The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) | |
| Director(s) | Robert Wise |
| Producer(s) | Julian Blaustein |
| Top Genres | Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | Aliens, Book-Based, Cold War |
Featured Cast:
The Day the Earth Stood Still Overview:
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) was a Drama - Science Fiction Film directed by Robert Wise and produced by Julian Blaustein.
The film was based on the short story Farewell to the Master written by Harry Bates published in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine in October 1940.
SYNOPSIS
Though it lacks the digital-era special effects (and the hero's giant robot companion looks as menacing as an industrial Maytag), this may be one of the greatest science-fiction films of all time. Soberly, almost solemnly, it depicts the arrival of an alien dignitary who has come to earth to deliver a message: stop warring among yourselves or you will be destroyed. Bidden to Washington, the world's leaders squabble until the alien ambassador loses patience and slips into the world to learn why humans can't hear the truth. Herrmann wrote the haunting score.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Day the Earth Stood Still was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1995.
BlogHub Articles:
Michael Rennie is the visitor from space in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”
By Stephen Reginald on May 29, 2024 From Classic Movie ManMichael Rennie is the visitor from space in “The Day the Earth Stood Still” The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) was an American science fiction film directed by Robert Wise and starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, and Hugh Marlowe. The supporting cast includes Sam Jaffe, Frances... Read full article
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951, Robert Wise)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Dec 26, 2017 From The Stop ButtonThe Day the Earth Stood Still opens with these sensational titles. 3D text jumping out, set against the backdrop of space, Bernard Herrmann?s score at its loudest; the titles suggest the film is going to be something grandiose. It is and it isn?t. For the first act, director Wise moves quickly, shor... Read full article
ClassicFlix (Teen Scene): The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 30, 2017 From The Wonderful World of CinemaFrom March 2015 to April 2017, I was writing the monthly Teen Scene column for the website ClassicFlix. My objective was to promote classic films among teenagers and young adults. Due to the establishing of a new version of the website, it?s now more difficult to access to the old version and read t... Read full article
Classics Revisited: The Day the Earth Stood Still
By Barry P. on Aug 16, 2015 From Cinematic Catharsis(1951) Directed by: Robert Wise; Written by: Edmund H. North; Based on the story “Farewell to the Master,” by Harry Bates; Starring: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe and Lock Martin; Available on Blu-ray and DVD Rating: ***** “I'm impatient with ... Read full article
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
By Beatrice on Jul 24, 2015 From Flickers in TimeThe Day the Earth Stood Still Directed by Robert Wise Written by Edmund H. North 1951/USA Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #252 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die The sleek design of this early sci-fi thriller with a message has held up remarkably well ... Read full article
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Quotes from
Klaatu: I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.
[Klaatu is revived by Gort after being fatally shot]
Helen: I - I thought you were...
Klaatu: I was.
Helen: You mean... he has the power of life and death?
Klaatu: No. That power is reserved to the Almighty Spirit. This technique, in some cases, can restore life for a limited period.
Helen: But... how long?
Klaatu: You mean how long will I live? That no one can tell.
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Facts about
The screenplay was based on the story "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates. It was originally published in the pulp magazine "Astounding Science-Fiction."
To depict the seamless closing of the ship and its ramp, they just reversed the film of the shot of the ship's ramp and door appearing.
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