THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951)

[ulthar]

I absolutely LOVE this movie, and have since first seeing it as a kid.  It's frightening and interesting.

I introduced it last night to my children, and my son LOVED it.  He was mesmerized throughout the entire running time.  When it was over, he asked me, "Do you know of any more movies like that one?"

Didn't think it had it's own thread here and thought it certainly deserves one.

I loved how visual this movie is...how much "plot" is told visually rather than with exposition.

Solid 5 out of 5 for me, as this is no contest one of my most favorite movies of all time.

Oh, and I've got a couple on the list to fulfill the boy's request...

[indianasmith]

I saw it for the first time in high school.  My English teacher said it was the best sci-fi film of all time.

[JaseSF]

Definitely one of the most compelling sci-fi stories of all time and definitely the best sci-fi film pre-1968 (although The Thing (1951), Metropolis (1927), Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Island of Lost Souls, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932) also seem contenders). Is kind of fascinating in that in a way a seemingly benevolent alien comes to warn us about bringing our particular brand of destruction to the rest of the universe and yet in a way the aliens come across as somewhat authoriative - it's our way ... or else.

You got to love the musical score in this one...especially the omnious music that plays everytime Gort appears...

[Ted C]

Is kind of fascinating in that in a way a seemingly benevolent alien comes to warn us about bringing our particular brand of destruction to the rest of the universe and yet in a way the aliens come across as somewhat authoriative - it's our way ... or else.

I think part of Klaatu's point was that because his people had given robots like Gort complete authority in deciding how to suppress violence, there was absolutely nothing they could do to stop the robots from wiping out humanity if humans took to the stars with a warlike mindset. Once humans became interstellar travelers, the robots would carry out their mission.

[ulthar]

I'm watching the director's commentary now...top notch as well.  It's a dual commentary, a kind of interview, conducted with the director of THE DAY AFTER.

At 19:13 and they are talking about COLOSSUS THE FORBIN PROJECT.

Not the typical commentary...