@@danielueblacker9118 By 1951, colour films were not at all a rarity. Today, and for a while, there has been a resurgence of black and white photography and films, and all for the better, IMO. A few films suffered or were of less quality because they were in black and white. For instance, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" should have been filmed in colour. I always thought that the first "real life" part of "The Wizard of OZ" should have been in realistic, slightly muted colour, while the second, dream part should have been in black and white with dark shadows, lots of negative space and all, like a noir.
@@JRobbySh Yes, the people in the movies are trim, even thin. This is not because they are necessarily naturally prone to thinness. The vast majority of them work hard at it. It is well said that the camera adds ten pounds or more. It has always been the norm for actors to be on the thin side, even to extremes. If you ever met a working film actor you would notice that they are thinner than they look on the screen and thinner than even most fit people. Not so long ago "portly" was a compliment for men. "Round" and "substantial" were compliments for women. This changed as the 20th-century wore on until thinness became the compliment. Fashions change over time, but people remain people.
Lockard J. Martin is my step grandfather, He played the robotic galactic police man he died in 1958, He was a very gentle giant 7' 7"tall 291 lbs and wore asize 19 boot.
I've watched this movie more times than I can tell, but because of a short video on You Tube, I noticed something for the very first time since I discovered this fim so many years ago. If you look far to the left of frame and lower left and center as the saucer is landing, you see cars and trucks moving. I thought this was a simple cut and paste job, given the techniques of the time, but now I KNOW, they were BRILLIANT with this detail. If the rest of you knew this, excuse and old guy but finding that was like watching it for the first time when I was the age of four, a few years after it came out and was showing at the matinee. I'll thank my darling mom for exposing me to this wonderful movie at such a young age, along with "Forbidden Planet" and "Visit to a Small Planet".
I've always liked this movie so much more than others of the era because it shows fear to be the real threat. So many other movies of the time played on fear as their primary goal. The skill this was put together with is also head and shoulders above other films of the time, as you describe. There's nothing clunky or awkward about it and that's one reason it has aged so well. I know I appreciated when I first saw it not only how simple and almost featureless Gort was but how completely featureless the ship was, unlike the graphics you used to illustrate your video, his ship was as featureless as a cymbal. Don't distract us with details, let us focus more entirely on the story. When I first signed up for the Science Fiction Book Club back in the day it was because they were offering a record album of "The Science Fiction Music of Bernard Herrmann" if I would sign up. This LP included the theme to The Day the Earth Stood Still and the theme to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. I suspect now that even color film would have been too distracting to the story at the time.
When I was in my mid-teens, I was first exposed to this movie in a unit in 9th grade English. It's a very profound film in many ways, and I remember concluding, but not with the deep thought and analysis that you've expressed, as a plea for peace. When I re-saw the film and the radio play during pandemic, I saw Gort really as being part of a universal police force -- choose peace or else. To me, it seemed like Gort just carried a bigger stick, bigger than nuclear annihilation - hie message seemed (at least to me in the midst of pandemic) "Be peaceful, get along, or I (Gort) will destroy you!" The threat message is not that profound - just who has the bigger stick? You, sfdebris, raise many points. I need to re-listen to your video and then re-see the movie. Thank you!
Bless your heart! You GET IT! From this brilliant movie: "It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet. But if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: Join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. ... " We are on the course to destroy our "gifted" home. We must awaken and change.
Great point. Where the movie errs is that in the original storey by Harry Bates Gort was actually the mission commander. Klaatu was just a spokesman. Gort was running the show.
The effective word used by Klatu explaining what Gort can do is that he could destroy the "earth". Meaning totality. Our worlds tend to be exclusive to yours, mine, and their world. Earth's destruction is absolute. Good video. Great movie.
A great analysis. This is my all-time favorite sci-fi movie. It is so unique that the breakdown of this movie can even be applied to what is going on today.
It's definitely one of those rare films where if you know about the story going in, it helps immensely. There are small details that are of their time, so if you aren't in on the implications it may not make sense. But it absolutely holds up to a modern audience.
Please do! Don't bother with the remake. It's a poor imitation. (The only good part is John Cleese picking up a piece of chalk and writing as Klaatu is revealing the sourse of his power. Cleese as professor Barhardt is BRILLIANT! "Professor Barnhardt : There must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve our problem. Klaatu : Your problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.
"Hatred must be a precious thing that would we go so far to preserve it." This is, regrettably, one of the most true statements I've ever heard. The fact that it still applies, and in so many ways, in the modern age is a truly depressing fact.
Isaac Asimov once wrote an article condemning racial exclusivism by using for his subject the biblical stories of Ruth (one of the hated Moabite race, who ultimately became a great-grandmother of King David) and the Jew whom, after being assaulted by robbers, was aided by a Samaritan (another group with whom no good Jew would have any traffic). Suppose, he asked, if Jesus told a story about a white traveler in Mississippi who had been mugged on the road, and first a deacon and then a minister should be the ones who walked by on the other side, and that it was a black sharecropper who helped the wounded man. Who is the man, Asimov asked, that you must treat as a man like yourself if you wish to be saved? And he finished with the rhetorical question: "Is the privilege of feeling hatred so luxurious a sensation that it is worth the material and spiritual hell of a White-Black civil war?" Hatred must be precious indeed - as precious as we usually hold love to be. But then, what are love and hatred but two sides of the same coin? 🙁 🙂
It gets better, because my face is dead center twice at the 8:42 moment, along with the only photographic evidence of Santa Claus. How did I find this moment in TIME? A map made by my 8 year old in 2001, that also draws the 2 green cubes that spit from my face July 2015. There is 2 of me in your present.
I disagree. It should be a must see for just about anyone. I always tell people i'm not going to talk to them about films until they've watched this one. I haven't had anybody that hasn't, a few have vainly tried, even after a brief discussion, come to the conclusion, once they've accepted the age, that it's in B&W etc etc, that it is one of the best films they've seen. my powers of persuasion really aren't that good, ergo...
How many times in my life that I was knocked down and overwhelmed and I wanted Gort to appear and raise his visor toward the bad guys ??!!! Favorite scene of any movie !!
My first viewing was as a youngster on a Saturday afternoon, and viewing Gort elimating the tanks notched the 'Wow' factor up for me. As with many things of our youth that once captivated us, over time we outgrow them as we age. Not with this film. As I've viewed it over the years its only grown richer, and yes, bolder in its message. In the short story on which it was based Gort was green and wore a leotard, isnt that wild? This was an excellent analysis of a timeless film, thank you.
the newer Gort was destroyed not even close to the magic of the original being frightened and emotional to the character. the remake was not bad but for the remake of Gort.
A thoughtful, well-considered discussion. Quite valid points. Intended or not by the creators, the movie seems to hold up a mirror to show how imperfect we mostly are. The lone visionary is a university professor. Left to assume there are a few others like him sprinkled around the world. Movie warns against blowing up ourselves or other civilizations. Instead, we are bleeding the Earth every day by billions of little cuts.
Excellent video! I havent seen one of your videos in awhile but you remain my favorite all time reviewer of the Star Trek: Voyager series. Good to see this classic too!
Great film! Seen it many times. Sam Jaffe is perfectly cast as the physicist. Michael Rennie as well. You may recognize Bobby as Billy Gray, Bud from Father Knows Best.
@@lesaber251 Francis Bavier!...She was known to be a bit cynical concerning her career, as she was somehow typecast as a "typical" matronly woman...and was not too thrilled with her situation.
I also definitely recognize one of the soldiers who stood ready to shoot Klaatu...he did some TV work, but I cannot figure out who he was! He had no speaking part in this movie.
I saw this as a child and I was enthralled by it and it left strong impressions on me about the use of force in response to the unknown or unfamiliar. As I got older I questioned the premise of the achieved peace of the other worlds; the idea of creating a technology that essentially neutralizes aggression when it occurs will assure peace as a consequence. Essentially not much different than what the larger governments of the world do now; sustain a big strong undisputed military presence and it will make people think twice about messing with you. We're living with the failed aspects of that idea. Peace will not be achieved when the means to achieve it are essentially fear, intimidation or violence of another sort, however novel. Most people will eventually chaff under such a system. The writers were clever in exposing our use of violence and fear to the unfamiliar but they still lacked the creativity to find an idea that might see that peace achieved elsewhere, whether here or on another planet. It seems we're stuck on that theme as a great many movies that represent the various conflicts we face use force and violence whether it be with superhero's or advanced technology. It would be of some comfort to see movies where ideas of the future weren't rooted in violence and conflict and that those depicting peace didn't come by it by through violent means, overt or veiled. It's discouraging that we can't come up with those ideas even by way of our imagination in films and books and stories. Perhaps someone out there would like to inspire us with such an idea(s). It may not sell a book or movie by today's need for escalated tension but it could offer a promising glimpse of a possible alternative, that in time might be built upon toward a true and lasting peace.
One of my top five favorite movies. I saw this in the show in 1951 as a double feature with Destination Moon. Seventy-one years later this movie has not lost its impact and intensity. It holds up just as well here in the 21st century as it did in 1951. What are my other top movies? Fly Away Home, Fantasia (the original), The Hunt for Red October, and Last of the Dogmen. Just missing the top spots are Leon the Professional and The Third Man. Every ten years or so I would revisit The Day the Earth Stood Still, and marvel that it had not lost any of its impact. After watching this video, I'm gonna get out my copy and watch it again. Of my top five, the only movie I've seen more times than The Day the Earth Stood Still is the 1940 Fantasia. Every time Disney brought it out of the vault for theatrical re-release, I made sure I attended at least one showing and oftentimes, two or three more.
New subscriber here. A well presented, highly enjoyable analysis of this most excellent classic sci-fi movie. It is always refreshing to be both informed and entertained by the handiwork of a talented, creative mind. You do good stuff. More, please. Cheers.
OUTSTANDING VIDEO TY .Easily one of the best movies EVER made. Unfortunately we still haven't figured out how to live without stupidity, in fact today stupidity thrives. Just one thought about the movie. It would not be nearly as dramatic as it is had it been shot in color. GORT BARANGAE
Excellent videos on this important, intelligent film. I've wondered about the remarkable saucer in this film and how much it resembles most of the saucers documented in UFO sightings. Also, consider the recent disclosure made by the DoD that sightings have been made repeatedly over nuclear missile bases, including those in Russia, and that these UFOs have the capability of turning the nukes off and on. Is this the same message Klaatu brings to the nations of Earth?
"Micheal Rennie was ill the day the Earth stood still, but he told us, where we stand." - Science Fiction Double Feature (Rocky Horror Picture Show 1973)
I'm surprised you didn't mention the Jesus comparison. That Klaatu's resurrection back to life was Christ-like and that the Earthly surname he has is Carpenter. Jesus, being a carpenter in his early years.
Can't for the life of me understand why i haven't been aware of your channel up until now! Absolute no hesitation instant subscription! All hail the random algorithm god of google, may it continue to issue forth such fruit!s of delight! Along with a small selection of others, I watch this film every year over the new year break. imho one of the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre. Whilst i don't entirely agree with your proposed theories/motives regarding the "message" of the film, i do agree with much of your analysis. An excellent and thought provoking video, well worth both the time watching it and that beyond, considering your points. I really appreciated it, thank you for your work.
Great debrief thanks of a movie that has always resonated. This point touched me in your review at 8.10 - "The fear of a Communist threat was doing more to harm American values, than the communists themselves were" - couldn't help but substitute: "The fear of a virus threat was doing more to harm America, than the virus itself would" Some things don't change it seems.
What happened to the gift that Klaatu had for the president? It isn't mentioned again. It would've been nice if he could've repaired/replaced it, but what was left of it could still be studied.
This, and "Forbidden Planet" are, just exceptional films focused on telling a story and not impressing me with techno-babble (a la any 'Star Trek'). Watchable over many viewings. Even the re-boot is tolerable if you squint and don't listen too closely but they succumbed to the special effects crutch. Great clip. Thanks.
Mr. Cashion, you, sir GET IT!!! It's not special effects that make a movie great. It's STORY! This movie is timeless. It still rings with such a loud truth we must be deaf with lies to not hear. Live your life with this truth.
I'm finishing at 9:48 - because this seems to be little more than a summary of the movie's plot which I already know. I was hoping for more in depth analysis or maybe some behind the scenes trivia.
First time I saw this film was on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies in the early 60’s. It’s been one of my all time favorite SciFi films ever since. Michael Rennie was perfect as Klatu,he was a relative unknown which I think makes the suspense better. The remake in the 2000’s with Keanu Reeves was horrible in my eyes. They changed too much for me. Like the difference between the Second Jurassic Park and the book. I didn’t care for the second film either.
YES!! i too first saw the 1951 masterpiece on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies in the early 60’s. And it has remained my favorite SF film to the point that over time my cars have been silver with the license plate GORT.
I am in the same club, seeing it for the first time on NBC's saturday night at the movies back in 1962 or 1963. I was 8 years old then and just loved it for the spaceship and Gort but upon more viewings thru the years I began to understand its message. It has become a timeless CLASSIC and one of my favorites.
Just curious - have you ever done an analysis of arguably the WORST scifi movie of all time, Plan Nine from Outer Space? That would be a hoot to watch...
@@AnAverageGoblin Yeah, no. It could be bad. It could be *very* bad. But there's no way it's the WORST. Not while the Sci-Fi Channel Original Movies exist, along with practically anything with 'Roger Corman presents' attached to it. Now, those are good fun. But they're terrible movies.
This movie has a deal effect on me as I grew up in the 60's the height of the Cold War. So much, in fact, that due to the catastrophic nature of the new nuclear genesis, I pursued the peaceful use of the atom & pursued a career in nuclear power after a stint in th Navy on a Ballistic Missile submarine as a Reactor Operator. This movie really made an impact on me & I'm glad it did. The morale of the movie was studdering, "join us and prosper or pursue your current course of action and face obliteration" are words that still hold their value today! Klatu can be thought of as a prophet, one we could use today and with the development of A.I., we may be closer to a Gort than we all think?
@@TheDejael : What I meant was that he towered over the other actors because of the intentionally manipulated camera angles. It was a subliminal effect used by the director.
At 2:46 the soldier did what any soldier would have done. Before he takes his helmet off showing that he looks like a human being and before saying a word, he takes out something that could be a weapon and points it at the soldiers. I think this is one of the biggest mistakes they made in this movie.
One of the best movies ever made. Direction, story, acting, soundtrack, it's got it all. I only have one slight difficulty with the storyline. When Gort rescues a dead Klaatu from the jail cell, how could they remain unnoticed by anyone? Seems a heightened public awareness, a police force on alert and the army might see a rather large robot carrying a body around town.
This is an an easy answer to your question. Not only do aliens have the technology to do as they please, they also have powers that man does not. We never did see Klaatu leave the hospital did we, As well, we saw a glimpse of his power by opening Professor Barnhart door. We only know that he has power to unlock doors and to walk out unnoticed. So does Gort, he can do things that we cannot do although they did not show us the details of how they do things, they just do. Just like the machine that Gort placed Klaatu on, to bring him back to life. They just tried to keep it as simple as they can, to tell their story, use your imagination, I used mine. This movie was an ingenious story that told us that we need to behave or, we will be destroyed. Remember what Klaatu said we have the power to put nuclear power into space ships, by doing that we are a threat to other worlds, why, because of us, our hatred, death and destruction follows mankind, they do not want that in their world. I really don't blame them do you. Remember what Klaatu told the man from the cabinet from the president's table, you must think of us as your neighbors and we live in peace. Klaatu fulfilled his mission, and his goal, and he delivered the message, now it's up to us. This Is A Great Story, Even for our Day. Vladimir Putin is ready to go to war with Russia, Over Ukraine, the Chinese are ready to go to war over Taiwan, Iran is ready to go to war because of what Trump did, killing one of their generals. We are looking down the barrel of a gun, and if we don't be careful, it's all going to blow up in our face's, the whole world will be swept up into World War 3, a nuclear war, which Nobody can win.
@@DJRobbie54 Re-read what I wrote. Then re-read what you wrote. Not to be nasty, it seems obvious your "imagination brain" for watching movies has over-simplified what should be obvious. Imagination or speculation of alien "talents" may account for some things (left unstated and not shown) but not in the actual making of the movie. Leaving the hospital (after chuckling about being locked in), or opening Professor Barnhart's locked door, shows superiority over minute things that humans perceive as daunting, OMG a locked door! Not a big deal, not a lot of time spent explaining his ease of access. Possible foreshadowing of future events, opening the viewer's mind to possibilities bit by bit. Lending credibility to making the earth "stand still". Conversely, regenerating Klaatu was made out to be a big deal, lots of noise, eerie soundtrack and mysterious lighting. Purposely done, and done on a machine. A big difference in the methods for publics' perception. There was never any inference about invisibility or magic time displacement techniques to afford Gort anonymity from jail cell to ship. This was conveniently avoided, merely smoothing over and, to me, creates a "but, wait, what?" moment in the movie because I notice things, it wasn't seemless to me. I find that a minor direction flaw. I also wouldn't know what else to insert into or between those scenes. Probably better left as is. Now, don't get me wrong, it really is my favorite movie of all time. Thanks for the chat.
3:25 Clatu must be brought to a hospital to be treated for the gun shot, but the space ship has an amazing tool so technologically advanced that can bring people back from the dead, Gort would have carried Clatu back to the amazing tool and treat him there. 5:30 The UN was created in San Francisco, CA on October 24, 1945, The Day the Earth Stood Still was released in 1951, world leaders refused to attend this meeting because it's not being held in a place of their preference. Don't get me wrong I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! Because it showed to us the great chance that we had to compare two opposite economic systems, capitalism vs socialism, if only allowed to both flourish unhampered or unhindered by either one, with the winner take all.
War is downright stupid. Someone wants what someone else has and are willing to kill for it. In this great movie, the message is that nobody will win if we use nuclear weapons against each other. What a great movie with great actors, esp. Riene and little Billy Gray.
How did Gort get from the park to the jail to pick up Klatu's body without causing a huge disturbance enroute from people and the military who would obviously see him?
I was waiting for the narrator (who did an excellent job of analyzing the film) to point out that, when Klaatu goes "undercover" at the boarding house, he chooses the pseudonym "Carpenter": the profession of Jesus.
And that's before you get into the horror of what happens when you fire a globe-spanning EMP. Life support and rotting food in the fridge are just the start...
To be fair, if you were told to cast a stoic character, Keanu makes sense on paper. Unless you're just criticizing the remake in general. I just feel like Reeves gets too much hate.
I agree. He certainly seemed to fulfill the requirements for a top leading man at that time. From his performance in this flick, you'd think he could handle work in other genres just as adeptly.
This is one of my Favorite movies....Would Love to see this Colorized......We've eliminated "systemic racism" despite the progressivists lies of today....We now need to look to the Future and work to unify people without threat or intimidation also better ourselves and implementing more Freedoms and remove oppressive agendas individuals in positions of leadership.....LEAD BY EXAMPLE.....
An incredible movie that is still relevant today,especially if we look at the past 2 years and the paranoia and fear that was generated by the media about covid,if we look at this movie in a spiritual light and see that we are not alone in the universe,that what we do can affect other planets and dimensions it takes on a whole different perspective.
KLAATU BORADA NIKTO! One thing that this commentator did not mention that is a vital part of the story as a plot, is that this movie was an allegory based on the story of Christ. Thus it is a modern update to the Biblical story of the Galilean Messiah. There are many parallels found in this movie that appear obvious. I discussed this with Robert Wise when I met him at a film convention in 1982. He admitted it was, and that was the story's moral strength. He said the others involved in the 1951 production had discussed it with him also, including the producers and screenwriters, and the principal actors. I call this movie "The Gospel According to Klaatu" where Klaatu = Christ. He is an emissary sent to save the world from certain destruction, and Gort is an "angel" of the highest order, since Gort has been given awesome powers. The benevolent Klaatu wields unbelievable power, although later we see that his race has given that power to a race of giant militant police robots. We also see the other characters - Helen Benson is Mary Magdalene, Tom is Judas, the military are the Romans and other high officials in Jerusalem, and so on. One interesting plot detail is that Klaatu takes on the secret identity of "Mr. Carpenter" when we know from the Bible story that Jesus was a carpenter by trade. Also on the "borrowed" briefcase, we see the initials "L.M.C." which is the name of the person Klaatu has "borrowed" the case from, but it could also mean "Lord and Master Christ". Interesting plot details abound, such as when Klaatu is shot in the street, he stretches his arms out as if he is being put on a cross, and then Helen comes to witness his death, and he puts her on a special mission to Gort with those three famous alien words. Gort rampages across the city to recover Klaatu's body from the "tomb" by "rolling away the stone" by his powerful ray beam, and then Klaatu's resurrection scene in the saucer show us that he is more than a mere mortal being. We then see Klaatu's "Sermon on the Spaceship" which is very much in poetic tone like Christ's "Sermon on the Mount", and then Klaatu is taken away to Heaven, as Christ ascends to Heaven in scripture. An inspiring viewpoint on this excellent classic film. Also, Bernard Herrmann elevates the mundane look of the film into the stratosphere with his excellent music score with two Theremins played for eerie dramatic effect.
The beauty of this film is it is still revelent today. The remake palls in comparison . With the tension between us and Russia and China hanging over our heads, this film is more real than sci-fi. Today, we know UFOs are real because for the first time, our military is admitting it. Who's to say that they will not intervene at some point. They've been here since before humans and even the Bible speaks of them. So, the future of our planet might also affect them also. Sightings increased all through the late 40s ,50s up to now. Sci-fi has often become reality in the past. This is no different.
While this was an excellent movie, those who haven't should read the short story on which the film was based, "Farewell to the Masters" by Harry Bates. The ending has a plot twist definitely more intriguing than the movie treatment, and would fit right in with the best of "The Twilight Zone", or "The Outer Limits". The film was changed with the idea that such an ending as in the story might offend the religious sensibilities of many Americans!
He played Ellery Queen once. He also had a steady gig in a soap opera thing towards the end of his career. That's about as close as he ever came. He did play wormy dudes in other stuff though.
![[1954] Lux Radio Theatre - The Day the Earth Stood Still](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/J26YmLqESMg/mqdefault.jpg)
This movie is the Gold standard of all sci-fi movies
I consider this to be one of the best movies ever. Everyone on earth need to see and understand it. Great job!
@Chris Can Too! I totally agree.
great movie,writers etc.valid topics.I love this movie.
Maybe Rashomon might just edge it? But it is certainly so very, very close that it really doesn't matter. masterpiece.
Michael Renni is awesome in anything he's in.
EXCELLENT video about and EXTRAORDINARY movie that was YEARS ahead of its time!
I love the scene where the army doctors marvel at Klaatu's physique while they smoke cigarettes
Well said.
that was the day aka normal.
@@danielueblacker9118 By 1951, colour films were not at all a rarity. Today, and for a while, there has been a resurgence of black and white photography and films, and all for the better, IMO. A few films suffered or were of less quality because they were in black and white. For instance, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" should have been filmed in colour.
I always thought that the first "real life" part of "The Wizard of OZ" should have been in realistic, slightly muted colour, while the second, dream part should have been in black and white with dark shadows, lots of negative space and all, like a noir.
Consider how trim the people looks compared with is the number of fat people among us. Fast food no better than tobacco,
@@JRobbySh Yes, the people in the movies are trim, even thin. This is not because they are necessarily naturally prone to thinness. The vast majority of them work hard at it. It is well said that the camera adds ten pounds or more. It has always been the norm for actors to be on the thin side, even to extremes. If you ever met a working film actor you would notice that they are thinner than they look on the screen and thinner than even most fit people.
Not so long ago "portly" was a compliment for men. "Round" and "substantial" were compliments for women. This changed as the 20th-century wore on until thinness became the compliment. Fashions change over time, but people remain people.
Lockard J. Martin is my step grandfather, He played the robotic galactic police man he died in 1958, He was a very gentle giant 7' 7"tall 291 lbs and wore asize 19 boot.
I've watched this movie more times than I can tell, but because of a short video on You Tube, I noticed something for the very first time since I discovered this fim so many years ago. If you look far to the left of frame and lower left and center as the saucer is landing, you see cars and trucks moving. I thought this was a simple cut and paste job, given the techniques of the time, but now I KNOW, they were BRILLIANT with this detail. If the rest of you knew this, excuse and old guy but finding that was like watching it for the first time when I was the age of four, a few years after it came out and was showing at the matinee. I'll thank my darling mom for exposing me to this wonderful movie at such a young age, along with "Forbidden Planet" and "Visit to a Small Planet".
I've always liked this movie so much more than others of the era because it shows fear to be the real threat. So many other movies of the time played on fear as their primary goal.
The skill this was put together with is also head and shoulders above other films of the time, as you describe. There's nothing clunky or awkward about it and that's one reason it has aged so well. I know I appreciated when I first saw it not only how simple and almost featureless Gort was but how completely featureless the ship was, unlike the graphics you used to illustrate your video, his ship was as featureless as a cymbal. Don't distract us with details, let us focus more entirely on the story.
When I first signed up for the Science Fiction Book Club back in the day it was because they were offering a record album of "The Science Fiction Music of Bernard Herrmann" if I would sign up. This LP included the theme to The Day the Earth Stood Still and the theme to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
I suspect now that even color film would have been too distracting to the story at the time.
When I was in my mid-teens, I was first exposed to this movie in a unit in 9th grade English. It's a very profound film in many ways, and I remember concluding, but not with the deep thought and analysis that you've expressed, as a plea for peace. When I re-saw the film and the radio play during pandemic, I saw Gort really as being part of a universal police force -- choose peace or else. To me, it seemed like Gort just carried a bigger stick, bigger than nuclear annihilation - hie message seemed (at least to me in the midst of pandemic) "Be peaceful, get along, or I (Gort) will destroy you!" The threat message is not that profound - just who has the bigger stick? You, sfdebris, raise many points. I need to re-listen to your video and then re-see the movie. Thank you!
Bless your heart! You GET IT! From this brilliant movie: "It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet. But if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: Join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. ... " We are on the course to destroy our "gifted" home. We must awaken and change.
Great point. Where the movie errs is that in the original storey by Harry Bates Gort was actually the mission commander. Klaatu was just a spokesman. Gort was running the show.
The effective word used by Klatu explaining what Gort can do is that he could destroy the "earth". Meaning totality. Our worlds tend to be exclusive to yours, mine, and their world. Earth's destruction is absolute. Good video. Great movie.
A great analysis. This is my all-time favorite sci-fi movie. It is so unique that the breakdown of this movie can even be applied to what is going on today.
Great post. What more can I say?👍
This sounds like a legitimately good film! I'll have to watch it if I get a chance.
It's definitely one of those rare films where if you know about the story going in, it helps immensely. There are small details that are of their time, so if you aren't in on the implications it may not make sense.
But it absolutely holds up to a modern audience.
Please do! Don't bother with the remake. It's a poor imitation. (The only good part is John Cleese picking up a piece of chalk and writing as Klaatu is revealing the sourse of his power. Cleese as professor Barhardt is BRILLIANT! "Professor Barnhardt : There must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve our problem.
Klaatu : Your problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.
"Hatred must be a precious thing that would we go so far to preserve it." This is, regrettably, one of the most true statements I've ever heard. The fact that it still applies, and in so many ways, in the modern age is a truly depressing fact.
Still? Well, of course.
Isaac Asimov once wrote an article condemning racial exclusivism by using for his subject the biblical stories of Ruth (one of the hated Moabite race, who ultimately became a great-grandmother of King David) and the Jew whom, after being assaulted by robbers, was aided by a Samaritan (another group with whom no good Jew would have any traffic). Suppose, he asked, if Jesus told a story about a white traveler in Mississippi who had been mugged on the road, and first a deacon and then a minister should be the ones who walked by on the other side, and that it was a black sharecropper who helped the wounded man. Who is the man, Asimov asked, that you must treat as a man like yourself if you wish to be saved? And he finished with the rhetorical question: "Is the privilege of feeling hatred so luxurious a sensation that it is worth the material and spiritual hell of a White-Black civil war?"
Hatred must be precious indeed - as precious as we usually hold love to be. But then, what are love and hatred but two sides of the same coin? 🙁 🙂
Thank you. My absolute favorite sf movie and story.
It gets better, because my face is dead center twice at the 8:42 moment, along with the only photographic evidence of Santa Claus. How did I find this moment in TIME? A map made by my 8 year old in 2001, that also draws the 2 green cubes that spit from my face July 2015. There is 2 of me in your present.
Great analysis on a great film. This film should be a “must see” for anyone who likes SciFi.
I disagree. It should be a must see for just about anyone. I always tell people i'm not going to talk to them about films until they've watched this one. I haven't had anybody that hasn't, a few have vainly tried, even after a brief discussion, come to the conclusion, once they've accepted the age, that it's in B&W etc etc, that it is one of the best films they've seen. my powers of persuasion really aren't that good, ergo...
Or understanding world political issues.
Excellent analysis and discussion of humans on this earth, during all times!
DTESS almost seems like a feature-length "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street".
How many times in my life that I was knocked down and overwhelmed and I wanted Gort to appear and raise his visor toward the bad guys ??!!! Favorite scene of any movie !!
Me too! Superb post😉
My first viewing was as a youngster on a Saturday afternoon, and viewing Gort elimating the tanks notched the 'Wow' factor up for me. As with many things of our youth that once captivated us, over time we outgrow them as we age.
Not with this film. As I've viewed it over the years its only grown richer, and yes, bolder in its message. In the short story on which it was based Gort was green and wore a leotard, isnt that wild?
This was an excellent analysis of a timeless film, thank you.
A timeless classic! Has our outlook changed much since the 50s… I think not!
man it would suck if his movie got remade in the far future. wait..
the newer Gort was destroyed not even close to the magic of the original being frightened and emotional to the character. the remake was not bad but for the remake of Gort.
A thoughtful, well-considered discussion. Quite valid points.
Intended or not by the creators,
the movie seems to hold up a
mirror to show how imperfect we
mostly are. The lone visionary is
a university professor. Left to assume there are a few others like him sprinkled around the world.
Movie warns against blowing up ourselves or other civilizations.
Instead, we are bleeding the Earth every day by billions of little cuts.
Excellent video! I havent seen one of your videos in awhile but you remain my favorite all time reviewer of the Star Trek: Voyager series. Good to see this classic too!
Hello UA-cam algorithm. Understanding our selves through the entertainment we consume and interact with.
Great film! Seen it many times. Sam Jaffe is perfectly cast as the physicist. Michael Rennie as well. You may recognize Bobby as Billy Gray, Bud from Father Knows Best.
Don't forget that Aunt Bee is in this movie too.
@@KCOliver1960 Yes! She was!
@@lesaber251 Francis Bavier!...She was known to be a bit cynical concerning her career, as she was somehow typecast as a "typical" matronly woman...and was not too thrilled with her situation.
I also definitely recognize one of the soldiers who stood ready to shoot Klaatu...he did some TV work, but I cannot figure out who he was! He had no speaking part in this movie.
I saw this as a child and I was enthralled by it and it left strong impressions on me about the use of force in response to the unknown or unfamiliar. As I got older I questioned the premise of the achieved peace of the other worlds; the idea of creating a technology that essentially neutralizes aggression when it occurs will assure peace as a consequence. Essentially not much different than what the larger governments of the world do now; sustain a big strong undisputed military presence and it will make people think twice about messing with you. We're living with the failed aspects of that idea. Peace will not be achieved when the means to achieve it are essentially fear, intimidation or violence of another sort, however novel. Most people will eventually chaff under such a system. The writers were clever in exposing our use of violence and fear to the unfamiliar but they still lacked the creativity to find an idea that might see that peace achieved elsewhere, whether here or on another planet. It seems we're stuck on that theme as a great many movies that represent the various conflicts we face use force and violence whether it be with superhero's or advanced technology. It would be of some comfort to see movies where ideas of the future weren't rooted in violence and conflict and that those depicting peace didn't come by it by through violent means, overt or veiled. It's discouraging that we can't come up with those ideas even by way of our imagination in films and books and stories. Perhaps someone out there would like to inspire us with such an idea(s). It may not sell a book or movie by today's need for escalated tension but it could offer a promising glimpse of a possible alternative, that in time might be built upon toward a true and lasting peace.
One of my top five favorite movies. I saw this in the show in 1951 as a double feature with Destination Moon. Seventy-one years later this movie has not lost its impact and intensity. It holds up just as well here in the 21st century as it did in 1951. What are my other top movies? Fly Away Home, Fantasia (the original), The Hunt for Red October, and Last of the Dogmen. Just missing the top spots are Leon the Professional and The Third Man. Every ten years or so I would revisit The Day the Earth Stood Still, and marvel that it had not lost any of its impact. After watching this video, I'm gonna get out my copy and watch it again. Of my top five, the only movie I've seen more times than The Day the Earth Stood Still is the 1940 Fantasia. Every time Disney brought it out of the vault for theatrical re-release, I made sure I attended at least one showing and oftentimes, two or three more.
This movie is also the consequence of 7 ufos flying directly of the US Capitol. Kaltu's message still stands and Gort's presence is still with us.
Those UFO sightings over Washington D.C. occurred a week apart in July 1952, nearly a year after this movie was released in September 1951.
New subscriber here. A well presented, highly enjoyable analysis of this most excellent classic sci-fi movie. It is always refreshing to be both informed and entertained by the handiwork of a talented, creative mind. You do good stuff.
More, please.
Cheers.
Brilliant analysis!!!!!!!!!
OUTSTANDING VIDEO TY .Easily one of the best movies EVER made. Unfortunately we still haven't figured out how to live without stupidity, in fact today stupidity thrives. Just one thought about the movie. It would not be nearly as dramatic as it is had it been shot in color. GORT BARANGAE
A good analysis, as always! 👍
I saw the movie in 1951, when I was 8!
7:39 The top newspaper is in Yiddish. It contains the word Israel in Hebrew alphabet.
Bravo! Great overview & analysis.
The overarching lesson of this film: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Wise and prescient words.
A very thoughtful and timeless movie .
Excellent videos on this important, intelligent film. I've wondered about the remarkable saucer in this film and how much it resembles most of the saucers documented in UFO sightings. Also, consider the recent disclosure made by the DoD that sightings have been made repeatedly over nuclear missile bases, including those in Russia, and that these UFOs have the capability of turning the nukes off and on. Is this the same message Klaatu brings to the nations of Earth?
"Micheal Rennie was ill the day the Earth stood still, but he told us, where we stand."
- Science Fiction Double Feature (Rocky Horror Picture Show 1973)
Consider "The Iron Giant" along with the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still."
We need a Klaatu and Gort right now (with what's going on).
Yes - Gort = Robocop = Terminator
Wonderful discussion, about a favored film. I wish I was there. Thank You.
I like this thoughtful analysis of this movie. So many reviews of this film are done by people who think they are comedians.
The music score by Bernard Hermann was very compelling
IS very compelling!
The message of this film is...
"We have nothing to fear, except for the things that we're afraid of".
This is terrific. Good work.
I'm surprised you didn't mention the Jesus comparison. That Klaatu's resurrection back to life was Christ-like and that the Earthly surname he has is Carpenter. Jesus, being a carpenter in his early years.
Even as a child, I got the not so subtle comparison.
Can't for the life of me understand why i haven't been aware of your channel up until now! Absolute no hesitation instant subscription! All hail the random algorithm god of google, may it continue to issue forth such fruit!s of delight!
Along with a small selection of others, I watch this film every year over the new year break. imho one of the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre. Whilst i don't entirely agree with your proposed theories/motives regarding the "message" of the film, i do agree with much of your analysis. An excellent and thought provoking video, well worth both the time watching it and that beyond, considering your points. I really appreciated it, thank you for your work.
A film in need of a sequel, one set around our time.
Great debrief thanks of a movie that has always resonated. This point touched me in your review at 8.10 - "The fear of a Communist threat was doing more to harm American values, than the communists themselves were" - couldn't help but substitute: "The fear of a virus threat was doing more to harm America, than the virus itself would" Some things don't change it seems.
Great review
+1
What happened to the gift that Klaatu had for the president? It isn't mentioned again. It would've been nice if he could've repaired/replaced it, but what was left of it could still be studied.
They would have had had much trouble understanding an iPhone.
Excellent review. I've never watched the original. Time to get to it.
This, and "Forbidden Planet" are, just exceptional films focused on telling a story and not impressing me with techno-babble (a la any 'Star Trek'). Watchable over many viewings. Even the re-boot is tolerable if you squint and don't listen too closely but they succumbed to the special effects crutch. Great clip. Thanks.
Mr. Cashion, you, sir GET IT!!! It's not special effects that make a movie great. It's STORY! This movie is timeless. It still rings with such a loud truth we must be deaf with lies to not hear. Live your life with this truth.
I'm finishing at 9:48 - because this seems to be little more than a summary of the movie's plot which I already know.
I was hoping for more in depth analysis or maybe some behind the scenes trivia.
Still a splendid film in '21...
Very good....I had watched this movie 🎥 Many times
First time I saw this film was on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies in the early 60’s. It’s been one of my all time favorite SciFi films ever since. Michael Rennie was perfect as Klatu,he was a relative unknown which I think makes the suspense better. The remake in the 2000’s with Keanu Reeves was horrible in my eyes. They changed too much for me. Like the difference between the Second Jurassic Park and the book. I didn’t care for the second film either.
YES!! i too first saw the 1951 masterpiece on NBC’s Saturday Night at the Movies in the early 60’s. And it has remained my favorite SF film to the point that over time my cars have been silver with the license plate GORT.
I am in the same club, seeing it for the first time on NBC's saturday night at the movies back in 1962 or 1963. I was 8 years old then and just loved it for the spaceship and Gort but upon more viewings thru the years I began to understand its message. It has become a timeless CLASSIC and one of my favorites.
Add me to the club
A magical Saturday Night @ the Movies
Watched often, it's even on my DVR right now
The movie touches my soul
ME TOO! I still remember two other movies they showed then. "It happens every spring"& "Monkey Business" It seemed so miraculous to see a MOVIE ON TV!
Fw, the remake---- they didn't even try!!! Yuk!!!😢😮
Brilliant. Thank you.
The best SF movie ever….very relevant today 1 April 2022
This is extremely appropriate, especially today!
This is really great info my friend.
Just curious - have you ever done an analysis of arguably the WORST scifi movie of all time, Plan Nine from Outer Space? That would be a hoot to watch...
He hasn't, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was in his queue
Rise of Skywalker is by far the worst scifi movie.
I love Plan Nine From Outer Space. I mean it's a bad movie, but it's fun and I have a good time watching it.
@@AnAverageGoblin Yeah, no. It could be bad. It could be *very* bad. But there's no way it's the WORST. Not while the Sci-Fi Channel Original Movies exist, along with practically anything with 'Roger Corman presents' attached to it.
Now, those are good fun. But they're terrible movies.
I love this channel!
This movie has a deal effect on me as I grew up in the 60's the height of the Cold War. So much, in fact, that due to the catastrophic nature of the new nuclear genesis, I pursued the peaceful use of the atom & pursued a career in nuclear power after a stint in th Navy on a Ballistic Missile submarine as a Reactor Operator. This movie really made an impact on me & I'm glad it did. The morale of the movie was studdering, "join us and prosper or pursue your current course of action and face obliteration" are words that still hold their value today! Klatu can be thought of as a prophet, one we could use today and with the development of A.I., we may be closer to a Gort than we all think?
We need a Klaatu now.
How did the movie end. Did the ship leave. Did it leave the woman with her boy?
In nearly every scene where Michael Rennie shares the screen, he towers over the other actor(s).
Yes, he was 6'-3".
@@TheDejael : What I meant was that he towered over the other actors because of the intentionally manipulated camera angles. It was a subliminal effect used by the director.
An excellent review!
How did Gort get from the park to the jail without being seen and causing a huge commotion?
He wore a fake beard, & sun glasses.
He he!
Excellent explication of the important film- especially currently!
The tom character is very real. There is someone like him in every generation. Even today.
Even today. Someone like him is our chief medical officer.
This was the best si fiction film ever made It has a message to it along with entertaining us.
One of the essential movies to see. It's also obvious the press hasn't changed.
At 2:46 the soldier did what any soldier would have done. Before he takes his helmet off showing that he looks like a human being and before saying a word, he takes out something that could be a weapon and points it at the soldiers. I think this is one of the biggest mistakes they made in this movie.
One of the best movies ever made. Direction, story, acting, soundtrack, it's got it all. I only have one slight difficulty with the storyline. When Gort rescues a dead Klaatu from the jail cell, how could they remain unnoticed by anyone? Seems a heightened public awareness, a police force on alert and the army might see a rather large robot carrying a body around town.
This is an an easy answer to your question. Not only do aliens have the technology to do as they please, they also have powers that man does not. We never did see Klaatu leave the hospital did we, As well, we saw a glimpse of his power by opening Professor Barnhart door. We only know that he has power to unlock doors and to walk out unnoticed. So does Gort, he can do things that we cannot do although they did not show us the details of how they do things, they just do. Just like the machine that Gort placed Klaatu on, to bring him back to life. They just tried to keep it as simple as they can, to tell their story, use your imagination, I used mine. This movie was an ingenious story that told us that we need to behave or, we will be destroyed. Remember what Klaatu said we have the power to put nuclear power into space ships, by doing that we are a threat to other worlds, why, because of us, our hatred, death and destruction follows mankind, they do not want that in their world. I really don't blame them do you. Remember what Klaatu told the man from the cabinet from the president's table, you must think of us as your neighbors and we live in peace. Klaatu fulfilled his mission, and his goal, and he delivered the message, now it's up to us. This Is A Great Story, Even for our Day. Vladimir Putin is ready to go to war with Russia, Over Ukraine, the Chinese are ready to go to war over Taiwan, Iran is ready to go to war because of what Trump did, killing one of their generals. We are looking down the barrel of a gun, and if we don't be careful, it's all going to blow up in our face's, the whole world will be swept up into World War 3, a nuclear war, which Nobody can win.
@@DJRobbie54 Re-read what I wrote. Then re-read what you wrote. Not to be nasty, it seems obvious your "imagination brain" for watching movies has over-simplified what should be obvious. Imagination or speculation of alien "talents" may account for some things (left unstated and not shown) but not in the actual making of the movie.
Leaving the hospital (after chuckling about being locked in), or opening Professor Barnhart's locked door, shows superiority over minute things that humans perceive as daunting, OMG a locked door! Not a big deal, not a lot of time spent explaining his ease of access. Possible foreshadowing of future events, opening the viewer's mind to possibilities bit by bit. Lending credibility to making the earth "stand still".
Conversely, regenerating Klaatu was made out to be a big deal, lots of noise, eerie soundtrack and mysterious lighting. Purposely done, and done on a machine.
A big difference in the methods for publics' perception. There was never any inference about invisibility or magic time displacement techniques to afford Gort anonymity from jail cell to ship. This was conveniently avoided, merely smoothing over and, to me, creates a "but, wait, what?" moment in the movie because I notice things, it wasn't seemless to me. I find that a minor direction flaw. I also wouldn't know what else to insert into or between those scenes. Probably better left as is.
Now, don't get me wrong, it really is my favorite movie of all time. Thanks for the chat.
@@williammorgan5320 Your Welcome, Nicely Said. Thanks for the Feed Back.
This movie is a classic!
3:25 Clatu must be brought to a hospital to be treated for the gun shot, but the space ship has an amazing tool so technologically advanced that can bring people back from the dead, Gort would have carried Clatu back to the amazing tool and treat him there. 5:30 The UN was created in San Francisco, CA on October 24, 1945, The Day the Earth Stood Still was released in 1951, world leaders refused to attend this meeting because it's not being held in a place of their preference. Don't get me wrong I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! Because it showed to us the great chance that we had to compare two opposite economic systems, capitalism vs socialism, if only allowed to both flourish unhampered or unhindered by either one, with the winner take all.
War is downright stupid. Someone wants what someone else has and are willing to kill for it. In this great movie, the message is that nobody will win if we use nuclear weapons against each other. What a great movie with great actors, esp. Riene and little Billy Gray.
How did Gort get from the park to the jail to pick up Klatu's body without causing a huge disturbance enroute from people and the military who would obviously see him?
I’m glad the movie clip was included in”Strange New Worlds.”
As much as I like invasion of the body snatchers and forbidden world, this movie is the most forward thinking of the three.
Great review.
I was waiting for the narrator (who did an excellent job of analyzing the film) to point out that, when Klaatu goes "undercover" at the boarding house, he chooses the pseudonym "Carpenter": the profession of Jesus.
Thank god! its the Fifties Version not the more "Modern" I know Kung fu one....
And that's before you get into the horror of what happens when you fire a globe-spanning EMP. Life support and rotting food in the fridge are just the start...
To be fair, if you were told to cast a stoic character, Keanu makes sense on paper. Unless you're just criticizing the remake in general. I just feel like Reeves gets too much hate.
@@MasterDecoy1W As far as Keanu, no but the "Organic" tech crap always rubs me the wrong way.
I hhave always wondered why Michael Rennie ( sp.) had such a spotty career
I agree. He certainly seemed to fulfill the requirements for a top leading man at that time. From his performance in this flick, you'd think he could handle work in other genres just as adeptly.
This is one of my Favorite movies....Would Love to see this Colorized......We've eliminated "systemic racism" despite the progressivists lies of today....We now need to look to the Future and work to unify people without threat or intimidation also better ourselves and implementing more Freedoms and remove oppressive agendas individuals in positions of leadership.....LEAD BY EXAMPLE.....
Huh?
An incredible movie that is still relevant today,especially if we look at the past 2 years and the paranoia and fear that was generated by the media about covid,if we look at this movie in a spiritual light and see that we are not alone in the universe,that what we do can affect other planets and dimensions it takes on a whole different perspective.
So show..it again google..with out your corsirship..or cut outs..now.
Love ❤️ I have this classic sy fy movie 😍😍😍😍😍
Thanks!
KLAATU BORADA NIKTO!
One thing that this commentator did not mention that is a vital part of the story as a plot, is that this movie was an allegory based on the story of Christ.
Thus it is a modern update to the Biblical story of the Galilean Messiah. There are many parallels found in this movie that appear obvious. I discussed this with Robert Wise when I met him at a film convention in 1982. He admitted it was, and that was the story's moral strength. He said the others involved in the 1951 production had discussed it with him also, including the producers and screenwriters, and the principal actors.
I call this movie "The Gospel According to Klaatu" where Klaatu = Christ. He is an emissary sent to save the world from certain destruction, and Gort is an "angel" of the highest order, since Gort has been given awesome powers. The benevolent Klaatu wields unbelievable power, although later we see that his race has given that power to a race of giant militant police robots. We also see the other characters - Helen Benson is Mary Magdalene, Tom is Judas, the military are the Romans and other high officials in Jerusalem, and so on. One interesting plot detail is that Klaatu takes on the secret identity of "Mr. Carpenter" when we know from the Bible story that Jesus was a carpenter by trade. Also on the "borrowed" briefcase, we see the initials "L.M.C." which is the name of the person Klaatu has "borrowed" the case from, but it could also mean "Lord and Master Christ". Interesting plot details abound, such as when Klaatu is shot in the street, he stretches his arms out as if he is being put on a cross, and then Helen comes to witness his death, and he puts her on a special mission to Gort with those three famous alien words. Gort rampages across the city to recover Klaatu's body from the "tomb" by "rolling away the stone" by his powerful ray beam, and then Klaatu's resurrection scene in the saucer show us that he is more than a mere mortal being. We then see Klaatu's "Sermon on the Spaceship" which is very much in poetic tone like Christ's "Sermon on the Mount", and then Klaatu is taken away to Heaven, as Christ ascends to Heaven in scripture.
An inspiring viewpoint on this excellent classic film.
Also, Bernard Herrmann elevates the mundane look of the film into the stratosphere with his excellent music score with two Theremins played for eerie dramatic effect.
Today you'd just plug the bot into Twitter and then watch it self destruct. :D
After all these years, still a great move.....less is more
The beauty of this film is it is still revelent today. The remake palls in comparison . With the tension between us and Russia and China hanging over our heads, this film is more real than sci-fi. Today, we know UFOs are real because for the first time, our military is admitting it. Who's to say that they will not intervene at some point. They've been here since before humans and even the Bible speaks of them. So, the future of our planet might also affect them also. Sightings increased all through the late 40s ,50s up to now. Sci-fi has often become reality in the past. This is no different.
It is a great movie I totally agree 100% stupid is the most annoying thing about people who don’t get it and today we seem to be surrounded by stupid!
While this was an excellent movie, those who haven't should read the short story on which the film was based, "Farewell to the Masters" by Harry Bates.
The ending has a plot twist definitely more intriguing than the movie treatment, and would fit right in with the best of "The Twilight Zone", or "The Outer Limits".
The film was changed with the idea that such an ending as in the story might offend the religious sensibilities of many Americans!
Did poor old Hugh Marlow EVER get to play a sympathetic character? I don't think I ever saw him in one.
He played Ellery Queen once. He also had a steady gig in a soap opera thing towards the end of his career. That's about as close as he ever came. He did play wormy dudes in other stuff though.
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.
Can't find part 2 of the funny version.
Very informative. The themes of this film expresses the degradation of society today. And god help us. Please reply.