By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Billy Gray | Frances Bavier | Hugh Marlowe | Lock Martin | Michael Rennie | Patricia Neal | Sam Jaffe
Country: united_states
Year: 1951
Running time: 92
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/reference
Michael says: “I always had the impression that the 50s science fiction movies were cheesy and dumb, and not really worth the time to watch them. I’m glad I was wrong, and that I decided to check out THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, released in 1951, directed by Robert Wise, who went on to make such films as WEST SIDE STORY, THE HAUNTING, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, AUDREY ROSE, and STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE. That’s quite a line-up if you ask me. The 50’s was the perfect tie for this wave of paranoid science fiction detailing visitors from other planets. The second world war was wrapped up, but the distant threat of communism, and the early rumblings of a Cold War were brewing. That threat of war was easier to imagine coming from outer space, but the precarious balance of our own society was also on our minds.
“In THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, an alien space craft circles the globe before landing in a park by the White House in Washington, DC. The military, along with hundreds of spectators, gather around to see what will happen. When a humanoid in a space suit and a towering robot emerge from the craft, everyone is on edge. The being introduces himself as Klaatu and says he comes in peace with a message that must be delivered to all the world leaders at once. Unfortunately, one trigger happy soldier gets a little nervous, and injures Klaatu, and the robot demonstrates how easily it would be to turn the tables by destroying al the weapons in the area. Klaatu is brought to a hospital and he recovers, but finds himself locked in his room and can only desperately try to negotiated with an official sent from the President who says it would be impossible to bring all the world leaders together because of the rampant mistrust among Earthlings.
“The rest of the film follows Klaatu as he eludes captivity, and befriends Helen Benson, a mother with a young son at a boarding house. Without knowing his true identity, Helen and her son help Klaatu connect with a scientist of some renown who agrees to let the alien speak to the assembled world scientific leaders who were coming to DC for a conference. However to convince them all of the importance of this meeting, Klaatu must demonstrate the power at his command, which shakes the world and humanity into a renewed defensive posture, thereby stepping up the manhunt for the renegade alien. The heart of the story, of course, is Helen and her son, who show that not all of humanity are paranoid, or prince to violence. Some yearn for the peace that comes with people helping each other, and it is through their, and Klaatu’s ultimate sacrifices that a peaceful resolution is able to be found.
“Sure the special effects are cheesy, but not bad for 1951. Yes, the message comes at us pretty loud and clear, but no worse that many films today. One strong highlight is having Patricia Neal star as Helen Benson. I recently loved Neal in THE FOUNTAINHEAD, and was delighted to see her again in this pivotal role. Michael Rennie plays Klaatu pretty straight, and does a good job as well. Ultimately, I found the film well structured, meaningful and entertaining. 4 cats“