The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Day the Earth Stood Still

Movie spotlight

The Day the Earth Stood Still

1951
Movie
92 min
English

An alien and a robot land on Earth after World War II and tell mankind to be peaceful or face destruction.

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic90
Google Users92%
Director: Robert WiseGenres: Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

An alien visitor, Klaatu, and his powerful robot, Gort, arrive on Earth with a dire warning for humanity. Klaatu's mission is to prevent the nations of Earth from launching themselves into an interplanetary war that could have catastrophic consequences for the galaxy. He attempts to communicate his message to world leaders but is met with fear and aggression, forcing him to take drastic measures to ensure his warning is heard.

Critical Reception

The 1951 film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' was met with critical acclaim and has since become a science fiction classic. Praised for its intelligent script, groundbreaking special effects for its time, and its prescient anti-war message, the film resonated with audiences and critics alike. It is often cited as one of the most influential science fiction films ever made.

What Reviewers Say

  • A thought-provoking and enduring science fiction masterpiece.

  • The film's message about nuclear annihilation and the need for global cooperation remains relevant.

  • Praised for its sophisticated storytelling and compelling performances.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praise 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' for its intelligent and timely message, its classic sci-fi elements, and its lasting impact on the genre. Many appreciate its cautionary tale about humanity's propensity for conflict and its plea for peace and understanding.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay (Edmund H. North). Inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2008.

Fun Fact

The iconic 'Klaatu barada nikto' phrase was originally conceived as a safety precaution for the robot Gort, should he go out of control; it's a command to halt his destructive capabilities.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is probably Michael Rennie's best cinema role here as he lands his spaceship in the middle of Washington DC. Of course, the Americans panic and surround the thing with tanks and machine guns, and when he emerges looking as human as the...

Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**An excellent sci-fi film.** This is one of the best and most influential films from the early days of sci-fi. The theme was not new, there were several films about aliens and flying saucers, but this is one of the best and most impactf...

John Chard

John Chard

I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. The Day the Earth Stood Still is directed by Robert Wise and adapted to screenplay by Edmund H. North from the story Farewell to the Master written by Harry Bates....

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