The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

 

The 1950s were the golden age of science fiction. Not just because there was an overabundance of films in the genre, but because at that time, studios took the material seriously and often made some classics with a decent budget. It would soon devolve into B-fare again, until 'Star Wars' and 'Alien' reinvigorated the genre once more. 

This one is an absolute gem. There's a reason this one is hailed as one of the best out there. 

Directed by Robert Wise, 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' tells the tale of first contact as a large flying saucer circles the Earth and eventually lands in Washington DC. The alien that emerges, says he comes in peace but is immediately gunned down by one of the soldiers present. Thankfully, he survives and is brought to a hospital nearby, where he explains his name is Klaatu and he needs to talk to all the world leaders.

Naturally, humans don't get it and their petty squabbling and differences do little to impress Klaatu, as he can't fathom why humans won't just listen and always have to bicker and argue. 

For the message that Klaatu brings is that humanity needs to grow up fast or the planet will be destroyed. See, other planets in the galaxy didn't really care as long as humanity fought among themselves, but the advent of nuclear power and the consequent application of this to space travel does threaten the peace and stability in the galaxy and this will not be tolerated.

You can't blame the aliens. It's what the human race does so well.

However, Klaatu decides that politicians perhaps aren't the right people to meet, so he ventures out to learn more about humanity. He befriends a young boy and sees that there is still hope for the human race. He also manages to contact the best scientists in the world, because they might be the only ones to actually listen to him. But in order to make the rest of the world pay attention, he pulls a feat no one could have expected: he stops all electrically operated machinery across the globe for 30 minutes (except hospitals and other assorted essential pieces). 

The film ends with a simple yet clear speech for humanity: clean up your act, or prepare to be annihilated. 

So why is this film an absolute classic and still highly watchable today? It's the story, script and the acting. The latter is a lot less stilted than you would expect from a film that hails from the 1950s and with subtleties in the dialogue it nails the human condition to a T. It gets better every time you revisit it. There are standout scenes, like Klaatu's entrance, but especially the way he contacts the lead scientist is brilliant in its simplicity: he corrects an equation that the scientist is working on, as maths is a universal language. It is so understated yet so beautifully done, it feels like poetry. 

Michael Rennie is also the perfect casting for Klaatu, as the man has what one would refer to as a 'chiselled' face and he plays Klaatu with a nice combination of wonder and superiority. He knows he is above most humans, but he never acts arrogantly, only interested and just gets frustrated at what, in essence, petty squabbles (and he says so). And of course, who could forget the massive robot Gort? In its wonky movement, it exudes a threat that is really sinister, and his design is unique in its sleekness. Gort feels like an Italian racecar designer made a killer robot. It's great. 

Oh, and make sure you remember the "Klaatu barada nikto"-line. Obligatory viewing!