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65 years later, 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' is still a masterpiece!

posted 9 years ago by mickeyone
5 replies | jump to latest

Be Gone Keanu Reeves' Remake of 'The Day The Earth Stood Still': 1951's Is a Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Sixty-five years later, 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' is as pertinent, prophetic, and engaging as it ever was.

It’s 1951. The United States is four years into the Cold War and one year into the Korean War. The specter of nuclear annihilation hangs over everyone’s heads. Throughout the world, it’s a time of enormous tension and equally enormous promise. Humanity seemed to be at a tipping point. The nuclear horrors of World War II were still fresh in the minds of the public, and the United States was enjoying never-before-seen prosperity. It’s into that volatile mixture that Robert Wise and Edmund H. North released The Day the Earth Stood Still, possibly the most visionary science fiction film ever made.

https://www.inverse.com/article/12639-be-g-keanu-reeves-remake-of-the-day-the-earth-stood-still-1951-s-is-a-sci-fi-masterpiece

[–] kbarada 9 years ago

Well said mickeyone. In the context of post World War II, it was exceptionally relevant and remains especially so in this current era of nuclear bomb proliferation into belligerent nations around the world.

I guess klatuu and his doomsday machine Gort are OK with us killing each other here on earth. So far, we have made no known contact, nor threatened anyone in or outside of our solar system. While confining our killing to here on earth may save us from total destruction by Gort, what will save us from annihilating ourselves?

[–] wlp325 9 years ago

While confining our killing to here on earth may save us from total destruction by Gort, what will save us from annihilating ourselves?

It's Klaatu's and Gort's (re-) visit in the (much inferior) 2008 remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still; wherein the alien representatives are here to warn humans if they don't stop their self-destructive tendencies (and destroying the Earth in the process), the aliens will save all non-human species, wipe the planet clean of all human life, then restore all the non-human life. The threat and initial implementation of that alien plan presumably will stop those self-annihilation tendencies.

Rest in peace, Roger Ebert. You were the best.

[–] flickfiend 8 years ago

I totally agree.

I saw it last night.

Even though it's a little stiff by today's standards, it really captures the culture of the early 50's, and the D.C. scene as well.

I grew up in D.C., and it was really trippy watching this.

Classic flick- Rennie was a class act, and perfect for the role of Klaatu.

His speech at the end, is cause for concern, for our present world condition.

Obviously, things haven't changed much in the area of "abuse of power" (the main theme of the movie).

[–] flickfiend 8 years ago

PS- it's really funny but, all the responses to your post are mistitled.

"masterpiece" is misspelled.

It's now "masterpie" (sounds tasty to me ;0)

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

I totally agree. This movie is stunning in foresight and prediction.