The Cold War chill hadn’t yet hardened, but the air was thick with suspicion as a silver sphere pierced the Earth’s atmosphere, landing in the heart of Washington D.C. Panic erupted. Soldiers scrambled, guns raised at the seamless, alien craft. Then, the ramp descended, and from the shadows emerged Klaatu, a being of unsettling calm. A shot rang out, fired by a jittery soldier, and Klaatu fell. Beside him stood Gort, a towering robot of unimaginable power, its unblinking eye a silent promise of retribution. Dr. Helen Benson, a woman of science and reason, watched in horror as the military, led by the skeptical Tom Stevens, prepared for war with the unknown. As Klaatu was taken for treatment, he knew he had to find a way to deliver his vital message of peace and survival to Professor Jacob Barnhardt, a leading scientific figure, before fear consumed humanity. The day the Earth stood still was only just beginning, and the stakes were higher than anyone could imagine.
Movie Overview
Title | The Day the Earth Stood Still |
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Release Date | 1951-09-28 |
Runtime | 92 minutes |
Genre | Science Fiction, Thriller |
Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Michael Rennie | Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter |
Patricia Neal | Helen Benson |
Billy Gray | Bobby Benson |
Sam Jaffe | Prof. Jacob Barnhardt |
Hugh Marlowe | Tom Stevens |
Lock Martin | Gort |
Freeman Lusk | General Cutler |
Edith Evanson | Mrs. Crockett, landlady |
Frank Conroy | Mr. Harley, Secretary to the President |
Frances Bavier | Mrs. Barley, boarder |
John Brown | George Barley, boarder |
Olan Soule | Mr. Krull, boarder |
Marjorie Crossland | Hilda, Barnhart’s secretary |
Elmer Davis | Elmer Davis |
H.V. Kaltenborn | H. V. Kaltenborn |
Drew Pearson | Drew Pearson |
Gabriel Heatter | Gabriel Heatter (voice) |
Harry Lauter | Lieutenant in Charge of Landing Site |
James Doyle | Army Dr. White |
Larry Dobkin | Balding Army Doctor |
Robert Osterloh | Army Examining Doctor |
Glenn Hardy | Radio Interviewer at Landing Site |
Tyler McVey | Brady |
House Peters Jr. | M.P. Captain at Barnhardt’s |
George Lynn | Conference Colonel Ryder |
Dorothy Neumann | Margaret, Tom’s secretary |
Wheaton Chambers | Mr. Bleeker, jeweller |
Carleton Young | Zone Five Lieutenant Colonel |
Harry Harvey | The Cab Driver |
Sammy Ogg | Sammy, boy witness |
Bess Flowers | Lady Outside Jewelry Store |
James Seay | Government Man |
Grady Galloway | Radar Operator |
Hassan Khayyam | Indian Newscaster |
John Barton | British Newscaster |
Stuart Whitman | Sentry (scene deleted) |
Rama Bai | Scientific Delegate |
John Burton | British Radio Announcer |
Bill Welsh | Radio Announcer (voice) |
Storyline
In the aftermath of World War II, a silent, silver spacecraft descends upon Washington D.C., delivering Klaatu, a humanoid alien with a grave warning for humanity. Accompanied by Gort, a towering, emotionless robot of immense power, Klaatu seeks to address world leaders, but his attempts are met with fear and hostility. Shot after being mistaken for a threat, Klaatu, using the alias Mr. Carpenter, escapes the military hospital and seeks refuge in a boarding house, befriending a young widow named Helen Benson and her son, Bobby Benson. He immerses himself in their lives to understand humanity’s complexities. Meanwhile, the government, led by figures like Tom Stevens, intensifies its efforts to capture him, unaware of the devastating consequences Gort is capable of unleashing should Klaatu be harmed. Desperate to deliver his message of peace or face annihilation, Klaatu enlists the help of Professor Jacob Barnhardt, a renowned scientist, to gather the world’s leading minds. As paranoia grips the nation, Helen becomes increasingly convinced of Klaatu’s benevolent intentions. In a climactic confrontation, she must use the alien phrase “Klaatu barada nikto” to prevent Gort from enacting a planet-wide cleansing of violence, leaving humanity to contemplate its future and the potential for peaceful coexistence in a vast, indifferent universe.
Details
In the tense aftermath of World War II, the world is thrown into turmoil once more as a flying saucer lands in Washington D.C., carrying Klaatu, played by Michael Rennie, a humanoid alien emissary with a crucial message for humanity. Accompanied by Gort, a towering and powerful robot, Klaatu’s arrival sparks immediate fear and military response, derailing his initial attempt to address all nations simultaneously. Wounded in the chaos, Klaatu, adopting the alias Mr. Carpenter, seeks refuge and understanding among ordinary people, finding an unlikely ally in Helen Benson, portrayed by Patricia Neal, a young widow, and her son Bobby Benson, played by Billy Gray. As Klaatu observes human nature and its propensity for conflict, he enlists the help of Professor Jacob Barnhardt, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, portrayed by Sam Jaffe, to convene a meeting of the world’s leading minds. With time running out, Klaatu must convince humanity to abandon its destructive path or face dire consequences, delivering a chilling ultimatum that forces mankind to confront its own potential for self-destruction and consider a future of peace under the watchful eye of a superior power. The film explores themes of Cold War paranoia, the dangers of unchecked aggression, and the hope for a peaceful future, all while set against the backdrop of a nation grappling with its newfound global power and responsibility.
FAQs
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What is the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still” about?
It’s about an alien and a robot who land on Earth after World War II to warn humanity to live peacefully or face destruction.
When was “The Day the Earth Stood Still” released?
The movie was released on September 28, 1951.
What genres does “The Day the Earth Stood Still” belong to?
The film is classified as Science Fiction and Thriller.
Who directed “The Day the Earth Stood Still”?
Robert Wise directed the movie.
Who are the main actors in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”?
The main actors are Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, and Billy Gray.
What is the name of the alien in the movie?
The alien’s name is Klaatu, and he uses the alias Mr. Carpenter while on Earth.
What is the name of the robot in the movie?
The robot’s name is Gort.
Which production company made “The Day the Earth Stood Still”?
20th Century Fox produced the film.
What is the movie’s tagline?
The tagline is: From out of space…A warning and an ultimatum.
What is the language spoken in the movie?
The primary language spoken is English, with some French.
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