The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) - 8/10

I sometimes wonder, which films made now, will stand the test of time and attain classic status. Saturation of films and everything else feels like it might have stunted that possibility, or is it that a simple story no longer seems enough to hold an audience. Made in 1951, this certainly depicts a simpler time, as news spreads around the world of a UFO. People all over the world glued to their radios, wondering what it is, until it comes to land in Washington. Honestly if there is intelligent life out in space, it’d likely know better than to land in America… or anywhere at all these days. Which is the point of The Day the Earth Stood Still, it’s a warning to mankind. Stupid Americans though shoot first (and rarely think), which is how the alien visitor, Klaatu, the very human looking Michael Rennie winds up in hospital. Klaatu wants to convene a meeting with the world’s leaders, but finds himself thwarted by postwar politics, “my impatience is with stupidly”. The earthlings think they’re in control and can contain him. They aren’t and cannot. It’s very much of its time, but plays out beautifully with dramatically scored montages, as Klaatu escapes into society to explore. 1950s America was obsessed with the threat from space, the real war past, people were apparently looking for something else to be scared of and it’s this fever pitch tension that Klaatu observes with a dashing wry smile as the rest of the cast lose their tiny minds. Despite poking fun at human ineptitude, what makes this so great? Well for starters Rennie is magnificent as the cool, calm visitor. His depiction of reason from outer space is delivered with dignity and a gravitas that’s sorely needed on earth. Explaining to learned scientist, Dr Barnhardt (Sam Jaffe) that our discovery and implementation of atomic power is of concern to the galaxy, the stage is set for the leaders of Earth to make a decision. Peace for all… or destruction. Can they believe him though? With B-Movie flare it flexes a wonderfully dramatic tension and thats before we even get to Gort (Lock Martin) who despite being made of rubbery looking metal, is still one of the coolest looking robots in science fiction. So what does make this stand the test of time? A solid performance from Rennie yes, a cool robot check, but it’s the drama and tension brought about by a supporting cast we care about. The not quite love interest Helen (Patricia Neal) and her son, Bobby (Billy Gray), they’re the voice of reason and understanding amidst a maelstrom of rising threat and both are brilliant, albeit upstaged by Rennie. Any alien’s reading this, if you do want to pop over, don’t go to America, those dozy sods will get us all killed.

8/10