The Day The Earth Stood Still (DVD)

Despite being made in the 1950s the quality of the photography overcomes what can only be described as pre-historic SFX capability of the times. The setting is Washington during post war tensions between the USA & USSR a theme which is made apparent in the movie. Michael Rennie is wholly convincing as the Alien being of superior moral values sent to convince the people of Earth to stop spreading their internal planetary conflicts.The Aliens fear that our wars may not be contained on Earth. The alien planetary union have created a all powerful robot army to police their Planets. Their awesome power can reduce Earth to ashes. Klaatu arrives in Peace but immediately the fear-ridden yanks can not help themselves and shoot him. Automatically the robot Gort takes action.Klaatu still concious tells Gort to stop and the drama unfolds. Klaatu surprisingly recovers speedily from the gun shot wound and escapes the Military Hospital. Being disappointed with the multi national political response to his invitation to talk, he needed to see for himself whether the Human race was worth salvaging and so takes up residence in a rented room living amongst ordinary suburban people. There he befriends a young boy and his mother. The boy is quite intelligent and shows Klaatu the monuments of Washington and Arlington Cemetery where the boys father was laid to rest.
Klaatu decides to try another tack, to contact the intellects of the planet and give them the altimatum. The boy knows of Professor Barnard who would have the respect and capabitiy to assemble the worlds great intellects without the hurdle of international politics to overcome.
Right thats enough - see the film for yourselves.

FOR A 1950,S "B MOVIE", THIS FILM IS ALTHOUGH OLD HAT EFFECTS ETC, IS STILL WORTH A WATCH AND WOULD COME UNDER THE CLASSIC MOVIE TITLE. TODAYS VERSION IS A MILLION MILES AHEAD IN TERMS OF GRAPHICS AND CGI EFFECTS, BUT IS BORN ON THE BACK OF THIS EARLY VERSION. REAL NOSTALGIA HARKING BACK TO HUMBLE CHILDHOOD VIEWING AND CERTAINLY WORTH A WATCH IF YOU ARE INTO SCI-FI.

Whatever Film Keanu Reeves stars in, i don't know why but he always makes it a brilliant film. i watched this and thought it was fantastic, If you like the Matrix, you'l love this! good little twists & full of action, definately one to watch!!

It is a sci-fi classic, old movies at there best, yes it may be corny and have no cgi effects, but you don't watch these old movies for that stuff and anyway cgi is that simple for the film industry now it nice to see a film without it, be it old or new.

This is a fantastic watchable movie with both tension and excellent acting. You cant beat these old original movies.

bought it as a Mothers Day present, she always liked the film and can now see it whenever she likes....

A fantastic film.
The fears of the early 50's about little green men from mars and the threat of nuclear war brought together in one film with echos of religion. Don't think so? Well how about a spaceship that lands form another planet to warn about the expansion of the world, the 'alien' joins mankind (He is a 'Carpenter'), he has unexplained powers, who is killed by the authorities, comes back to life to give a message of hope!
All supported by a fantastic score.
Watch it and marvel!

What a great old film. Excellent quality DVD. Really enjoyed watching it. Cant wait for the next rainy day to put it on again.