The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Directed by Robert Wise; Julian Blaustein

A spacecraft from another planet lands in the middle of Washington D.C. The occupant, Klaatu (Michael Rennie), seeks a meeting with all of Earth’s leaders, stating that the world’s future depends upon it. Refused this meeting, Klaatu takes on the guise of a human, to learn more about Earth’s people. He is not ignorant, however, that many, especially those in power, view him as a threat, and may silence him before he can deliver his important message.

One of the earliest of science fiction movies remains one of the best. The Day the Earth Stood Still is not about invasion, wholesale destruction and incomprehensible aliens (1953’s The War of the Worlds admirably handles that aspect of the genre), but about the menace that we humans bring to the universe and how it may rebound on us. It is less about how aliens dislike us and more about how we’ve shown ourselves unworthy of their trust.

Rennie was perfectly cast. The role calls for him to be both superior and understanding, which is not easy to accomplish, but also to be annoyed when humans try his patience too far. He tries reasoning with people at first, and ends in warning them like a parent with children who are a danger to themselves. This is a wide range of personality to convey, but Rennie does it.

Sam Jaffe adequately plays a leading scientist who, when confronted with the alien responds with fascination and curiosity. Patricia Neal has a major part but without much meat to it. Billy Gray, who plays her son, handles his significant contribution very well.

The writing seems unimpressive, only because the story is a quiet, unassuming tale, rather than one laden with big scenes and self-consciously memorable dialogue. What Rennie demonstrates in the character of Klaatu is given him by the writers. Perhaps the most effective part of the script is the growth of menace - not of the alien to Earth but of Earth to the alien.

Robert Wise, who directed such diverse works as The Haunting, The Sound of Music and Run Silent, Run Deep shows his talents here. Whether depicting Klaatu diffidently interacting with ordinary humans in a boarding house, or laying down the law to important dignitaries; demonstrating the unspoken curiosity and fear in a little boy, or conveying the impassive threat of a faceless robot, each scene tells the viewer exactly what Wise wants him to know.

Other aspects of The Day the Earth Stood Still stand out. Some have noted the analogy in the story to Jesus Christ (the otherworldly emissary preaching peace and co-operation - or the alternative; the all-powerful being behind him; death and resurrection). The movie is the earliest instance I have seen of the long-faced, tall actor being cast as someone spiritual; further examples are Robert Powell’s title rôle in Jesus of Nazareth, and the actors who were cast as elves in The Lord of The Rings. And the set inside Klaatu’s spaceship should not be discounted: using only lights, it conveys both a futuristic and an alien technology that doesn’t date as do many examples of imaginary technology in later science fiction films.

If one is looking for the fantasy of Star Wars or the horror of Alien, the viewer will be disappointed here. If one wants a thoughtful movie with a decent script, fine acting and excellent directing, The Day the Earth Stood Still would be the choice to make.