Well, let's face it - both times it was produced, The Day The Earth Stood Still was clearly created as a message from people who thought of themselves as "more enlightened" to "the rest of us." The first time it was about the nuclear threat, and the second time about the environmental threat. People who think like that are usually the ones who also have a stronger notion in their minds of "all of us getting along," yeah? I have no doubt what you noted was perfectly deliberate.
I agree. And still watch it from time to time. For me anyway the original version was far better than the remake. Another favorite is *War of the Worlds* again I like the original one. :)
I watched this as a kid and was always blown away by how well made and prescient it was. It was the first 'old' film that made me realise age doesn't matter when the writing is on point.
@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 crap low intelligence and white hating, i saw three movies were all the blondes was bad ones and darker one the hero's. ya right i can tell you want ones if you want to know
The Day The Earth Stood Still is my favorite movie of all time, of any genre. The message Klaatu brings isn’t to stop fighting. He even says the other planets aren’t concerned with Earth’s petty squabbles and no rights were to be given up, except the right to bring war off of Earth. In that event the Earth would be “reduced to a burned out cinder”. And Minty, you’re correct; sadly we haven’t learned.
Jay, I feel the same way. Peace Through Fear seems so controversial, yet sometimes I think is still necessary. I grew up during the Cold War, and so many nations were afraid to start any conflicts that could ruffle the feathers of the USA and USSR. Dictator nations use this method all the time. And even many religions have enforced goodness using the threat of Hell. In Marvel Comics, Dr Doom enforces peace and productivity on humanity "whether it likes it or not". And as a US Veteran, I assure that even the US Government is not "100% good-guy"! While I believe in more positive methods in the 21st century, I also know that some people just won't learn their lessons until they are at "the end of the line". So Yes, it is a tough question. Humanity wants to ensure freedom, productivity, and peace. But how will you be certain that humanity will behave? As Klatuu said, "We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you."
I thought about that "reduced to a cinder" part felt more like "we're so much more powerful that you'll lose badly if you declare war and we'd rather destroy your planet than assume you'll eventually change."
HI W, YES, BUT GORT WILL BE ALONE IN HIS SHIP LOOKING FOR HELLEN. AFTER LOSING KLATU TO HIS INJURY, G. RAMPGES AROUND EARTH TO REPLACE HIS HUMAN PARTNER!!! HE REMEMBERS THE ASSISTANCE SHE GAVE KLATU AND HAS CHOSEN HER TO TRUST. ONLY HIS NATURE OF SELF DEFENSE HAS CAUSED HIM TO SEEK FOR HER IN A FRIGHTNING MANNER. EARTH MILITARY REMEMBERS HER SHORT CONNECTION TO KLATU AND IS SEEKING HER!!! MEANWHILE, HER GREEDY OLD BOYFRIEND IS ALSO SEARCHING FOR HER TO TURN HER IN FOR CASH.!!!! HELLEN AND HER CLEVER SON MUST CHOOSE. GORT OR MILITARY JAIL FOR LIFE!!!! THE SON BOBBY, HAS AN IDEA.?!😏
Firmly in my top ten movies of all time. Patricia Neal doesn't get enough love for her role in this flick. She (and Sam Jaffe) are the sensible stand in for all humanity when others are freaking out. It's a great role and she plays it so well. And thanks for mentioning the score. Nothing has prompted the sales of Theramins like Herrmann's score for this movie, and the whole effect is brilliantly atmospheric. Young film makers take note; a good story is more important than flashy effects.
Jonathan Harris said that of the multitude of guest stars on "Lost In Space", Michael Rennie was his favorite. (His least favorite was John Carradine.)
One of my all time favorite films. I can recall playing trivial pursuit with my sister about 18 or 20 years ago, and she hesitated in asking me a question, saying: "This is just stupid, nobody would ever know this"! The question was: "What three words did Helen have to say to Gort the giant robot to stop him"? I, of course, immediately replied "Klaatu barada nikto" Great movie!!!
As a 10 year old, I saw this at a cinema within the decade it was made. It had a profound effect on me that I will never forget. Over time I saw it on TV and demanded my parents to let me watch it, even if it was past my bed-time. They found out why I loved this movie.
Saw this as a 12 year old in 1970, and was blown away by it. Has always been one of my all time favorites. I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and am certain this was the movie that put me on that path. Timeless classic.
First saw this at summer camp in the mid-60's. It has aged well and I still love watching it. Surprised though, ,that it was not mentioned that "The Day The Earth Stood Still", is a reference to the moment in the film when Klaatu stopped all electrical and mechanical devices all over the earth, to get the attention of world leaders and to display the power that he had to effect the distruction of the earth if they brought war to other planets. BTW: Why re-make a classic film? No one could have bested Micheal Rennie as Klaatu.
I believe that the remake really sucked because of the changes that they made to the story line! I was beginning to think that AL Gore wrote it at one point and there was no need for the ungrateful brat of a kid in the story! Plus other unnecessary changes that were made to the story line!
The Day the Earth Stood Still had just about the best UFO effects prior to Close Encounters. Other Sci-fi movies of the 50s had absolute crappy UFO effects. And this wasn't a B movie. No. It was a grade A masterpiece
Though not true to the original HG Wells story the Martians trilobed war vehicles were very iconic as were the metal cobra like heatray.. eye stalks. 🇬🇧
Having fought in combat in a useless war, the message of Klaatu resonates powerfully with me. I was 3 years old in 1951 so I only saw this on TV. I wish someone would release it again in theaters. I consider it to be the best movie ever made.
@@farokudahitam And it's terrible. Keanu Reeves and his giant robot start killing everyone instead of coming in peace. The whole message of the original is lost.
This is one of my favourite films, I hated the remake but I love that they quoted this in Evil Dead 3 army of darkness. Klaatu barada nikto that Ash could not remember and got it wrong.
I always loved the doctors discussing how Klaatu had said he was 75 but seemed so young and healthy as they were all smoking, in the hospital! Seriously, this is one of my all time favorite movies because of it's well written story, great acting, and decent effects. It truly did pave the way for movies to come. Think "Starman" in the 50s.
I saw this as a 13 y.o. in junior high in 1959., and it made a lasting impression on me. Our school had a program of showing movies in the auditorium during recess. Each day, they showed the movies in 15 minute segments. They sold movie passes good for 10 segments for 25 cents. This film really caused a lot excitement and some upset among us kids that we’d often bring back to our classrooms after recess. The teachers complained about the behavior, and the next film, Creature from the Black Lagoon, marked the end of recess movies. That film had scared so many kids that they stopped showing it half way through. No more recess movies for us!
I think the set design was amazing for the inside of the space ship. When you think this was made in 1951, over 70 years ago. The minimalist interior and controls that react when you run your hands over them and the seamless opening of the ship and also the design of Gort. A really visionary depiction of an alien and his craft.
I've always loved the old 50s Sci-fi films and this one is in my top 5 along with Invasion of the Body Snatchers, War Of the Worlds, The Quatermass Xperiment and Fiend Without A Face
Fiend without a face scared the shit outta me as a kid, and we live in an area that had woods close by, I didn't want to go there for the longest time, I got over my fears a few years later, only to see the original Night of the living Dead, didn't go in the woods at night afterwards!!😀😃
@@veronicarodriguez9917 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” both films (1956 + 1978) are both good films. I actually watched the 1978 film first and then found out about the 1956 film ( like it too). There have been two other adaptations from those two films: “The Invasion” 2007 which didn’t end the same as those other two, but I really like it (Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are very good in it). The other film is “Body Snatchers’ 1993..... I haven’t seen that film yet, but the critics loved it yet it tanked at the box office (but now has a fan based following).
Michael Renee had that wonderful "otherworldly" persona that served him so well in several other sci-fi roles. He was MAGNIFICENT as "The Keeper" in the memorable two-part episode of the same name in the first (and best) season of "Lost In Space," and also had an eree bit part as an alien in the underrated series, "The Invaders."
Great review of a classic. Two more trivia bits. Sam Jaffe played Dr Zorba in the Ben Casey series. Patricia Neal suffered a devastating stroke. She was instrumental in the use of physical & other therapies to help people recover from effects of strokes.
I saw this on TV probably in the late 50s. I was 1 when the movie was made. Michael Rennie was great in the role of Klaatu. The movie was really the best Sci Fi I can remember ever seeing. It was far from the usual. Alien lands, starts killing people and we have to kill it. This was an intelligent Sci Fi story with meaning and message. I saw Rennie a few years later in something where he played a Cyborg, part machine. That was a good one as well. Left me wanting to see more of Rennie. Everyone was great in "The Day The Earth Stood Still." As much as I like Reeves, that remake Sucked. Great video, really enjoyed it. The trip back in time was informative and fun, Thanks.
I was born in 1955. My parents first let me watch this on TV when I was probably six or seven. Scared the daylights out of me. When Gort was walking towards Patricia Neal, I wanted to rip a hole in the floor and get into the crawlspace. It is amazing how well this film has stood up over the decades. Great video.
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a classic and one of my favorite films of all time! I love Klaatu's message at the end, which I agree is a very important message for humanity, which I wish more world leaders and people in power would take seriously!
Hey Minty, Thank you for a Serious Review of an Absolute Classic, Game Changing Movie. Much Appreciated. There is something just wonderous about this Film. From the Cast and their Performances, to the Trivia behind the Production. A short, simple story that produces such a long lasting effect.
One of my favorite childhood movie. It freaked me out but I couldn't look away. I personally feel it was the greatest Sci Fi movie ever made. It's one I can watch over and over again and never get tired of. It is truly a "Must See" masterpiece.
This is my most favorite sci-fi moving of that genre. The "message" I got regarding the general plot line was that Klaatu came to earth to warn them. There was a line toward the finale that Klaatu had said to the scientific community. He explained what GORT actually was ... a race of robots who patrolled the galaxies to make sure each planet was not aggressive towards another (willingly or unwillingly). Then the next line was something like, we do not concern ourselves with your petty squabbles, but if you extend that beyond your planet, we will reduce the earth to a cinder.
My most favorite sci-fi movie! It fascinated me and I wanted to go on the spaceship....however, "War of the Worlds" scared the begeesis out of me, and for a long time! Thank you for this video........"The Day The Earth Stood Still" is truly a classic!!
2 interesting points to add. #1 Frances Bavier played Mrs. Barley and Aunt Bee Taylor in the The Andy Griffith Show. #2 Sam Jaffe was in Lost Horizon as the High Lama, Gunga Din as Gunga Din, Gentleman's Agreement as Prof. Fred Lieberman and Ben Casey as Dr. David Zorba.
One of my favorite sci-fi films. War of the Worlds creeped me out, though I liked it too, I was more intrigued by this for the message and particularly enjoyed the exchange between Klatuu and the professor, because he was so curiously fascinated to learn, rather than the 'kill it, because we don't understand it and that frightens us' mode most others were in. And yes, that music added nicely to the outer worldly vibe. Thanks for posting.
In the original story Klatuu dies and the man who befriended him pleads with Gort to tell his master’s countrymen not to judge humans on this, that it was an accident. He’s left dumbfounded when Gort replies, “you misunderstand. I am the master.”
You beat me to the it. I figured someone was going to bring this up in the comments. That’s the big reveal, I believe they should of kept in the original film.
I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi, but this is one of my favourite films! I actually really like the pacing of it. I've always admired films that don't feel rushed and take their time to tell their story and build the characters. This is a masterpiece.
The Day The Earth Stood Still was a great movie. I enjoyed the remake as well but once again, the original with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neil was the best. It changed science fiction movies to what we enjoy today, including special features and effects.
I disagree with your interpretation of the end message. Klaatu didn't care how we ran our planet, BUT if we went out into the intergalactic community and acted with violence or aggression, THEN Earth would be wiped out.
Absolutely right with the first film. He missed it totally. The second film was about ecological dislike. An advanced civilization wanted to destroy us because they didn't like what we were doing to our planet. In short ecological terrorism.
@@barksdalehales438 So the second film stole the title of the first, and left it's ideas in the canister? I wonder if that's why the second is so hated. Nawww, I don't wonder.
@@Popeii1 When Klatu was being interviewed by that TV reporter when he was mentioning man's fears how quickly that reporter moved on to the next person , typical in todays news reporters.
Great facts Mark... I loved learning about them. Especially why the spaceman said what he said, and the actors where they all are now and who that Robot was. I think if people actually knew the robot was a person in it and who he was then it wouldn't have stayed as popular as it was. It still made a great point.
Everybody knew back then that there was someone in that costume. They did not have the robotic technology to make a robot that could walk like that, you could especially see in the seams between the legs and hips that it was a person.
the thing minty didn’t know about this movie: the title “earth stood still” refers to when power was cut off across the globe (not when the saucer arrived on earth). 😅
you are right, it was only to prove a point to demonstrate to the world's scientist that there was indeed something to be reckoned with. Having the whole world come to a stand still for an hour was sure to add creditability to Klaatu's claim.
Pretty sure Minty picked up on "the lunch break to remember" scene... He included several clips of inoperable machinery, traffic stopped, and phones out of service at that point in his presentation.
(@12:42) ..."that usual, weird, alien humming music" was electronically generated by an instrument called a Theremin and predates the Moog synthesizer by at least 2 decades. Even though he did not invent it, Bernard Herrmann's vision to incorporate this futuristic sound along with orchestral accompaniment was a master stroke. There is no keyboard on a Theremin as it responds to the natural capacitance of the performers hands to alter radio frequency (RF) oscillations radiating from a pair of antennas, one at each end of the electronics cabinet. It is somewhat difficult to play, but well worth the effort.
There was a Twilight Zone episode with the exact opposite message called "A Small Talent For War". Aliens told humanity to fix it so they signed peace treaties and destroyed all nukes, WMDs etc. only to find out their talent for war was too small, they needed to be more violent, but the aliens wiped them out for being wimpy.
I was 5 or 6, back in the mid fifties, I can't remember exactly. We went every summer to my uncle's house by a man-made lake. NBC aired a new show, Saturday Night at the Movies. The first movie they showed on this new show was The Day The Earth Stood Still. I was blown away, as were my parents and my uncle. Great movie.
Patricia Neal was married to Roald Dahl, her likeness to her granddaughter Sophie is remarkable. She also won an Oscar for ‘Hud’ (1963) with Paul Newman.
If you grew up in the sixties like I did, there are a couple things you missed. Sam Jaffe was famous for playing Dr. Zorba in the TV medical drama “Ben Casey”. One actor you failed to mention was Frances Bavier. She was one of the tenants at the rooming house. She created the iconic character of Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show. During the early 60s, TDTESS was shown several times in prime time on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies. It certainly blew our minds as grade school kids back then.
If you've never seen "Asphalt Jungle" from 1950, give it a look. Sam Jaffe plays an elderly felon recently released from prison who assembles a small squad of career criminals to pull off a big time theft that he's been planning behind the walls and then will allow him to retire to the Mexican riviera and chase women. He's so endearing in his foxy little old man role that the audience is pulling for him all they way through.
klaatu is actually jesus...he comes down with a message of peace, is betrayed and murdered and resurrected ...his female friend is mary, her boyfriend is judas, and gort is the golem. there are several things rennie says that indicate he is actually a human from earth. and yes, it's true.
@@user-oz5xb9ed3w We're both right. Matthew 13 states it, but the better word would become "builder", so he would have been trained in woodwork and masonry. Traditionally translated by most as "carpenter" so that's why it's in the movie. Most christians would have gotten the reference better than "mason"
When the robot recovers Klattu's body, it dissolves the exterior wall of the jail cell which reminds the viewer of the stone rolled away from Jesus's tomb. Best image of the movie for me.
I've always been amazed at the ship and it's telescoping ramp scenes, and after retiring from over twenty years as a movie set carpenter, I'm REALLY amazed they did that in the early '50s!
I'm usually impressed by the research in these entries, but I have an issue with one statement made in this clip. That eerie wailing sound in this film was not invented by the composer. It was invented in 1919 by a Russian physicist named Lev Sergeyevich Termen, whose Westernized name was "Leon Theremin" -- thus the instrument was (and still is) called the Theremin. The inventor moved to the US and patented it in 1928, long before "The Day The Earth Stood Still." That sound has been used in countless movies (and even in the Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations"). But Bernard Herrmann had nothing to do with its invention/development.
@@rascallyrabbit717 That's no Theremin, that's coloratura soprano, Loulie Jean Norman. No Theremin's were ever used in Star Trek. Bing Crosby once introduced her as the Lorelei from Birmingham, Alabama.
You preceded me. I was about to say that. The Theremin was indeed the old sound of mystery, horror and sci-fi. Regardless, Hermann was very, very good.
@@DarkSideofSynth And of course it was used to great effect in the movie "Ed Wood" (although I don't recall if it was actually used in "Plan 9 from Outer Space").
Another Fact that should be mentioned, Minty, is that, along with Claude Raines, Micheal Rennie was mentioned amongst a list of actors from the movies of this era in the song "Science Fiction Double Feature" from the soundtrack of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", specifically in the Opening line, " Michael Rennie Was Ill The Day The Earth Stood Still", which Michael Rennie was indeed under the weather when he'd filmed his scenes in this movie
Minty you forgot the number one thing about the Day The Earth Stood Still :-( Three Return of the Jedi characters in Jabba's palace and sail barge were named Klattu, Barada and Nikto. I still have all my Star Wars figures from when I was a little boy.
They also used these words in "The Medieval Dead" movie when Ash has to remove the book of the dead from the cradle and he forgets the word nikto awaking the dead
Loved this video. TDTESS is my all time favorite movie. I have to say though for your list of famous robots, you forgot Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet.
An excellent job Minty and very apt for the current times. You should do a few more videos on older films like this. I'm surprised you missed out that Patricia Neal later married the author Roald Dahl. And sadly Michael Rennie diied very suddenly whilst attending his brothers funeral. Very tragic. My late father wasn't a big fan of science fiction films but he got me to watch this when I was a kid in the early 1980s as he himself had seen it when he was a teenager on its release and he had really liked it . Since then I have seen Sam Jaffe in loads of movies, from Lost Horizon made in the late 1930s to Battle beyond the Stars in 1980, a film notable for its visual effects being done by w certain James Cameron. I also agree with you that the remake isn't terrible but it lacks the bite of the original. Michael Rennie was pretty much unknown in Hollywood at the time so maybe that freshness worked to the advantage of the original. Personally I think the late Alan Riickman would have been more suited to the role than Reeves but that's just my opinion.
Minty says that Keanu's performance was dull and robotic, and he doesn't understand why. Everything Reeves did between Matrix Revolutions and John Wick was that level of garbage. The biggest problem was that in the original, despite fears, Klaatu is here on a mission of peace. In the remake, Klaatu is absolutely here to destroy the human race. Oh and instead of casting a real giant, Gort is just crappy CGI (and an acronym)
I understand that Stephen King was watching the movie in a theater when suddenly it was paused, the lights went up and the manager made an announcement that the Soviet Union had launched a man made Satellite they called Sputnik into orbit.
I am surprised that Minty failed to mention the real reason Gort was not shown picking up Patricia Neal - it was because the actor in the Gort suit had great difficult moving when wearing the suit and the comment was made that in endeavouring to pick up Patricia Neal there was a chance he could injure her. It was for this reason that the directors and producers decided to film Gort going behind the screen and then emerge with Neal in its arms. Further, the title of the movie stems from the scene where Klaatu demonstrates to the professor (played by Sam Jaffe) the power of their technology and hence the title of the film - this was NEVER an occurrence in the update and diminished the update's standing. Also, Sam Jaffe actually became better known as Ben Casey's mentor, so to speak, in the TV series Ben Casey (although Jaffe was well known before that). Finally, unlike many I am an admirer of Keanu Reeves and enjoyed his performance in this remake (although the remake was a sad reflection on the original) - remember that he was supposed to portray an alien in a human body, perhaps a revisit to Jeff Bridges in Starman would be worthwhile here.
One of the best & important movies ever regardless of genre. One of the films that I truly enjoy that inspired & aspired me to have a passion for sci-fi/ space / horror films. A classic obviously. The remake is slightly watchable but misses point somewhat…rather dry & by the book. The 50s atomic age & 80s were the golden age of sci-fi .
I like that you did an older classical movie. Please do more of them!! In your list of cinematic robots you didn’t mention Robby the Robot, which was really big back in the day. Which leads into a good movie to do next, “Forbidden Planet”. You also might consider “Ben Hur” , “The Ten Commandments”, “The Guns of Navarone”, & “The Dirty Dozen”.
Still in 2022 the greatest sci fi movie ever made, nothing modern can even compare as far as the message and mystic of the alien visit. Just so well done without cgi and big explosions.
I strongly disagree with you on Keannu as Klatuu, is lack of emotion was intentional, as his character was meant to be a partly synthetic partly humanoid construct based on a mountain climber that the prime orb absorbed he didn't understand human emotion and only gradually learns what it is, and how to better understand emotions like love and kindness, to develop a kind of "connection" with the woman scientist and her child, IMO and the CGI looked excellent for the time it was made, it was etherial and almost supernatural looking on purpose to show how way beyond advanced the technology of the sphere and it's nanites and Gort was... I think your being a little too hard on the CGI and Keanu's intended portrayal of Klaatu
What really irritated me about the remake was the fact that the supposedly morally and technically superior alien races were prepared to commit massive genocide of over seven billion humans. At the end the Earth stood still because all technology on the planet was rendered inoperable, ensuring mass starvation of billions. To me the ending of the remake was an environmentalist wacko wet dream
It's been one of my two favorite films since I first saw it so many years ago...great script, wonderful cast. And the message has only grown stronger and more poignant with each passing year. I sat through about 20 min. of the sequel, then had to bail...all it did was remind me that the original is untouchable.
It was a mortal sin to attempt a sequel on this masterpiece. We didn't pay to see the sequel, so we endured till the end. The second Ben Hur was in the same category.
Stumbled upon this post, liked it so much, especially because this movie is in my top five favorite SF movies of all time, I subscribed with notification. Cheers.
This epic movie, and "The Forbidden Planet" are my science fiction favorites. "The Day....." is a milestone of the genre. BUT, one point has always bugged me about this movie. When Klaatu is convalescing in the hospital, after a trigger-happy GI shot him, he asks to see the President. However, Klaatu is told that the President is much to busy, as a low-level bureaucrat is sent to ask why he is here! Are you kidding me?? Every Pol in Washington would be climbing all over each other to get a photo-op with Klaatu and Gort!
Very nice job here on this movie. The big six science fiction movies for me from the 50s: Godzilla, Day Earth Stood Still, The Thing, Forbidden Planet, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and War of the Worlds. Just great movies that, as has been said in this thread, have stood the test of time.
most people forget Klaatu's story at the end, he said they used to have violence and wars, until they built Gorts, the A.i. became so powerful that they went rouge and started killing everyone, so they dared not to have any kind of violence or any thing that could be construed as a weapon, so no lightsabers or kitchen knives, for fear that they would be incinerated by Gort who had no off switch or moral compunction
wtf are you talking about. Klatuu never said the Gort race went nuts and killed everyone. I hope you're kidding,,,if not, you need to go watch the movie right Now!
It was a favorite for me as a child and It made an impression. So much that it was one of those movies that I never forgotten. I later watched a lot of Lost in Space and then went on to become a real Star Trek fan but the one movie that started it for me was The Day The Earth Stood Still. These things were inspirational in my future success and now retired from the I.T. field.
Wow! I thought you covered this film long ago. On the Director Commentary for, "Star Trek: THe Motion Picture," Robert Wise discusses, "Day The Earth Stood Still" in great detail to Nicholas Meyer. I first saw this film on television when I was about eight. Not only did I love Gort (in fact, I have an animated Busy cursor that is of Gort for my desktop), I could tell that it was a tale of the Christ, told through a science fiction format. Wise, on the commentary mentioned above, said he was unaware of it while filming and would never had made it had he known. The symbolism was so obvious to an eight year old but he could not see it? In the 1990's, I lived in Washington, DC, and watched the movie again with my friends. I think this is one of the best movies made and still stand up decades later. The remake is not worth watching and I regret that I did (despite John Cleese being in it).
I was waiting for him to say something about it possibly had been modeled after Jesus Christ. I see they're showing the newer one on COMET, but I didn't watch it after seeing that others said it was horrible.
I also watched it way back when, like you. Though I didn’t care for the newer version until I watched it a second time (since then, I’ve watched it several more times and like it more each extra time that I view it).
@@julienielsen3746 I like the new one. Reeves' natural mechanical acting made him absolutely perfect for the role and the CG was good for its time. In many ways, it feels like a low-key cousin of the Matrix because of that. Like most movies, you'll probably know if you think it's horrible in the first 30 minutes. Give it a shot.
Since you've made mention to it, I think that the original Star Trek film, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. I can't tell you how many times I've watched it!! S.T The Motion Picture and Star Trek: First Contact are my favourite Star Trek movies....
One of the greatest films ever made! IIRC GORT/GNUT was actually the one in charge, not Klaatu. I think the excellent supporting cast deserves mention. The film was also a comment on the Red Scare tearing at the nation at that time. I thought the re-make could have been great, Keanu was perfect casting IMHO, but the radical change to GORT (esp making his name a earthbound army's moniker) & the ship was unfortunate as was the overbearing ecological message, they were here to save the planet from us, not save us.
I saw this movie when i was very young, and i loved it, i also like the remake, hey, any movie featuring Jennifer Connelly is a good one. You should make a video about a very good movie that i like a lot, Quatermass and the pitt. I have the blue ray of it, and it's the only movie that deserve a remake in my opinion.
I LOVE this movie, & I have no interest in watching the remake. Minty, you surprised me here. I wasn't expecting you to cover this one. I hope you do cover more classic films, in the near future. I've got a LONG list of ones I'd love to see 10 things episodes, on.
Definitely a favorite…(and yes, the remake fell very flat). Thank goodness for this film. Without it, our sci-fi might still be stuck in the “giant mutated creature” trope that was the go-to in the 50s.
Hey Minty, did we ever find out specifically why the military didn’t like the script? The next one you should review is “war of the world” (unless you already did that review and I missed it.) I agree Keanu is a class act.
Is that question about the military a serious one? Assuming it was not just a joke, did you ever watch the movie? It makes the military look like a bunch of trigger-happy fools who like nothing better than to go around shooting people down. The movie's theme was also pretty pacifistic and largely (though not entirely) anti-military. So yeah there's no mystery to it at all. It is poretty self-explanatory.
If I had to guess it probably had to do with the movie portraying the American military, which had just won WW2 and was the most powerful the world had ever seen, as being completely useless and at the mercy of invading aliens.
I saw this in 1956 when I was six years old. When Gort's visor opened it had a dramatic effect on my imagination which continues to this day. I was just awestruck.
Considering that this was filmed in 1951, I find it lovely that there were people of different ethnicities in the crowds.
Might give you the idea that a pretty big supply of contemporary activists have a weak handle on history as it really was.
Well, let's face it - both times it was produced, The Day The Earth Stood Still was clearly created as a message from people who thought of themselves as "more enlightened" to "the rest of us." The first time it was about the nuclear threat, and the second time about the environmental threat. People who think like that are usually the ones who also have a stronger notion in their minds of "all of us getting along," yeah? I have no doubt what you noted was perfectly deliberate.
All these decades, and it's still one of the best sci-fi films ever made.
I agree. And still watch it from time to time. For me anyway the original version was far better than the remake. Another favorite is *War of the Worlds* again I like the original one. :)
What about the remake
Try 7 decades. Made in 1951
this and the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers
@@podakayne I agree 👍
I watched this as a kid and was always blown away by how well made and prescient it was. It was the first 'old' film that made me realise age doesn't matter when the writing is on point.
All the earliest sci-fi films had a lot more to offer than later entries in the genre
Exactly! I felt the same way the first time I watched 'Metropolis'. =) (although I think the anime of the same name isn't bad either.) =)
@@Viking_Luchador it's all "explosions" now.
Baysplosions
@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 crap low intelligence and white hating, i saw three movies were all the blondes was bad ones and darker one the hero's. ya right i can tell you want ones if you want to know
The Day The Earth Stood Still is my favorite movie of all time, of any genre. The message Klaatu brings isn’t to stop fighting. He even says the other planets aren’t concerned with Earth’s petty squabbles and no rights were to be given up, except the right to bring war off of Earth. In that event the Earth would be “reduced to a burned out cinder”. And Minty, you’re correct; sadly we haven’t learned.
This is my favorite movie, too. I never get tired of watching it.
Maybe an E.M.P. would be what it takes to bring the earth to a stand still...
@notfiveo I red that the Gort suit was empty during the speech Klatu was giving due to the long hours that sequence was filmed.
Jay, I feel the same way. Peace Through Fear seems so controversial, yet sometimes I think is still necessary. I grew up during the Cold War, and so many nations were afraid to start any conflicts that could ruffle the feathers of the USA and USSR. Dictator nations use this method all the time. And even many religions have enforced goodness using the threat of Hell. In Marvel Comics, Dr Doom enforces peace and productivity on humanity "whether it likes it or not". And as a US Veteran, I assure that even the US Government is not "100% good-guy"! While I believe in more positive methods in the 21st century, I also know that some people just won't learn their lessons until they are at "the end of the line". So Yes, it is a tough question. Humanity wants to ensure freedom, productivity, and peace. But how will you be certain that humanity will behave? As Klatuu said, "We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you."
I thought about that "reduced to a cinder" part felt more like "we're so much more powerful that you'll lose badly if you declare war and we'd rather destroy your planet than assume you'll eventually change."
Klaatu and GORT need to make an emergency appearance now.
Naw. Putin will crush the Nazis.
Yeah,they could say to Donald Trump " You're time is up "!!!!!!
@@JeffreyWLaRueyou know Trump derangement syndrome is curable, don't you? He is currently living in your mind rent free!
HI W, YES, BUT GORT WILL BE ALONE IN HIS SHIP LOOKING FOR HELLEN. AFTER LOSING KLATU TO HIS INJURY, G. RAMPGES AROUND EARTH TO REPLACE HIS HUMAN PARTNER!!! HE REMEMBERS THE ASSISTANCE SHE GAVE KLATU AND HAS CHOSEN HER TO TRUST. ONLY HIS NATURE OF SELF DEFENSE HAS CAUSED HIM TO SEEK FOR HER IN A FRIGHTNING MANNER. EARTH MILITARY REMEMBERS HER SHORT CONNECTION TO KLATU AND IS SEEKING HER!!! MEANWHILE, HER GREEDY OLD BOYFRIEND IS ALSO SEARCHING FOR HER TO TURN HER IN FOR CASH.!!!! HELLEN AND HER CLEVER SON MUST CHOOSE. GORT OR MILITARY JAIL FOR LIFE!!!! THE SON BOBBY, HAS AN IDEA.?!😏
Firmly in my top ten movies of all time. Patricia Neal doesn't get enough love for her role in this flick. She (and Sam Jaffe) are the sensible stand in for all humanity when others are freaking out. It's a great role and she plays it so well. And thanks for mentioning the score. Nothing has prompted the sales of Theramins like Herrmann's score for this movie, and the whole effect is brilliantly atmospheric. Young film makers take note; a good story is more important than flashy effects.
I love this movie. The haunting theme, GORT the Robot, and Michael Rennie were great. Mr. Rennie was also good on an episode of Lost in Space.
"the keeper" also known as "the collector"...I always remember the giant goofy spider.
The keeper.
Jonathan Harris said that of the multitude of guest stars on "Lost In Space", Michael Rennie was his favorite. (His least favorite was John Carradine.)
Dr.Samnombula on Batman.
Michael Rennie also guest starred in an episode of "The Invaders" which was one of the better episodes. His classic style commanded your attention.
One of my all time favorite films. I can recall playing trivial pursuit with my sister about 18 or 20 years ago, and she hesitated in asking me a question, saying: "This is just stupid, nobody would ever know this"! The question was: "What three words did Helen have to say to Gort the giant robot to stop him"? I, of course, immediately replied "Klaatu barada nikto" Great movie!!!
I still remember the words, Klaatu Barada NIkto. and I am 84.
Awesome!
Is it just me or do we REALLY need Gort and Klaatu to make an appearance right about now???
I couldn't agree with you more.
I've been thinking this my entire life, and I'm almost as old as the movie is.
I hope Klaatu and Gort return in time so we won't have to tell Gort "Selenskyj barada nikto".
I could use it now.
I would tell Gort... Make Putin Pudding. : )
As a 10 year old, I saw this at a cinema within the decade it was made. It had a profound effect on me that I will never forget. Over time I saw it on TV and demanded my parents to let me watch it, even if it was past my bed-time. They found out why I loved this movie.
Saw this as a 12 year old in 1970, and was blown away by it. Has always been one of my all time favorites. I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and am certain this was the movie that put me on that path. Timeless classic.
First saw this at summer camp in the mid-60's. It has aged well and I still love watching it. Surprised though, ,that it was not mentioned that "The Day The Earth Stood Still", is a reference to the moment in the film when Klaatu stopped all electrical and mechanical devices all over the earth, to get the attention of world leaders and to display the power that he had to effect the distruction of the earth if they brought war to other planets. BTW: Why re-make a classic film? No one could have bested Micheal Rennie as Klaatu.
Have you seen the remake? It's good
I believe that the remake really sucked
because of the changes that they made to the story line!
I was beginning to think that AL Gore wrote it at one point and there was no need for the ungrateful brat of a kid in the story!
Plus other unnecessary changes that were made to the story line!
The Day the Earth Stood Still had just about the best UFO effects prior to Close Encounters. Other Sci-fi movies of the 50s had absolute crappy UFO effects. And this wasn't a B movie. No. It was a grade A masterpiece
And the touchless controls inside the saucer were extremely well done and have stood the test of time.
Another great SI FI movie is Earth Vs the flying saucers
Forbidden Planet (featuring Robbie the robot) is another very powerful 50's Sci-Fi movie with great special effects and plot-line.
Though not true to the original HG Wells story the Martians trilobed war vehicles were very iconic as were the metal cobra like heatray.. eye stalks. 🇬🇧
Forbidden Planet was at that level too.
Having fought in combat in a useless war, the message of Klaatu resonates powerfully with me. I was 3 years old in 1951 so I only saw this on TV. I wish someone would release it again in theaters. I consider it to be the best movie ever made.
All wars are useless. I suffered in the firerooms of Navy ships I think what you say comes from your heart. It is the greatest movie ever made
They did a remake
@@farokudahitam And it's terrible. Keanu Reeves and his giant robot start killing everyone instead of coming in peace. The whole message of the original is lost.
@@farokudahitam ... Almost as if you didn't watch this video.
@@farokudahitam Yes and it was awful!
This is one of my favourite films, I hated the remake but I love that they quoted this in Evil Dead 3 army of darkness. Klaatu barada nikto that Ash could not remember and got it wrong.
Yes, I thought Minty might mention this in his top ten.
Klaatu Versace Necktie..?!
I always thought the remake should have been a sequel after the human race ignored the warning and this could have been when he returned
Jabba the Hutt had some goons named after Gort's password, too.
That was funny.
I always loved the doctors discussing how Klaatu had said he was 75 but seemed so young and healthy as they were all smoking, in the hospital! Seriously, this is one of my all time favorite movies because of it's well written story, great acting, and decent effects. It truly did pave the way for movies to come. Think "Starman" in the 50s.
I saw this as a 13 y.o. in junior high in 1959., and it made a lasting impression on me. Our school had a program of showing movies in the auditorium during recess. Each day, they showed the movies in 15 minute segments. They sold movie passes good for 10 segments for 25 cents. This film really caused a lot excitement and some upset among us kids that we’d often bring back to our classrooms after recess. The teachers complained about the behavior, and the next film, Creature from the Black Lagoon, marked the end of recess movies. That film had scared so many kids that they stopped showing it half way through. No more recess movies for us!
I think the set design was amazing for the inside of the space ship. When you think this was made in 1951, over 70 years ago. The minimalist interior and controls that react when you run your hands over them and the seamless opening of the ship and also the design of Gort. A really visionary depiction of an alien and his craft.
and the simplicity probably made it cheaper
A lot of technology and science were things on the Jetsons and "The day the earth stood still" that the kids watching "then" actually made happen.
I've always loved the old 50s Sci-fi films and this one is in my top 5 along with
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, War Of the Worlds, The Quatermass Xperiment and Fiend Without A Face
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is sucha great movie! I don't remember watching the last two you mantioned, but I'll surely check them out!
Fiend without a face scared the shit outta me as a kid, and we live in an area that had woods close by, I didn't want to go there for the longest time, I got over my fears a few years later, only to see the original Night of the living Dead, didn't go in the woods at night afterwards!!😀😃
@@veronicarodriguez9917 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” both films (1956 + 1978) are both good films. I actually watched the 1978 film first and then found out about the 1956 film ( like it too). There have been two other adaptations from those two films: “The Invasion” 2007 which didn’t end the same as those other two, but I really like it (Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are very good in it). The other film is “Body Snatchers’ 1993..... I haven’t seen that film yet, but the critics loved it yet it tanked at the box office (but now has a fan based following).
Me too then they started making stupid sci Fi movies.
No Forbidden Planet?
Michael Renee had that wonderful "otherworldly" persona that served him so well in several other sci-fi roles. He was MAGNIFICENT as "The Keeper" in the memorable two-part episode of the same name in the first (and best) season of "Lost In Space," and also had an eree bit part as an alien in the underrated series, "The Invaders."
Your admiration would be enhanced if you would be able to spell the actors name correctly…
@@stefanpaege2046 You forgot the apostrophe in 'actors'...
He appeared in the only 2 part Invaders after appearing in a previous one.
The Invaders is one of my all-time favorite TV series.
Great review of a classic. Two more trivia bits. Sam Jaffe played Dr Zorba in the Ben Casey series. Patricia Neal suffered a devastating stroke. She was instrumental in the use of physical & other therapies to help people recover from effects of strokes.
With her husband's help.
Jaffe also played the title role in the 1939 classic, “Gunga Din”, opposite Cary Grant.
@@13thwho Cool, I didn't know that. Thank you!👍🙂✌️💙
Patricia Neal will always be remembered by me for her role as the nurse in John Wayne's "In Harm's Way".
@@richardcline1337 she was also first cast as the mother in the Waltons but replaced because of her stroke.
I saw this on TV probably in the late 50s. I was 1 when the movie was made. Michael Rennie was great in the role of Klaatu. The movie was really the best Sci Fi I can remember ever seeing. It was far from the usual. Alien lands, starts killing people and we have to kill it. This was an intelligent Sci Fi story with meaning and message. I saw Rennie a few years later in something where he played a Cyborg, part machine. That was a good one as well. Left me wanting to see more of Rennie. Everyone was great in "The Day The Earth Stood Still." As much as I like Reeves, that remake Sucked. Great video, really enjoyed it. The trip back in time was informative and fun, Thanks.
I was born in 1955. My parents first let me watch this on TV when I was probably six or seven. Scared the daylights out of me. When Gort was walking towards Patricia Neal, I wanted to rip a hole in the floor and get into the crawlspace. It is amazing how well this film has stood up over the decades. Great video.
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a classic and one of my favorite films of all time! I love Klaatu's message at the end, which I agree is a very important message for humanity, which I wish more world leaders and people in power would take seriously!
Hey Minty, Thank you for a Serious Review of an Absolute Classic, Game Changing Movie. Much Appreciated. There is something just wonderous about this Film. From the Cast and their Performances, to the Trivia behind the Production. A short, simple story that produces such a long lasting effect.
One of my favorite childhood movie. It freaked me out but I couldn't look away. I personally feel it was the greatest Sci Fi movie ever made. It's one I can watch over and over again and never get tired of. It is truly a "Must See" masterpiece.
Totally agree.
The remake was AWFUL! Totally crapped on the original concepts.
This is my most favorite sci-fi moving of that genre. The "message" I got regarding the general plot line was that Klaatu came to earth to warn them. There was a line toward the finale that Klaatu had said to the scientific community. He explained what GORT actually was ... a race of robots who patrolled the galaxies to make sure each planet was not aggressive towards another (willingly or unwillingly). Then the next line was something like, we do not concern ourselves with your petty squabbles, but if you extend that beyond your planet, we will reduce the earth to a cinder.
Yes and I can guess how. Causing a hydrogen-oxygen fusion reaction would do it.
My most favorite sci-fi movie! It fascinated me and I wanted to go on the spaceship....however, "War of the Worlds" scared the begeesis out of me, and for a long time! Thank you for this video........"The Day The Earth Stood Still" is truly a classic!!
2 interesting points to add.
#1 Frances Bavier played Mrs. Barley and Aunt Bee Taylor in the The Andy Griffith Show.
#2 Sam Jaffe was in Lost Horizon as the High Lama, Gunga Din as Gunga Din, Gentleman's Agreement as Prof. Fred Lieberman and Ben Casey as Dr. David Zorba.
And the kid played in father knows best.
One of my favorite sci-fi films. War of the Worlds creeped me out, though I liked it too, I was more intrigued by this for the message and particularly enjoyed the exchange between Klatuu and the professor, because he was so curiously fascinated to learn, rather than the 'kill it, because we don't understand it and that frightens us' mode most others were in. And yes, that music added nicely to the outer worldly vibe. Thanks for posting.
the lid of martian spaceship unwinding ...
@@jyvben1520
… suddenly, the lid fell off! Two luminous disc-like eyes appeared above the rim.
@@enkisdaughter4795 googly eyes ? maybe triangle shaped
@@jyvben1520 not in the original novel. they had 2 large eyes and a body that is a head and bunches of tentacles for appendages.
In the original story Klatuu dies and the man who befriended him pleads with Gort to tell his master’s countrymen not to judge humans on this, that it was an accident. He’s left dumbfounded when Gort replies, “you misunderstand. I am the master.”
That would've been a good thing to bring up in this video.
You beat me to the it. I figured someone was going to bring this up in the comments. That’s the big reveal, I believe they should of kept in the original film.
Wow, I never knew that - gives me chills, actually.😑
AI rules the universe . Very timely. I hope they come soon.
COULDN'T YOU HAVE SAID: "You really REALLY ought to read the original story"*???!!!!
F... OFF!!!!
* As, I have not done that.
This was one of my favorite movies. I grew up in the 50s and it was so apt.
One of my all time favorite sci-fi films!
I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi, but this is one of my favourite films! I actually really like the pacing of it. I've always admired films that don't feel rushed and take their time to tell their story and build the characters. This is a masterpiece.
One of the all-time classics.
The Day The Earth Stood Still was a great movie. I enjoyed the remake as well but once again, the original with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neil was the best. It changed science fiction movies to what we enjoy today, including special features and effects.
I disagree with your interpretation of the end message. Klaatu didn't care how we ran our planet, BUT if we went out into the intergalactic community and acted with violence or aggression, THEN Earth would be wiped out.
Thank you. That was the message. Of course you'd have to solve the problem of violence on Earth first...
Absolutely right with the first film. He missed it totally. The second film was about ecological dislike. An advanced civilization wanted to destroy us because they didn't like what we were doing to our planet. In short ecological terrorism.
@@barksdalehales438 So the second film stole the title of the first, and left it's ideas in the canister? I wonder if that's why the second is so hated. Nawww, I don't wonder.
@@Popeii1 When Klatu was being interviewed by that TV reporter when he was mentioning man's fears how quickly that reporter moved on to the next person , typical in todays news reporters.
@@parrot0051 True. Remember they are motivated by profit. They need drama and conflict to sell. Nuance can be inconvenient and dull.
Great facts Mark... I loved learning about them. Especially why the spaceman said what he said, and the actors where they all are now and who that Robot was. I think if people actually knew the robot was a person in it and who he was then it wouldn't have stayed as popular as it was. It still made a great point.
Everybody knew back then that there was someone in that costume. They did not have the robotic technology to make a robot that could walk like that, you could especially see in the seams between the legs and hips that it was a person.
the thing minty didn’t know about this movie: the title “earth stood still” refers to when power was cut off across the globe (not when the saucer arrived on earth). 😅
you are right, it was only to prove a point to demonstrate to the world's scientist that there was indeed something to be reckoned with. Having the whole world come to a stand still for an hour was sure to add creditability to Klaatu's claim.
Of course, Klaatu was considerate enough to keep hospitals running and all airborne craft still flying
Pretty sure Minty picked up on "the lunch break to remember" scene... He included several clips of inoperable machinery, traffic stopped, and phones out of service at that point in his presentation.
Duh… really? Gee, I didn’t know that. Thanks for explaining it.
And the power cut is a reference to the story in the Old Testament book of Joshua where he commanded the Sun to stand still in the sky.
(@12:42) ..."that usual, weird, alien humming music" was electronically generated by an instrument called a Theremin and predates the Moog synthesizer by at least 2 decades. Even though he did not invent it, Bernard Herrmann's vision to incorporate this futuristic sound along with orchestral accompaniment was a master stroke. There is no keyboard on a Theremin as it responds to the natural capacitance of the performers hands to alter radio frequency (RF) oscillations radiating from a pair of antennas, one at each end of the electronics cabinet. It is somewhat difficult to play, but well worth the effort.
There was a Twilight Zone episode with the exact opposite message called "A Small Talent For War". Aliens told humanity to fix it so they signed peace treaties and destroyed all nukes, WMDs etc. only to find out their talent for war was too small, they needed to be more violent, but the aliens wiped them out for being wimpy.
...two days ago, I watched this episode the first time... it is from the 1985 Twilight Zone Series...
@@tomturelur9191 Was gonna say, I don't remember that one from the 60's series.
@@donnywilliams9494 "IT'S A COOKBOOK!"👽
Didn't it also have RIchard Kiel (Jaws from *The Spy Who Loved Me)* as the alien emmisary?
@@TheRealNormanBates Nope... it was John Glover.
I was 5 or 6, back in the mid fifties, I can't remember exactly. We went every summer to my uncle's house by a man-made lake. NBC aired a new show, Saturday Night at the Movies. The first movie they showed on this new show was The Day The Earth Stood Still. I was blown away, as were my parents and my uncle. Great movie.
Patricia Neal was married to Roald Dahl, her likeness to her granddaughter Sophie is remarkable.
She also won an Oscar for ‘Hud’ (1963) with Paul Newman.
Patricia Neal was a doll.
Patricia Neal will always be remembered by me for her role as the nurse in John Wayne's "In Harm's Way".
One of the all-time great SF flicks and one I enjoy re-watching again and again.
As usual Minty, you fully entertained me. Love your show brother, keep them coming and thank you for entertaining me so much.
If you grew up in the sixties like I did, there are a couple things you missed. Sam Jaffe was famous for playing Dr. Zorba in the TV medical drama “Ben Casey”. One actor you failed to mention was Frances Bavier. She was one of the tenants at the rooming house. She created the iconic character of Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show. During the early 60s, TDTESS was shown several times in prime time on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies. It certainly blew our minds as grade school kids back then.
If you've never seen "Asphalt Jungle" from 1950, give it a look. Sam Jaffe plays an elderly felon recently released from prison who assembles a small squad of career criminals to pull off a big time theft that he's been planning behind the walls and then will allow him to retire to the Mexican riviera and chase women. He's so endearing in his foxy little old man role that the audience is pulling for him all they way through.
Sam Jaffe appeared in two of my favorite old movies: Gunga Din, and Lost Horizons.
What I love about this movie is the unit that shoots at the alien is 3rd ACR. I served in that unit in 2005 when I was in Iraq.
Wow that’s awesome and thank you for your service
@@elijeremiah1058 thank you
My favorite movie of all time. I love this movie and watch it every time it’s shows. Great movie!
klaatu is actually jesus...he comes down with a message of peace, is betrayed and murdered and resurrected ...his female friend is mary, her boyfriend is judas, and gort is the golem. there are several things rennie says that indicate he is actually a human from earth. and yes, it's true.
And when he chooses a human name, he chooses the name Mr. Carpenter. Jesus, of course, was a carpenter.
In the movie, His briefcase has the name: J.C. Carpenter. As in Jesus Christ, Carpenter.
he wasn’t a carpenter. he was a stone mason or something.
@@user-oz5xb9ed3w We're both right. Matthew 13 states it, but the better word would become "builder", so he would have been trained in woodwork and masonry. Traditionally translated by most as "carpenter" so that's why it's in the movie. Most christians would have gotten the reference better than "mason"
When the robot recovers
Klattu's body, it dissolves the exterior
wall of the jail cell which reminds the viewer
of the stone rolled away from Jesus's tomb.
Best image of the movie for me.
I've always been amazed at the ship and it's telescoping ramp scenes, and after retiring from over twenty years as a movie set carpenter, I'm REALLY amazed they did that in the early '50s!
I'm usually impressed by the research in these entries, but I have an issue with one statement made in this clip. That eerie wailing sound in this film was not invented by the composer. It was invented in 1919 by a Russian physicist named Lev Sergeyevich Termen, whose Westernized name was "Leon Theremin" -- thus the instrument was (and still is) called the Theremin. The inventor moved to the US and patented it in 1928, long before "The Day The Earth Stood Still." That sound has been used in countless movies (and even in the Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations"). But Bernard Herrmann had nothing to do with its invention/development.
The opening theme for Star Trek
@@rascallyrabbit717 That's no Theremin, that's coloratura soprano, Loulie Jean Norman. No Theremin's were ever used in Star Trek. Bing Crosby once introduced her as the Lorelei from Birmingham, Alabama.
You preceded me. I was about to say that. The Theremin was indeed the old sound of mystery, horror and sci-fi. Regardless, Hermann was very, very good.
@@DarkSideofSynth And of course it was used to great effect in the movie "Ed Wood" (although I don't recall if it was actually used in "Plan 9 from Outer Space").
@@wtf1185 I didn't know that about the "Star Trek" theme -- amazing. She was channeling her inner Theremin, I guess.
I watched this about a week ago. Never tire of it. The remake was pretty much just a throw away 2 hours.
Another Fact that should be mentioned, Minty, is that, along with Claude Raines, Micheal Rennie was mentioned amongst a list of actors from the movies of this era in the song "Science Fiction Double Feature" from the soundtrack of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", specifically in the Opening line, " Michael Rennie Was Ill The Day The Earth Stood Still", which Michael Rennie was indeed under the weather when he'd filmed his scenes in this movie
jet lag, 250 milion miles, did he get points ...
This musical score is just the best.!!! Gosh I love this movie.
Minty you forgot the number one thing about the Day The Earth Stood Still :-( Three Return of the Jedi characters in Jabba's palace and sail barge were named Klattu, Barada and Nikto. I still have all my Star Wars figures from when I was a little boy.
I was about to post the same thing. I am glad you brought it up ;)
They also used these words in "The Medieval Dead" movie when Ash has to remove the book of the dead from the cradle and he forgets the word nikto awaking the dead
Same here! Kuddos 👍
Star wars sucks it did a 1977 when my friend drug me to see the original and it still does. It's just a soap opera and soap operas suck
Troll
I've always liked this film, but I like it more now as an adult. It's definitely a classic, and one of my top 10 favorite sci-fi movies of all time
Because now as an adult this film is more relevant to the times
Another fantastic job, Minty. This movie resonates with me as I am older and remember the cold war. Thank you, sir, for this trip down memory lane.
Loved this video. TDTESS is my all time favorite movie. I have to say though for your list of famous robots, you forgot Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet.
Thank You Minty...yes this story is very timely. God (or Aliens) save us all !
That’s one of the best movies for sci-fi, and that generation 👍🙏
An excellent job Minty and very apt for the current times. You should do a few more videos on older films like this.
I'm surprised you missed out that Patricia Neal later married the author Roald Dahl. And sadly Michael Rennie diied very suddenly whilst attending his brothers funeral. Very tragic.
My late father wasn't a big fan of science fiction films but he got me to watch this when I was a kid in the early 1980s as he himself had seen it when he was a teenager on its release and he had really liked it . Since then I have seen Sam Jaffe in loads of movies, from Lost Horizon made in the late 1930s to Battle beyond the Stars in 1980, a film notable for its visual effects being done by w certain James Cameron. I also agree with you that the remake isn't terrible but it lacks the bite of the original. Michael Rennie was pretty much unknown in Hollywood at the time so maybe that freshness worked to the advantage of the original. Personally I think the late Alan Riickman would have been more suited to the role than Reeves but that's just my opinion.
I agree that Alan Rickman with his double bass voice would have been a much better and more effective alien.
Minty says that Keanu's performance was dull and robotic, and he doesn't understand why. Everything Reeves did between Matrix Revolutions and John Wick was that level of garbage.
The biggest problem was that in the original, despite fears, Klaatu is here on a mission of peace. In the remake, Klaatu is absolutely here to destroy the human race. Oh and instead of casting a real giant, Gort is just crappy CGI (and an acronym)
I understand that Stephen King was watching the movie in a theater when suddenly it was paused, the lights went up and the manager made an announcement that the Soviet Union had launched a man made Satellite they called Sputnik into orbit.
You could be a casting director - Alan Rickman would have been excellent!
I am surprised that Minty failed to mention the real reason Gort was not shown picking up Patricia Neal - it was because the actor in the Gort suit had great difficult moving when wearing the suit and the comment was made that in endeavouring to pick up Patricia Neal there was a chance he could injure her. It was for this reason that the directors and producers decided to film Gort going behind the screen and then emerge with Neal in its arms. Further, the title of the movie stems from the scene where Klaatu demonstrates to the professor (played by Sam Jaffe) the power of their technology and hence the title of the film - this was NEVER an occurrence in the update and diminished the update's standing. Also, Sam Jaffe actually became better known as Ben Casey's mentor, so to speak, in the TV series Ben Casey (although Jaffe was well known before that). Finally, unlike many I am an admirer of Keanu Reeves and enjoyed his performance in this remake (although the remake was a sad reflection on the original) - remember that he was supposed to portray an alien in a human body, perhaps a revisit to Jeff Bridges in Starman would be worthwhile here.
I must have watched this flick 100 times, and I still love it!
One of the best & important movies ever regardless of genre. One of the films that I truly enjoy that inspired & aspired me to have a passion for sci-fi/ space / horror films. A classic obviously. The remake is slightly watchable but misses point somewhat…rather dry & by the book. The 50s atomic age & 80s were the golden age of sci-fi .
One of my favorites. I have it in my collection. Love Patricia Neal.
I like that you did an older classical movie. Please do more of them!!
In your list of cinematic robots you didn’t mention Robby the Robot, which was really big back in the day. Which leads into a good movie to do next, “Forbidden Planet”. You also might consider “Ben Hur” , “The Ten Commandments”, “The Guns of Navarone”, & “The Dirty Dozen”.
Great Video, as usual, Minty. I can't believe I'm only seeing this now, since it states that you put it out 4 years ago.
Nice one, Minty.
Still in 2022 the greatest sci fi movie ever made, nothing modern can even compare as far as the message and mystic of the alien visit. Just so well done without cgi and big explosions.
I strongly disagree with you on Keannu as Klatuu, is lack of emotion was intentional, as his character was meant to be a partly synthetic partly humanoid construct based on a mountain climber that the prime orb absorbed he didn't understand human emotion and only gradually learns what it is, and how to better understand emotions like love and kindness, to develop a kind of "connection" with the woman scientist and her child,
IMO and the CGI looked excellent for the time it was made, it was etherial and almost supernatural looking on purpose to show how way beyond advanced the technology of the sphere and it's nanites and Gort was...
I think your being a little too hard on the CGI and Keanu's intended portrayal of Klaatu
HEAR! HEAR!
Exactly Klatuu was learning as he went, hense his change of mind in the end.
I really don't think the CGI looks cartoony.
I think he's spot on and you are being far too generous.
What really irritated me about the remake was the fact that the supposedly morally and technically superior alien races were prepared to commit massive genocide of over seven billion humans. At the end the Earth stood still because all technology on the planet was rendered inoperable, ensuring mass starvation of billions. To me the ending of the remake was an environmentalist wacko wet dream
The best . Watched it at least 10 times over the years. It is still relavent in 2022 .
It's been one of my two favorite films since I first saw it so many years ago...great script, wonderful cast. And the message has only grown stronger and more poignant with each passing year. I sat through about 20 min. of the sequel, then had to bail...all it did was remind me that the original is untouchable.
It was a mortal sin to attempt a sequel on this masterpiece. We didn't pay to see the sequel, so we endured till the end.
The second Ben Hur was in the same category.
Stumbled upon this post, liked it so much, especially because this movie is in my top five favorite SF movies of all time, I subscribed with notification. Cheers.
KLATU VERATA NI...COUGH COUGH
1:48
I never made the connection with Army of Darkness???
"Necktie!"
"Nickel!"
@@vhagerty rofl
"There. I said it."
One of my favorite old sci-fi movies! Got to love the robot.
I agree with your opinion of the remake. Let us never speak of it again
This epic movie, and "The Forbidden Planet" are my science fiction favorites. "The Day....." is a milestone of the genre. BUT, one point has always bugged me about this movie. When Klaatu is convalescing in the hospital, after a trigger-happy GI shot him, he asks to see the President. However, Klaatu is told that the President is much to busy, as a low-level bureaucrat is sent to ask why he is here! Are you kidding me?? Every Pol in Washington would be climbing all over each other to get a photo-op with Klaatu and Gort!
First lol 1st of March 2022 from Ireland.
Very nice job here on this movie. The big six science fiction movies for me from the 50s: Godzilla, Day Earth Stood Still, The Thing, Forbidden Planet, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and War of the Worlds. Just great movies that, as has been said in this thread, have stood the test of time.
most people forget Klaatu's story at the end, he said they used to have violence and wars, until they built Gorts, the A.i. became so powerful that they went rouge and started killing everyone, so they dared not to have any kind of violence or any thing that could be construed as a weapon, so no lightsabers or kitchen knives, for fear that they would be incinerated by Gort who had no off switch or moral compunction
Wow! Terminator with a conscience! 😜😂
@@louisefontaine6856 more like terminator without, you should watch the Sarah Connor Chronicles, you see both, one with and one without
wtf are you talking about. Klatuu never said the Gort race went nuts and killed everyone. I hope you're kidding,,,if not, you need to go watch the movie right Now!
@@sgrimm7346 he said they were scared into submission when the Gorts got out of control
@@futuramayeah what movie did YOU see?
It was a favorite for me as a child and It made an impression. So much that it was one of those movies that I never forgotten. I later watched a lot of Lost in Space and then went on to become a real Star Trek fan but the one movie that started it for me was The Day The Earth Stood Still. These things were inspirational in my future success and now retired from the I.T. field.
Very interesting! This movie is as old as my parents, and Epic! I saw it a few times as a kid. I can probably find on DVD now? EBay or something.
Amazon for a DVD… Amazon Prime if you want to buy a streaming version.
It also shows up a few times a year on AMC or TCM don't recall which but it was on just recently.
The dvd is out there to buy, I did...
I own it on Blu-Ray. I got it for about a tenner.
It shows how much of a classic money maker it really is that it is not free on any of the streaming services. You still have to rent or buy it.
PROPHETIC the 1950 version // thank you Michael Rennie // Eternal Rest //
a one mans vision of how to tell the world ....wars are futile ...
War remains humanity's greatest achievement. We really are at our best when we're at our worst. It's quite a paradox.
The use of the theremin is what made the soundtrack so innovative
Wow! I thought you covered this film long ago.
On the Director Commentary for, "Star Trek: THe Motion Picture," Robert Wise discusses, "Day The Earth Stood Still" in great detail to Nicholas Meyer.
I first saw this film on television when I was about eight. Not only did I love Gort (in fact, I have an animated Busy cursor that is of Gort for my desktop), I could tell that it was a tale of the Christ, told through a science fiction format. Wise, on the commentary mentioned above, said he was unaware of it while filming and would never had made it had he known. The symbolism was so obvious to an eight year old but he could not see it? In the 1990's, I lived in Washington, DC, and watched the movie again with my friends.
I think this is one of the best movies made and still stand up decades later. The remake is not worth watching and I regret that I did (despite John Cleese being in it).
I was waiting for him to say something about it possibly had been modeled after Jesus Christ. I see they're showing the newer one on COMET, but I didn't watch it after seeing that others said it was horrible.
I also watched it way back when, like you. Though I didn’t care for the newer version until I watched it a second time (since then, I’ve watched it several more times and like it more each extra time that I view it).
@@julienielsen3746 I like the new one. Reeves' natural mechanical acting made him absolutely perfect for the role and the CG was good for its time. In many ways, it feels like a low-key cousin of the Matrix because of that.
Like most movies, you'll probably know if you think it's horrible in the first 30 minutes. Give it a shot.
Since you've made mention to it, I think that the original Star Trek film, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. I can't tell you how many times I've watched it!! S.T The Motion Picture and Star Trek: First Contact are my favourite Star Trek movies....
There was a remake? Never heard of it or watched it. I thought you meant The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Gort scared the crap out of me when I watched this movie in 1962. I was 7 years old. One of my favorite movies ever!
One of the greatest films ever made! IIRC GORT/GNUT was actually the one in charge, not Klaatu. I think the excellent supporting cast deserves mention. The film was also a comment on the Red Scare tearing at the nation at that time. I thought the re-make could have been great, Keanu was perfect casting IMHO, but the radical change to GORT (esp making his name a earthbound army's moniker) & the ship was unfortunate as was the overbearing ecological message, they were here to save the planet from us, not save us.
GORT: Genetically Organized Robotic Technology.
@@seanb6478 Yeah, kind of dopey.😉
Everything you said is spot on. Thank you. Subscribed!
The remake was a complete uttermost disaster. In fact, every ‘remake’ of all classic movies coming out of Hollywood are complete disasters.
Never saw the remake and saved my money with compounded interest.
I saw this movie when i was very young, and i loved it, i also like the remake, hey, any movie featuring Jennifer Connelly is a good one. You should make a video about a very good movie that i like a lot, Quatermass and the pitt. I have the blue ray of it, and it's the only movie that deserve a remake in my opinion.
My favorite movie of all time. I watch it every time it comes on. A great classic.
I LOVE this movie, & I have no interest in watching the remake. Minty, you surprised me here. I wasn't expecting you to cover this one. I hope you do cover more classic films, in the near future. I've got a LONG list of ones I'd love to see 10 things episodes, on.
I was a Film Major..... And this is One of 5, of my All Time Favorite Films !!!
Definitely a favorite…(and yes, the remake fell very flat). Thank goodness for this film. Without it, our sci-fi might still be stuck in the “giant mutated creature” trope that was the go-to in the 50s.
But we don't see it on TV only ghastly remake.
Remember seeing this as a ‘50’s kid, & just loved it! Still do. Michael Rennie was my first movie-star ‘crush’
Hey Minty, did we ever find out specifically why the military didn’t like the script? The next one you should review is “war of the world” (unless you already did that review and I missed it.) I agree Keanu is a class act.
Is that question about the military a serious one? Assuming it was not just a joke, did you ever watch the movie? It makes the military look like a bunch of trigger-happy fools who like nothing better than to go around shooting people down. The movie's theme was also pretty pacifistic and largely (though not entirely) anti-military. So yeah there's no mystery to it at all. It is poretty self-explanatory.
If I had to guess it probably had to do with the movie portraying the American military, which had just won WW2 and was the most powerful the world had ever seen, as being completely useless and at the mercy of invading aliens.
It's likely that the military didn't want to be seen as basically helpless when confronted by a superior force from outer space.
@@bradfordhatch5085 I'd say it's more likely they appear helpless. against one guy and his robot.
Yes, do "War of the worlds" but do the original....
I saw this in 1956 when I was six years old. When Gort's visor opened it had a dramatic effect on my imagination which continues to this day. I was just awestruck.
"Lock had gigantism and stood at 7 feet tall"
*shows picture of Lock pointing at his height of 7'7"
note: Google says he was 7'4"
Past 7 feet who's counting?
@@1pcfred Don't forget the 'shoes' he had on...LOL! Ask any woman how fast they gain height by simply putting on high-heeled shoes!
Still one of my absolute favourite movies. Farewell to the Master is amazing.