The Day the Earth Stood Still

A great Sci Fi flick from 1951 that carries a very deep message. Granted the props are hokie compared to today's standard, and the space suits pretty amateurish, but the script is excellent, and the theme contemporary.

I am not a religious nut, nor do I prescribe to the fundamentalist assault on our civil liberties, but this movie certainly carries a theocratic religious message which should be universally accepted. War and fighting among earth's nations will surely cause havoc among the planets of the universe and man must stop its mad race to destruction or leaders of the universe will do it for you.

Michael Rennie plays the role of a messenger from another world who gently, and with humbleness, attempts to convince the scientists of the world they must become active to carry the message to the world leaders of impending doom unless they change world policy on armament and war. The character portrayed by Rennie is tall, gentle, intelligent, soothing, yet firm. Who does he represent? Why Christ of course.

His speech, nature, demeanor, and message are all symbolic of a greater power coming back to earth to warn the people what might befall them unless they change their mad march toward destruction. This character is named appropriately, Mr. "Carpenter" (get the message) and even gets killed by soldiers bent on destroying this evil force from outer space. Mr Carpenter will even rise from the dead with assistance from his beloved robot assistant.

A great movie that will only get more popular with age. Certainly one of the best Sci Fi classics of all times.