Day The Earth Stood Still, The (Special Edition) (UK)

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From Out Of Space... A Warning And An Ultimatum
Certificate: U
Running Time: 88 mins
Retail Price: £15.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
A spacecraft lands in Washington D.C. and an alien emerges, flanked by a menacing robot with destructive capabilities far beyond anyone`s imagination. So begins the science-fiction thriller The Day The Earth Stood Still, a classic "atomic movie" from the 50s that would go on to inspire alien-invasion films for decades to come. Rebuffed in his efforts to meet the world`s leaders and warn them of the earth`s impending doom, the alien, Klaatu (Michael Rennie), takes to the streets.

Klaatu`s plea for peace is embraced by a pretty, young woman (Patricia Neal) and an eminent scientist (Sam Jaffe), but the rest of humanity reacts with mistrust, fear and violence. With time running out, Klaatu is forced to demonstrate his awesome powers in a mind-boggling display, teaching all of mankind a lesson for the ages. Watch The Day The Earth Stood Still and and you will never forget these words - "Klaatu barada nikto!"

Special Features:
Audio commentary with director Robert Wise

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English

Subtitle Tracks:
French
Italian
English
Spanish
German
Dutch

Directed By:
Robert Wise

Written By:


Starring:
Billy Gray
Sam Jaffe
Patricia Neal
Michael Rennie

Soundtrack By:
Bernard Herrmann

Director of Photography:
Leo Tover

Editor:
William Reynolds

Costume Designer:
Travilla
Perkins Bailey

Producer:
Julian Blaustein

Your Opinions and Comments

8 / 10
"Note! this review is based on the Region 1 version not the Region 2 Release"

Tech Specs:
Region 1
1 Disc (flipper)
Stereo Sound
THX Remastered

Robert Wise`s 1951 Sci Fi Masterpiece gets a new lease of life on DVD, avoid the useless R2 release and get hold of a R1 Extra Feature packed Edition.

The Film:
A Golden Globe Winner on release, this film remains a timeless classic Sci Fi yarn embedded in realistic 1950`s pop culture, solid acting and attention to detail ensures the films message of peace remains with the viewer for a long time after viewing the end credit appears on the screen.

Image:
Restored, cleaned and given polish the visuals shine like its a new print despite its age, some break-up is present in some scenes but its minimal, presented in its original 1:33:1 Full Frame aspect you probably won`t see a sharper or cleaner Black and White transfer on DVD, there is no Widescreen version of this movie, it was made at a time before it was invented. just enjoy it for what is.

Sound:
Remastered Stereo and Mono soundtracks are available and benefit from THX remastering, French and Spanish soundtracks are also present on the disc.

Extras:
On side one of the disc is a amazing Movietone Newsreel from 1951, it kind of sets the scene for the film in way and is a very interesting extra feature, side two presents you with a chance to watch a 70 minute "Making the Earth stand Still" Documentary which was made for the mid 90`s Laserdisc release, there's also a great Audio Commentary from Robert Wise and Nicolas Meyer to accompany the film, you can also watch a Restoration Comparison between the film print, Laserdisc and DVD releases, 5 photo galleries are present along with the shooting script, and trailers for this film and other classics.
posted by David Robinson on 6/5/2003 23:11