The Day the Earth Stood Still

When I first purchased this film, I found it boring; thinking it evolved around nothing but news reports on TV. So I sent it back to Amazon. After I did, this voice inside me begged me to repurchase it and look at it further. I did it and it clicked! I totally love, love, love this movie! Nothing short of adventurous! Nothing short of charming! Nothing short of special! It even contains childhood innocence; stemming from the lovely character of Bobby Benson; played perfectly by Billy Gray. The music is nothing short of unique and marvelous. Every scene is a grasping adventure! What a way to start the 50's! Check this film out! You'll love it!

FORMAT: Blu-Ray UPC: 0-24543-55466-0 RELEASED: 2008-12-02TITLE: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) • G • 1:32:11 Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe Robert Wise (Director) The ORIGINAL thinking-man's science fiction movie. Those of you that have seen it KNOW what I'm talking about (and can skip my rather long-winded musings and go directly to the "VIDEO" and "AUDIO" portion of this review). For the rest of you: please, read on. If you are one of those people who was raised on the action-oriented, extremely loud, special-effects driven, "sci-fi" movies of the last twenty, or so, years (hey, I ain't hatin', I liked most of them too), AND you have yet to see this movie, then probably EVERYTHING that you see and hear ABOUT it will make it seem like another potentially huge waste of time — a waste of time, that the old-timers (like your mom and dad), for reasons known only to them, are always ranting and raving about how YOU should drop everything and watch it NOW, because of how great THEY think it is. Yes, it is a black-and-white movie from the fifties (the poodle skirt wearing, tail-finned car driving, pipe-smoking father-knows-best NINETEEN-FIFTIES(!!!), for heaven's sake). Yes, the special-effects are dated, and, in some cases, even kinda cheesy looking. And, yes, it does star a bunch of people that you have probably NEVER heard of. However, every "serious" science fiction aficionado (i.e.—someone who READS science fiction, as well as, WATCHES it) that I have EVER met LOVES this movie. Heck, every self-professed non-sci-fi person (young or old) that I've ever corralled into watching this movie, has — at the VERY least — liked it (and usually LOVED it). The main reasons being: that it is very well written, it is very well directed, it has very good acting, and (for its day) it has high production values (In fact, this movie (along with " The Thing from Another World " [commonly known as The "original" Thing]) were the first "modern" science fiction movies that were released by a major studio [Fox for this movie and RKO for "The Thing" — also, because of their HUGE popularity, they helped to quickly usher in the 1950's science fiction "craze"]). Also, its main plot points, regarding paranoia and fear, are still VERY relevant today. I think, if you keep an open mind (and focus on the message of the film) while watching it, that you will be VERY pleasantly surprised at how much you actually like this movie — plus, you'll finally know what the old-timers are talking about when they say things like "Gort! Klaatu barada nicto!" around you. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. See the other reviews for more detail and/or other opinions regarding the plot of the movie.VIDEO: 1.37:1 • B&W • 1080p • MPEG-4 AVC (35.3 Mbps) Fox Home Video is to be commended for its first-rate results in the re-mastering of this classic 1950's sci-fi gem. Because, this transfer exhibits very-good to frequently excellent picture quality — due, I'm sure, to its MUCH higher than average bit-rate (particularly for an "old", 4:3, B&W, movie). Another reason for the commendation is, that there were virtually NO artifacts such as black specks, white dots, hair-lines or dropped frames (though there was some weird fluttering for a few frames starting at approximately 1:10:50 into the movie, which is very likely because of the source elements used). In addition, sharpness and detail (except for some rather obvious stock footage, and some (probably) second-unit outdoor shots) are usually EXCELLENT throughout most of the film — with the textures of hair-styles, clothing and furnishings being readily apparent and natural looking. (In fact, the sharpness in this version is so good that, for the first time ever, in my 18 or 19 viewings of this movie, I could CLEARLY see black support wires holding Patricia Neal as Gort carried her into the spaceship!) Also, contrast and gray scale are VERY good overall, and in the outdoor daytime scenes, and in most of the well-lit indoor scenes, even excellent; however, there is almost NO shadow detail (and LOTS of black crush) in nearly all of the outdoor nighttime scenes (which, given the age of the film, is acceptable [at least, to me]). The only major issue that I find with this restoration and transfer of the film is that, it is SO GOOD that you see just how BAD and dated most of the special-effects are in the movie — which, all things considered, is a very nice "problem" to have. Overall, this movie's presentation on blu-ray has VERY good picture quality, and should satisfy all but the VERY pickiest of viewers.AUDIO: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) Fox Home Video has also done extensive clean-up work, and a 5.1 re-mix, on the film's soundtrack. First-off, the good news is that there are no loud bumps nor objectionably high levels of hiss to be found anywhere. In addition, the dialog is very clear and all voices are easily understood — however, dynamic range is quite limited, and there isn't very much bottom-end nor any top-end to speak of (which makes the few sound effects contained in the movie seem a little harsh and constrained). Finally, although the soundtrack has been redone as a "5.1" re-mix, it is still essentially a MONOPHONIC soundtrack; yes, there is music (surprisingly good sounding music, considering its age) in the surrounds — but there is VERY little else there (aside from VERY infrequent crowd-noises and RARE environmental street-sounds). Overall, considering the age of the source elements and the fact that this is (despite proclamations to the contrary) still a monophonic, dialog-driven, movie from the early 1950's, its soundtrack has more than acceptable sound quality.EXTRAS: Director's commentary Commentary by several Film and Music Historians Several 'Making Of' videos Several Featurettes Newsreel Interactive Games Trailers None of the extras were reviewed.

When I look back over my life, I remember not hearing the name of Michael Rennie until the Rocky Horror Picture show that came out in the 1970's. His name was used in the opening lyrics of the opening song of that movie. Even back then I had wondered what ever happened to the old film "The Day The Earth Stood Still".The story line of this movie is simple: Klatu comes from a far away Galaxy to bring a message to this world to abandone all violence and pursue the pathway of peace and love or be destoyed by its neighboring worlds forming a galactic community of peace. He is first greeted by being shot by a U.S. soilder after exiting his space craft. He then escapes the military hospital, where he is kept under close guard; only to mingle with the earthlings and learn of their ways before reporting back to those who sent him for a judgement over this earth. He finally meets the world's top scientist, Professor Bernhardt, where he is asked by Bernhardt to perform a demonstration to the world that will convince everyone we must either stop our violence or be utterly destroyed by the community of planets Klatu represents. Klatu comes complete with his own military power in a single robot named "Gort" which has the power to selectively destroy objects while sparing human flesh of total disintegration. Gort also has the power to destroy the entire planet if need be, we learn.The property work done to create the space ship seen in this film is very well done, but what really carries this film is not the limited special effects, but the story. Even though the film is in black and white, the lighting and cinematography in this work is marvelous to say the least. The only orchestral sound effect used that adds a "creepiness" to the feel of the film is the use of a bow on a saw blade. This was before synthesizers and digital sound were created; so given the limitations of what was available, allot had to be done to focus on a good story to drive home the product. I remember seeing a fellow demonstrate the use of a bow on a sawblade when I was much younger which is how I can tell the sound was created in the opening music of the film as the picture starts from outer space, while slowly focusing in on the earth, as a suggestion we are following Klatu's journey toward the earth while the opening credits being.While I was born 11 years after the end of World War II, This film is literally a post World War II peace keeping tool with a powerful message behind it, although it certainly doesn't use a Gandi type approach to solving world peace. This film is great for the whole family however, including little children: It is also a good topic parents can use for discussion to help their children think when it comes to dealing with the violence and evil this world is subject to. The only real violent scenes are when two military gaurds are totally disintegrated by Gort's light beem and when the military shoot down Klatu while running from the military police to reach a meeting of scientists to give his message. Even this violent act is redeemed when Gort comes for Klatu's body, takes him to the space ship and restores full life to Klatu's body as a form of resurrection.While we all dream for either God or a messenger from space coming to knock some sense into this violent ridden planet of ours, so as to teach us we are one fragile small world, the truth is, the burden of making this world work is our own, which this film teaches in its final message. This story teaches without being preachy, while asking the viewer in the end "what outcome will you choose for your world?". The only controversy for discussion with the story premise is that violence is being offered by the worlds Klatu represents, if this world does not turn from its own violence: Kind of like "There is always a greater bully to bully the bully" concept. On one side of the argument, you get a post Nazi dictatorial approach to solving world peace, which the world had just come out of in 1951 with the story line of this film. This would suggest the Universe is as violent as George Lucus's Star Wars. However, on the other side, you can't help but wonder if the report Klatu will make to his superiors, in the end, will avert the use of destructive force on the earth to get it to depart from its own violent ways. It is an interesting paradox for study and would have made for a good sequel to this original film.Regardless, it's great now to have this old 1951 classic gracing my library these days in DVD format. It never gets old to watch, nor the message of peace it tries to deliver to a post WWII generation, which is my generation.Disk quality and cover were excellent! No complaints. Good purchase price for the quality. Thanks for offering it on Amazon!

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DVD arrived 12 days early. We have progressed technologically from wheel cover shaped flying saucers but this title is still a must for your Classic Sci-Fi collection. This movie even rates a mention in Rocky Horror.

Schnell geliefert und in Topzustand - warum kaufen nicht mehr Leute gebraucht? Der zeitlose Sci-Fi-Klassiker in HD. Tonnenweise Bonusmaterial, zwei Daumen hoch!

Opinión de Day The Earth Stood Still The BD [Reino Unido] [Blu-ray] con ASIN: B001GPTCDELa edición bluray del Reino Unido de "Ultimátum a la Tierra" (de 1951) tiene audio castellano y subtítulos en español en los extras.¡Un saludo! Espero que os sea de utilidad mi comentario.

Un grande classico di fantascienza, contro la guerra e contro la violenza. Il messaggio (l'ultimatum) che Klaatu porta alla Terra e' pesante, ma il significato e' ancora piu' terrificante: la sua razza ha dovuto costruire degli automi che hanno pieno potere su di loro, e che agiscono, anche seriamente, se qualcuno commette qualcosa di violento, se uccide qualcuno. Sono arrivati a rinunciare a parte del loro libero arbitrio, per vivere in pace. Cosa che Klaatu spera che non succeda con la Terra, che abbia ancora un briciolo di coscienza e di amor proprio in modo da riuscire a raddrizzare il tiro prima che sia troppo tardi. purtroppo si deve ricredere, l'umanita' e' violenta, e non ha remore di prendersela con lui, nonostante si sia mostrato piu' volte come pacifico.Migliore anni luce del remake con il pur sempre bravo Keanu Reeves e la brava e bella Jennifer Connelly: per lo meno qui c'e' il robot Gort (chiamato veramente cosi', e non soprannominato dagli umani usando un acronimo) che, personalmente, mi fa piu' paura di quello gigantesco, composto da miliardi di naniti che invece e' nel remake!troviamo molto materiale extra, tra cui documentari e "featurette" d'epoca, interviste dei "giorni d'oggi", e un paio di giochi interattivi (uno in cui si tenta di suonare il tema del film con il Theremin, e l'altro in cui si impersona Gort, disintegrando gli umani che cercano di attaccarlo - abbastanza ingiocabile usando il telecomando del blu ray).note tecniche: ho comprato il Blu Ray in inglese perche', pure se personalizzato per il mercato UK, contiene comunque un disco stampato per tutto il globo terracqueo, con audio e sottotitoli per tutto il mondo o quasi (la stampa italiana e' fuori produzione).Il restauro e la digitalizzazione sono fatti allo stato dell'arte: immagine quasi cinematografica (e' visibile la grana della pellicola), e mostra anche piccoli particolari, che forse si notavano di meno sul precedente restauro per DVD (pur sempre valido). Il comparto audio non e' male, con audio 5.1 (in luogo del vecchio mono del DVD) che pero' spesso mostra troppa differenza con i dialoghi (desunti dalla vecchia colonna italiana monofonica dell'epoca, limitata in bassa e in alta frequenza, pur se ben ripuliti e poco "nasali", come invece succede nelle digitalizzazioni di pellicole monofoniche dell'epoca) e la colonna Musica e Effetti, troppo "pulita" e con dinamica nettamente superiore a quella della colonna dialoghi, che ogni tanto porta ad abbassare il volume quando finiscono di parlare ed entra la (fantastica) musica (suonata con il mitico Theremin, uno strumento elettronico, forse il primo, che si suona senza contatto). Comunque, la resa e' dignitosa, e, trattandosi di un doppiaggio d'epoca (con l'indimenticato e bravissimo Emilio Cigoli a doppiare l'alieno Klaatu - l'immenso Michael Rennie, qua in uno dei suoi primissimi ruoli - e l'altrettanto bravo Lauro Gazzolo a doppiare il professor Barnhardt) il risultato e' tutto sommato decente.non dovrebbe mai mancare in una collezione che si rispetti!!!

Enjoyed this movie. Was impressed with the inside of the ship set.