The Day The Earth Stood Still
Picture: B-
Sound: C+ Extras: A- Film: A-
In her 1965 essay “Imagination
of Disaster,” Susan Sontag condemns science fiction films as intellectual
and artistic failures, employing cheap genre tricks that militate against any
critical thought. Although Sontag’s
perspective echoed throughout the film studies discipline for the next couple
of decades, numerous films scholars, such as Vivian Sobchack and J.P. Telotte,
have recently revisited the science fiction genre, arguing that many of these
films require intellectual examination.
Robert Wise’s 1951 film The Day
the Earth Stood Still
has benefited greatly from this renewed interest in science fiction.
Like many
of its contemporaries, The Day the Earth
Stood Still couches an otherworldly narrative with present day political
and social concerns. Produced only six
years removed from the first atomic explosion, the increased tensions of the
Cold War coupled with the rapid proliferation of nuclear weapons presented the
real possibility that humans were capable of inviting their own
extinction. The Day the Earth Stood Still follows the story of Klaatu (Michael
Rennie), an alien visiting Earth on a mission of peace. The film opens, given the time, with a
rather impressive sequence where Klaatu’s flying saucer lands in Washington
D.C. Misreading his actions as hostile,
Klaatu is shot by the military, who, in turn, are attacked by Gort (Lock
Martin), Klaatu’s guardian robot. Taken
to the hospital, Klaatu informs a government official that he has an urgent
message that can only be delivered to an assembly of all the nations of the
world. With great resignation, the
diplomat enumerates the impossibility of such a request, given the current
political climate of mistrust and aggression.
Confused by the response, Klaatu escapes the hospital determined to
better understand the human race. What
follows is a now commonplace, fish out of water narrative where Klaatu
befriends a widow (Patricia Neal) and her son (Billy Gray), who help him get to
Gort and the United Nations meeting to ultimately save the human race.
Presented
for the first time on DVD by the Fox Studio Classics series, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a must
see for those interested in the development of science fiction, or just 1950s
film in general. It touches on some
interesting themes and religions imagery, which would be trite if made today,
however, the film does provide insight into the dangers of continued nuclear
proliferation. Like the other films in
the series, it is complete with an informative documentary, the shooting
script, trailers and stills. The DVD
also contains Movietone Newsreels from 1951, which is rather ironic given the
message of the film and the rhetoric used by the news stories. Filmed in full frame black and white, the
restoration demonstration illuminates the improved quality of the
transfer. Even though the explosion of
special effects, especially in the science fiction genre, has created a more
cynical audience, the film ages rather well.
The special effects, while dated, are not hokey and are reminders of a
less technologically dependent filmmaking era.
The most
informative special feature is the commentary track, an interview/conversation
between filmmakers Robert Wise and Nicolas Meyer. They discuss the difficulty of making a pro-peace film in the
midst of the Cold War and how the War Department refused to support the
production with equipment, a similar problem faced by Stanley Kubrick with Dr. Strangelove. The most disappoint part to the commentary
centers on the discussion over the political message of the film. There is an ironic twist to the end of the
film regarding its larger message that Meyer asked about, which could be fertile
ground for discussion, yet Wise’s retort was somewhat dismissive and
underwhelming. Additionally, Mr. Wise
has a tendency to mumble at the end of his sentences, especially during his
anecdotes, which makes for difficult listening. Yet, they do delve into a conversation on the craft of directing,
which any film buff would find interesting.
Overall, given the low cost of the Fox Studio Classics, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a wise
investment.
- Ron Von Burg
