Today’s quick review: The Day the Earth Stood Still. The world is stunned when Klaatu (Michael Rennie), a human-like alien, emerges from a spaceship in Washington, D.C. After failing to deliver an important message to the leaders of Earth, Klaatu escapes from military custody to see how humanity lives. Wandering the streets of Washington, Klaatu befriends Helen Benson (Patricia Neal), a young widow, and her son Bobby (Billy Gray).
The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic science fiction movie about an alien visitor who brings a dire warning for humanity. The film represents speculative fiction at its purest. Klaatu is a wise and peaceful alien who is met with hostility and suspicion when he lands on Earth. However, he finds the good in people when he meets the Bensons, resulting in a short but earnest friendship while Klaatu tries to get his message to the world.
The Day the Earth Stood Still asks a simple question: Is humanity ready for the future ahead of it? Nearly everything in the movie is geared towards answering that question, from the touchy response of the military to the range of reactions exhibited by ordinary people. The Day the Earth Stood Still handles its subject matter well, with cleanly drawn characters, a tense situation, and a careful examination of the best and worst of humans.
Still, The Day the Earth Stood Still has a few limitations, depending on what your expectations are. The special effects are fairly plain by modern standards, although they work well in context. The action is limited to a few key moments that are narratively appropriate. The story is short and to the point. And while the film offers hints about the world beyond our own, it only provides the information necessary for the plot.
Not everyone will appreciate what The Day the Earth Stood Still has to offer, but its vivid premise and crisp execution make it a classic of the genre. Give it a shot if you are interested in a philosophical story about an alien encounter without the usual distractions. Skip it if you are looking for raw spectacle or action.
For a classic movie that examines human society in a similar way, try Born Yesterday, The Bishop’s Wife, or Harvey. For a modern take on the same story, try The Day the Earth Stood Still, starring Keanu Reeves. For a family-friendly sci-fi adventure about a boy who befriends a visitor from outer space, try The Iron Giant or E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
[7.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043456/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a simple but iconic story.