Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951
*****
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Billy Gray, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Frances Bavier

During the height of the Communist paranoia, a flying saucer lands in Washington D.C. A humanoid named Klaatu and his gigantic robot Gort have come to deliver a message to the leaders of the world, but the reception is hostile. This thinking man's science fiction film and Christ allegory has stood the test of time because it offers big ideas instead of big spectacle. Bernard Herrmann wrote the memorable score. Based on Harry Bates' short story Farewell to the Master. Remade in 2008.