The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 39min
CAST— Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier, Lock Martin
MUSIC— Bernard Herrmann  DIRECTOR— Robert Wise  BASED ON— Farewell to the Master (story), by Harry Bates

     Classic science fiction from an era of less than remarkable sci-fi. A spacecraft of extraterrestrial origin lands in downtown DC during an age of flying saucer scares. Nope, this is the real deal. Out of the spacecraft emerges a humanoid figure who states that he comes in peace; the humans present react in typical aggressive fashion. Later, as the alien blends into the populace he learns more about humanity and feels a greater need to carry out his mission: to gather an international conclave and warn them of the dangers of atomic warfare. Yes, as it turns out this is yet another atomic-age freak out film, yet delivered with a dramatic flair so as to undermine the science-fiction, while still conveying a message of peace. A rather simplistic morality tale, the message still needing to be heard today. Klaatu Barada Nicto! Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.  AKA Farewell to the Master, Journey to the World.

OUR RATING— ***

REMADE AS— The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)