The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951, My Journey into Science Fiction Part 6.

Hello, and welcome to My Journey into Science Fiction Part 6. There is something wonderful about black and white science-fiction films, and The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951 is no exception. The movie was released by 20th Century Fox, directed by Robert Wise, written by Edmund H. North and produced by Julian Blaustein. the film was inspired by a short story called, Farewell to the Master, by Harry Bates. 

The movie begins, and there is an unidentified flying object entering Earth’s atmosphere. As the news breaks, we are introduced to different nationalities discussing the incident. I can’t speak for any other country, but I can assure you, not all English people sound so eloquent. However, that is the entertainment of these early films. They give you a sense of how small, or vast the World felt to people back then. As I watch the saucer fly through Washington, I can’t help but notice how relaxed people looked at such a phenomenon. No phones in their hands, no panic, just people living in the moment. Finally, the saucer opens and we meet Klaatu, Michael Rennie.  Klaatu has come to Earth to deliver an important message. Stood by his side is an eight-foot-tall Robot, called Gort. Klaatu also brings a gift, but when he tries to share that gift with the World, somebody shoots him. Gort then vaporizes all the weapons the army has in front of him. Klaatu finally gets to meet the Defense Secretary, as he lies in the local hospital injured. However, his plea to meet the leaders of all Earth’s nations is ignored. The Secretary explains that hostility in the current climate could not bring all the world leaders together. instead, Klaatu is locked up, and never seen again. Only joking, Klaatu simply leaves the heavily guarded hospital, and goes out into the World. Thankfully, his next experience with humanity is a pleasant exchange, as he decides the best place to understand the people of Earth is by staying at the local boarding house.

The breakfast scene in the boarding house is an interesting moment in the film. The movie delivers a great discussion, and it highlights the difference of opinion between the guests, as they all make their feelings clear about our alien visitors. I guess nothing has changed with society, as the people at the table are ready to attack the threat, before learning the truth first. It’s also a reminder of how much our current way of life has changed, as we have people smoking at the table, listening to the radio and enjoying good conversation. I enjoyed the commentator on the radio talking about trying to destroy the ship at Lincoln Memorial. I would like to discuss the role of Bobby Billy Gray and his mother Helen Patricia Neil. Bobby befriends Klaatu, and takes him to visit the local landmarks, and visit his father’s grave, who was killed in military action. I believe Klaatu learns a lot from young Bobby about life on Earth. Later, Bobby follows Klaatu back to his ship, and watches as Gort renders two soldiers unconscious. Fearing the worst, Bobby then reveals all to his Mother. However, Klaatu believes he can trust Helen, and explains the truth to her. 

There are elements in this story that I haven’t discussed, but I wanted to highlight the positive aspect of this story in Bobby and Helen. Helen’s boyfriend alerts the government that Klaatu is the alien they are looking for. Thankfully, Helen warns Klaatu, and the two escape. Klaatu asks Helen to remember some important words to say to Gort, should anything happen to him again, “Klaatu Barada Nikto”. It was a good thing he mentioned those words, as Klaatu is shot again, and killed this time. Helen approaches Gort and speaks those very words. Gort brings Klattu back to the saucer, and finally back to life. However, Klaatu’s revival is only temporary. I guess they did kill what they couldn’t understand. Klaatu leaves the saucer and delivers his speech to the World leaders. 

“I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more… profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.”

 

To be completely honest, to be controlled by a group of eight-foot robots doesn’t sound much fun to me. But the way our Planet is controlled by our Governments doesn’t fill me with much confidence either. I don’t want to get into the political issues of the story,  but the message is really quite simple. The greatest strength of this story comes from Helen and Bobby. How two people can forget their own fears, and do what they think is right far the greater good in life is beautiful.The Day the Earth Stood Still is a masterpiece of science fiction, and one that deserves all the praise it gets in the genre. Hopefully, one day, I can go back and give it the time and attention to detail that it deserves. However, I am only just learning how to write something as simple as this. But we can always learn, grow and try to be better as human beings. 

 

So, where does this lead me to next, in My Journey into Science Fiction Part 7? Since I decided to cover The Day the Earth Stood Still, I couldn’t help but think of the remake of this movie, starring Keanu Reeves. He also starred in a film that I have only watched once, and I realised it’s about time I revisited it. Next time, I will be watching, A Scanner Darkly written by Phillip K. Dick and Directed by Richard Linklater.

Thank you for visiting today, it really is appreciated. If you enjoyed this review, please leave me a like or comment below. Also, if you would like to follow my journey on this site, please subscribe for future posts.

My Journey into Science Fiction Archives.

My Projects.