MovieChat Forums > The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Discussion > Interior of the spaceship looks fururist...

Interior of the spaceship looks fururistic even to today's eyes

posted 10 years ago by sasha99
11 replies | jump to latest

The interior of the spacecraft has aged extremely well. In fact, it hasn't aged at all. Some spaceships of the 1950s and even later look laughably dated by today's standards. Like the one (I forget which one) that had spacecraft passengers seated in folding chairs--they weren't even bolted down, and not a seatbelt in sight. Even early Star Trek sets look, well, old-fashioned.

In contrast, Klaatu's spaceship interior is sleek, beautiful, and so high tech that there's virtually no visible tech at all. This seems to be a civilization that has evolved beyond buttons, handles, levers, and readouts. It's a brilliant and timeless design.

[–] leader-7 10 years ago

Fabulous -- I agree. and look how he sweeps his hand across the panel to open the door and lights go on?

*****************************************
The world doesn't owe you a damn thing.
Lauren Bacall

[–] kbarada 10 years ago

Yes, I loved that minimalist look that belied the highly advanced technology. Think how far we have come with our own technology since 1951 when TDTESS came out.

If we can dream it, we can eventually build it. For me, this is the real value of science fiction. Inevitably, that which is dreamed is achieved given some time.

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 9 years ago

I agree. These classic old movies are what inspired a great number of today's scientists to go into science: To make these things real.

And that control room really has held up well with its panels of clear and frosted plastic and its no-touch switches.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
— Arthur C Clarke

[–] cmashieldscapting 9 years ago

It made the klunky 50s technology look even more archaic by comparison.

[–] DracTarashV 10 years ago

I absolutely agree. It was a highly unusual, but very unique design.

Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!

[–] puirt-a-beul 9 years ago

It's a brilliant and timeless design.

It really is, I agree.

Doesn't look very comfortable, though. Not somewhere you'd want to spend much time, for long-term travel, say, between star systems. That communication room appears to be at the centre of the ship, with no suggestion (from the size of the ship in the closing sequences, anyway) that there are other compartments -- just a corridor around it leading to the entry ramp.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[–] zeta1983-1 9 years ago

I am assuming that Klatu's spaceship was probably a scout ship meant just to bring him to Earth and probably has a larger ship that it goes up to for any long-term spaceflight. But it is true that it does look a lot more technological and compact compared to modern day spaceflight where we have spaceships where everything has to be connected to the wall and everything looks like strung together machinery. But you would think an alien race like that probably would have a more compact ship because more advanced the technology is the less bells and whistles you need.

[–] rsgre 9 years ago

I agree, I watched this again recently and was surprised how modern the interior of the space ship looked, not dated at all. The designer was incredibly forward in his thinking, amazing. Oh, but those old cars, and no smog controls back them, ugh, I remember the terrible smell !

RSGRE

[–] sasha99 8 years ago

I just watched it again this evening for the umpty-millionth time. Love this movie!

Klaatu told Helen that the police robots patrolled the universe in those ships. So presumably they weren't outfitted to be especially comfy for humanoids.

[–] flickfiend 8 years ago

I was taken back as well.

Yet another example of the timelessness of this classic movie.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

I've always thought that the interior of Klaatu's space ship was very elegant.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!