The Day the Earth Stood Still - A Movie Review

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A flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C. and is quickly surrounded by the Army. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) emerges from the space ship and says that he comes "in peace and with good will". He presents a small device and is shot and wounded. Gort (Lock Martin), a tall robot, comes out of the spaceship and disintegrates all weapons. Klaatu orders him to stop and says that the device was a gift for the President which would have allowed him "to study life on the other planets". Klaatu, who looks like a human, is taken to a military hospital and heals very quickly. In the meantime the military tries to enter the ship but cannot. Gort stands guard, not moving. Klaatu tells the President's Secretary, Mr. Harley (Frank Conroy), that he has a message that must be delivered to all world leaders at the same time. Harley tells him that could never happen. Klaatu wants to go out and speak to the people; but Harley forbids it and keeps him locked up. Klaatu escapes and takes a room at a boarding house under the name of Mr. Carpenter. Bobby Benson (Billy Gray) lives in the boarding house and Klaatu befriends him. He asks him who is the greatest person in the world. They go to Professor Jacob Barnhardt's (Sam Jaffe) home, since this was Billy's suggestion; but he is not home. Klaatu leaves a calling card...He adds a key mathematical equation to the advanced problem on the Professor's blackboard which he is sure that the Professor will find astounding. What happens from this point forward you will have to find out for yourself! Klaatu does say those famous words: "Klaatu barada nikto". But for what reason? And of what importance is the title of the movie? The movie had mostly favorable reviews and is one of the all-time classic science fiction movies. It's a must-see if you are a sci-fi fan. This black-and-white movie was released in 1951 and is rated G. Photo Credit: Pixabay