The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
 One
of the most influential science fiction films of all time, 1951's The
Day the Earth Stood Still was a parable for the nuclear age, a
warning to earthlings everywhere.
Harry Bates' story Farewell to the Master served as a
basis for the film, which introduced the world to an alien named
Klaatu, a robot named Gort and a sleek flying saucer from beyond
the stars.
What starts out like any other day on planet Earth turns into
an international frenzy when a metallic UFO lands in front of the
White House in Washington DC.
Newscasters, military units and curious citizens surround the
landed craft, and once the drama has sufficiently built up, the
human-looking Klaatu and his large robot Gort emerge.
Despite Klaatu's promise that, "We have come to visit you
in peace and with good will" a panicky soldier shoots the
visitor, wounding him. Gort responds with force, disintegrating
the army's weapons.
After calming his robotic protector, Klaatu is taken to a
military hospital, where he announces that he has a message to
deliver to the combined leaders of every nation on Earth. When
politics get in the way of Klaatu's delivery, the alien escapes,
hiding out as average human Mr. Carpenter at a boarding house run
by kindly young widow Helen Benson.
Helen and her son Bobby convince "Mr. Carpenter" that
humans do have a bit of kindness and good sense left in them, but
Klaatu still has a message to deliver.
With the help of scientist Dr. Barnhardt, Klaatu arranges a
demonstration of his abilities, shutting down all electrical power
in the world (except for hospitals and airplanes in flight) for a
full hour. This only makes the government more worried, and after
a betrayal by one of his supposed earthling friends, Klaatu's
message - and even the fate of the Earth itself - hangs in a
precarious balance.
Directed by Robert Wise - a former editor (Citizen Kane)
who would later helm West Side Story and The Sound of
Music - The Day the Earth Stood Still brought science
fiction into the mainstream, elevating it above B-movie status
with a timely, grave warning for humanity.
The movie was also good entertainment, featuring a memorable
score by Bernard Herrmann that helped make the electronic Theremin
the instrument of choice in sci-fi music for years to come.
The influence of The Day The Earth Stood Still continues
today in every flying saucer movie produced, and a gracious nod to
the phrase "Klaatu Barada Nikto" can be found in several
sci-fi flicks of subsequent years.
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