An alien and a robot land on earth after World War II and tell mankind to be peaceful or face destruction. A classic science fiction film from Robert Wise with an exceptional message.
The Day The Earth Stood Still remains a stoic pillar of science-fiction. "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto". Four words that have transcended time and fortified a legacy for a film that would be deemed culturally significant. Wise's 1951 original classic progressed the sci-fi genre to incalculable lengths. Arguably one of the first mainstream films of its genre to acquire a larger budget than its B-movie counterparts and convey an ultimatum that becomes more relevant as time flutters by. While certain aspects may seem considerably outdated by today's standards, more so than other films during its decade of release, its core message is subservient to all those who watch this. A humanoid alien visitor arrives on Earth, accompanied by an impenetrable robotic guardian, in order to deliver an ultimatum that will determine the future of humanity.
A message that should be adhered to by all nations. Peace. Security. Relinquishing aggression. North's screenplay, based on Bates' "Farewell to the Master", hones in on its anti-violence moral and conveys this through artistic interpretations. Gort, the colossal robot, harnesses an overwhelming atomic beam that "acts automatically against the aggressor". Vaporising weapons and armies. Its existence is a symbol of dependability, allowing Klaatu and his race to breathe freely from aggression and war. The story acts as an analysis on high authority, stating that its power is only quantifiable by the police force that supports it. In this case, Klaatu is supported by Gort, and as result he lives in peace.
The plot also acts as a commentary for trigger-happy nations whose immediate retaliation is to resort to violence. Klaatu coming in peace and immediately succumbing to a bullet wound represents this, and that's all through Wise's visual subtext. The majority of the film only touches upon its anti-violent message through visual indications, a subtle yet intelligent way to secure the narrative's central focus amidst the glossy mystery involving residents of a boarding house.
The last five minutes unfortunately detract from Wise's subtlety, as Klaatu offers his ultimatum to humanity to which he ironically apologises for being so blunt. It comes across as heavy-handed in one final attempt to ensure audiences are aware of its central theme, despite Klaatu's speech being one of the most thought-provoking and memorable lines of dialogue ever. Whom of which is played meticulously by Rennie. His stoic posture and composure ensured that the character of Klaatu was the superior being. Neal also gave a noteworthy performance in what was one of her earlier feature film roles.
The most memorable aspect though, to which has absolutely stood the test of time, is the minimalistic design of Gort. Yes, clearly it's a man walking in an oversized metallic foam suit, but the ominous aura that it provides is strangely unsettling. Simple, yet provocative. Klaatu's space suit however, not so ingeniously designed. Loved Hermann's score also, as he confidently used theremins to exude an ethereal atmosphere. Cinematography delightful as well, cementing the high-level of praise I share for the technical elements to this production.
Much criticism has been received for the ambiguous ending, to which I would argue against. The fact that it remains unanswered only sparks more debate amongst audience members and leaves you wanting to answer it for yourself. And that is why this classic has acquired that status. It provides a metaphorical discussion on relevant issues supported by Wise's meticulous yet humanistic approach. That right there, is the perfect recipe for timelessness. Just refrain from watching the 2008 remake, please...
