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The Day the Earth Stood Still

  • 19511951
  • GG
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
81K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,024
117
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Watch the trailer for the sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Play trailer1:08
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi

An alien lands in Washington, D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.An alien lands in Washington, D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.An alien lands in Washington, D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
81K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,024
117
  • Director
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Edmund H. North(screen play)
    • Harry Bates(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Michael Rennie
    • Patricia Neal
    • Hugh Marlowe
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Edmund H. North(screen play)
    • Harry Bates(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Michael Rennie
    • Patricia Neal
    • Hugh Marlowe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 460User reviews
    • 147Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Day the Earth Stood Still: Trailer
    Trailer 1:08
    The Day the Earth Stood Still: Trailer

    Photos194

    Lock Martin, Patricia Neal, and Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    Lock Martin and Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    Lock Martin and Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    Lock Martin, Patricia Neal, and Michael Rennie in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    "The Day the Earth Stood Still" Patricia Neal & Michael Rennie 1951 20th
    "The Day the Earth Stood Still" Michael Rennie, Hugh Marlowe, & Patricia Neal 1951 20th
    "The Day the Earth Stood Still" Hugh Marlowe, Patricia Neal & Michael Rennie 1951 20th
    The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
    The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Rennie
    Michael Rennie
    • Klaatuas Klaatu
    Patricia Neal
    Patricia Neal
    • Helen Bensonas Helen Benson
    Hugh Marlowe
    Hugh Marlowe
    • Tom Stevensas Tom Stevens
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Professor Jacob Barnhardtas Professor Jacob Barnhardt
    Billy Gray
    Billy Gray
    • Bobby Bensonas Bobby Benson
    Frances Bavier
    Frances Bavier
    • Mrs. Barleyas Mrs. Barley
    Lock Martin
    • Gortas Gort
    Patrick Aherne
    • General at Pentagonas General at Pentagon
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Bacon
    • Sightseer at Spaceshipas Sightseer at Spaceship
    • (uncredited)
    Rama Bai
    Rama Bai
    • Scientific Delegateas Scientific Delegate
    • (uncredited)
    Oscar Blank
    • Peddleras Peddler
    • (uncredited)
    Marshall Bradford
    • Chief of Staffas Chief of Staff
    • (uncredited)
    Chet Brandenburg
    Chet Brandenburg
    • Farmeras Farmer
    • (uncredited)
    John Brown
    • George Barleyas George Barley
    • (uncredited)
    John Burton
    • British Radio Announceras British Radio Announcer
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Capanna
    • Sentryas Sentry
    • (uncredited)
    Wheaton Chambers
    • Mr. Bleekeras Mr. Bleeker
    • (uncredited)
    Spencer Chan
    Spencer Chan
    • Scientific Delegateas Scientific Delegate
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Edmund H. North(screen play)
      • Harry Bates(based on a story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Travelling with mind-boggling speed, a gleaming unidentified flying object zooming in from the boundless deep space, penetrates the Earth's atmosphere, landing smoothly in Cold War-Washington, D.C. Encircled by large yet feeble military forces, the peaceful intergalactic ambassador, Klaatu, emerges from the mysterious vessel accompanied by the silently dangerous robot of incomprehensible power, Gort, only to witness firsthand the earthlings' hospitality. The sophisticated humanoid declares that he comes in peace; however, he needs to assemble the world's greatest minds to hear his merciful warning and a definitive ultimatum. Is Klaatu the messenger of humanity's doom? —Nick Riganas
    • robot
    • alien contact
    • lincoln memorial
    • cold war era
    • washington d.c.
    • 155 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A robot and a man . . . hold the world spellbound with new and startling powers from another planet!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Lock Martin, the doorman at Grauman's Chinese Theater, was cast because of his nearly seven-foot height. However, he was not a physically strong man and could not actually carry Patricia Neal, and so had to be aided by wires (in shots from the back where he's carrying her, it's actually a lightweight dummy in his arms). He also had difficulty with the heavy Gort suit and could only stay in it for about a half hour at a time.
    • Goofs
      Klaatu arranges to have the electromagnetic fields neutralized from 12.00 pm to 12:30 pm EST, yet it is clearly broad daylight in every country in which people are struggling with inoperative devices. In Asia and the Middle East, it should've been nightfall during this time frame.
    • Quotes

      Reporter: I suppose you are just as scared as the rest of us.

      Klaatu: In a different way, perhaps. I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason.

    • Crazy credits
      Elmer Davis, H.V. Kaltenborn, and Drew Pearson identify themselves when they appear on screen. Radio personality Gabriel Heatter is identified by an announcer.
    • Connections
      Edited into 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)

    User reviews460

    Review
    Top review
    Excellent - Deeper Than You Think!
    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.
    helpful•18
    7
    • lgkinney-1
    • Mar 8, 2003

    FAQ8

    • What is 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' about?
    • Is 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' based on a book?
    • From what planet did Klaatu originate?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 20, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Hindi
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Farewell to the Master
    • Filming locations
      • The Ellipse, National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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