Ten Movies I'm Glad I Saw: The Day the Earth Stood Still (#6)

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Somehow the rain missed us and we got our weekly tournament in. I tied for second, thanks to one really good round. Speaking of really good, here's another movie on my list of critically-acclaimed films that I'm so happy I took a chance on. #6: The Day the Earth Stood Still Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still But he told us where we stand ("Science Fiction Double Feature" by Richard O'Brian, Rocky Horror Picture Show) I guess I should quickly add that I mean the original and not that long-on-special-effects, short-on-quality remake. This is one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever. Yes, the "spaceship" is obviously a pie plate turned upside down, but that is so easily forgivable considering everything else this movie has going for it. Set in the early days of the Cold War, a spaceship lands in Washington, and the occupant, Klaatu (Michael Rennie), appears to announce that the alliance he represents has come "in peace and with goodwill." He's immediately shot, so forgive him if he's a little suspicious. Ditto the "humans" when Gort appears. The massive robot, we learn later, is part of an intergalactic police force that wipes out aggression so that all the planets can live in peace. It may seem a little "hokey" now in some regards, but this film has stood the test of time. Sadly, its message, about how we have to stop senseless aggression before we destroy ourselves, is still a necessary one today...and one still falling on deaf ears. Klaatu barada nikto, indeed. The Day the Earth Stood Still Directed by Robert Wise Released in 1951 Klaatu's first appearance: