The Day the Earth Stood Still

This film, shot at a time when there was an enormous ideological struggle at play in the world, captures not only the dangers we faced in the struggle but also the great dilemma that the world faced. Politicians are portrayed as, not only the force behind the risks, but as sincerely caught up in the great dilemmas of how they wanted to create a better world (which the remake ignored in favour of an almost 'conspiracy theory' level of portrayal). Klaatu was a character who saw our bickering as recklessness, but wanted to understand 'Why' we were reckless, as he had been born into a society where recklessness (but not personal freedom or personal affluence) had been discarded. It was a film about what it is to be human, but also a film that wanted us to be better than what we were and that is the problem; we destroy and kill, but we also create beauty, save lives and build a better world for our children. The film was intentionally ambiguous in many ways and the characters in the film reflect the attributes of all of us, without creating a didactic "them and us' mentality that so coloured the remake.

Very few films can actually wow people in this day and age...especially films from an old era. With that said, do not miss out!

As you have probably guessed from the title i like this film. Take into account it's black and white and has all the advanced computer effects of 1951. Having said this,the music,the script,the direction,the story,the silent power of the special effects are truly awesome. The entire film is held together not only by the magnificent 'what's going to happen next' story,the awesome wonder of the power of the special effects but also the 'splendidly wooden' Michael Rennie.If you don't believe he's an alien from a superior race then you're sadly lacking in enjoying Rennies finest moment as an actor.He was built for this role. All i can say is watch the first 5 minutes,if you're able to switch it off then it's not for you.Like metropolis before it and close encounters after it,a film that will never die.

This movie is brilliant, genius and exiting!! The acting is great, it is the movie of the year!!

I had never seen all the film as a child and thought what the hell i'll get it. Its great use you imagination without any mind blowing special effects. Well written and good acting for the day. A true Sci Fi

This has to be one of the greatest sci-fi classic films ever and as such totally deserves addition to anyone’s collection if not only to have but, in my case, watch repeatedly on my iPOD at work [ during breaks of course ! ] Lets hope the revised updated [ re-hashed because we can't write a descent script like this anymore ] Keanu Reeves version comes this close to achieving the genre standards this does. B & W but then regretfully Hollywood don't make them like this very often anymore in any format. 57 years old and still as amazing as the day it was released

An intruiging, thought-provoking movie that (even in the fifties) focused on the more destructive nature of humankind. The timing of the film, during the cold war, only serves to highlight the issues further. I first watched theis film one christmas, a few years ago, but downloaded it for the memories. With a remake starring Keanu Reeves just around the corner, it is well worth watching the original (especially for this price), just in case the remake messes it all up.

I first saw this movie as a child and even then realised that it was the only kind of it's genre in the early 50's that tackled the subject of just how destructive a race we are, so the galactic federation have sent down Klatuu and robot Gort to give us the message. Every other movie of the 50's dealing with UFO's and aliens gave us the complete opposite story. Kill everything and take over the Earth. This is an intelligent well made Sci-Fi tale.

they have a tank but they r useing there pistols :DDDD i havet watched it but looks ok

I just loved this film to bits, watched it twice when I rented on Itunes. I'm thinking of buying the dvd now. Sci-fi paranoia at its best!!!