu neutralizes the Earth's electrical supply for 30 minutes.
Barnhardt is the point of reference for the red scare sweeping America: Albert Einstein had ugred Americans NOT to cooperate with the House un-American Activites Committee. The meeting of international scientists Barnhardt calls at the ship is a reference to the 1949 Peace Conference at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Scientists from both the Soviet Bloc and Free World attended the meeting. The heated anti-communist demonstrations before the hotel were an indication of the deep suspicion among some Americans that peace-talk was a 'commie trick' to soften up the West in preparation for an attack.
Message ~ in 1951 only Commies talked about world peace.
When Bobbie Benson (Billy Gray) says that he thought atomic power was only for bombs, and Klaatu says it is for lots of other things too, Wise puts his own reputation on the line.
Message ~ in 1951 only Commies talked about the peaceful use of atomic energy. Eisenhower was not to make his "Atoms for Peace" speech until 1954!
The idea of robots like Gort with irrevocable power to destroy planets, was an allusion to world government and loss of national sovereignty.
Message ~ Klaatu's plan undermined Rugged Individualism and REALLY "smelled of a commie rat!"
The studio was worried about using Sam Jaffe because some people in power thought he was a commie. Jaffe was in fact blacklisted shortly after "Day" and did not work again until 1959.
more when I think of it.
An oldie, but goodie!
I've watched this movie since the late 1950's. It just gets better everytime I watch. When I saw it at Amazon on DVD, there was no question about whether or not to purchase it. My other copy on VHS has just about had it. The interviews and extras add a whole new dimension to watching. If you're a fan, stop reading this and order one today. Today's world could really use a "Gort".
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