Day the Earth Stood Still (DVD, 2003, Fox Studio Classics)

This is a great DVD! The orginal show was on TV plenty of times when I was a child but it sure is great watching it without commercials! Great cast and a very nice print. The music - which I had forgotten until I heard it - was also remastered very well on this DVD.

Great old sci-fi. It keeps you involved even though the history is so outdated. It gives the insight to how people were thinking in the 1950's during the height of the cold war.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The first memories of this movie were as a child in the 50's...a simpler time, but not without "threat" to our security. Talk among the adults then was whether to build the fallout shelter in the backyard or just be wiped out like the majority of the population. There were conversations overheard and sometimes directly explained to us about the pros and cons of fallout shelters. Could a person turn away his friends or extended family? Would people bombard the shelters overloading them? Would neighbor turn against neighbor? Would a family want to come out to find themselves alone? The timing could not have been more perfect for this movie. A spaceship enters our living rooms via the tv..and right there in black and white..we are introduced to a superior messenger and his most convincing robot. Fear triggers shots at Michael Rennie, as he walks down the runway of the space ship, to deliver his most important message. During medical treatment, Rennie realizes that hopes of a peaceful meeting with all world leaders is blocked by suspicion and ignorance. So, he escapes into the world, finds allies in Patricia Neal, her son, Billy Gray, and a leading scientist. To further gain the attention and respect from earthlings, he and his robot (still convincing to me) shut down power all over the world for 30 minutes. But, to show his intent of no harm, places like hospitals are spared the power outage. World leaders gather to find that other civilizations on other planets have been watching the earth. But, now that the violence has esculated and with a possibility of our violence reaching other races, then we are given the choice...stop now or be eliminated. Now, as a child, I saw the reasoning in this and ended up liking Rennie and his robot. I still do. Three generations watched this movie in our home the night of it's arrival. We all loved it. The message is timeless and sound. This movie is a must have for our DVD library. Thank you. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This film is just the best example of a classic SciFi film. It stars Michael Rennie, a space traveler that comes to Earth, poised to destroy it if it's inhabitants don't change their evil ways. Now a cult classic, this film's timeless message is as important today as the year it was made. If you love Sci Fi, you have got to add this to your collection.

Movie is one of the best SciFi movies ever made. Evidently based in Cold War mentality but is a very good example of not needing over-the-top special effects to make a very good science fiction movie. The biggest problem with the movie is that anyone who was not old enough to have lived through the cold war period would not get into it as much. On a scale of 1-10 for SciFi it deserves a 10. Movies in general, I'd rank it an 7.5. Even my wife liked it and the only SciFi she ever liked was Babylon5! True SciFi's explore Politics or Philosophy and this one does.

Classic Sci-Fi from 1951, a time of many flying saucer movies. Most of them were corny but this one stood out from the rest. I'm sure the makers and cast had no idea their movie would later obtain 'cult' status, its that good. Well thought out and ahead of its time. As of this writing, the modern remake is due for release in 3 months. I hope they it justice.

Without a doubt, one of about 8 all time incredible sci-fi shows that started it all folks. These shows were the star wars of their day, and more than influenced the writers and director's of this day. We could use this story right NOW in the world. Watching it makes you feel like there is hope, because war would be a thing of the past if you want to live in any way at all. Other shows of this era which have good themes and story-lins are...."War of the Worlds"...(Original version)...."This Island Earth"...."When Worlds Collide"...
"Crack in the World"....."Metropolis"...(very early)...."Colosus-the Forbin Project"....And probably the all time Greatest..."Forbidden Planet". Having any or all of these is affordable and lays most if not all of the groundwork for the sci-fi you see today. Do yourself a favor, and own them all, you won't regret the cost or the time to own them.

Movie was clear...no problem with it. I watched the whole movie and it was great. I seen the movie years ago and I found it very interesting. Once again, thank you.

Liked this movie since I was a kid...it is simple...it is clean and a Sci-Fi Standard! Bought it after I accidently sent my other one back to Netflix!

Quintessential cold-war era thriller concerning benevolent beings from another world sent to show we earthlings the error of our nuclear arms race. Michael Rennie is perfect as the alien Klattu. Great cinematography, great use of shadows and light for dramatic effect.

This was the best movie ever made, I purchased it because it does not come on to often on TV
It was made in 1950 and still to this day,it tell the story about the people on Earth on how they destroying the planet and themselfs,let alone other worlds!!

GREAT SCI-FI MOVIE. LOVE TO COMPARE THE OLD TECH GAGDETS TO TODAYS HI TECH ONES.
NO FANCY DIALOG JUST PLANE SIMPLE ACTING.LOVE IT ON DVD. THERE IS NOTHING I DIS-
LIKED ABOUT THE MOVIE ITSELF.

This is a MUST HAVE - CLASSIC SCI/FI with real meaning, warning mankind, about the repercussions of using NUCLEAR WARFARE could lead to world wide destruction,
or elimination by A HIGHER INTELLEGENCE

This is real Sci-Fi, before there was Sci-Fi. This is a CLASSIC Science Fiction depiction of life if..IF..they came to Earth because our little wars may spill over into the rest of the universe. This is a MUST watch!

This movie makes most of today's special-effects- heavy blockbusters look amateur. Everything is top notch in this one. Michael Rennie is very convincing as the alien visitor who shows compassion for the people of Earth who are advancing too quickly in war technology for their own good. Patricia Neal is also good in her role of mother to a son who spends time with the mysterious stranger Mr. Carpenter. The special effects in this film were beyond anything seen at the time and continue to be impressive to this day, considering that this film was made in 1951. They are not too flashy; they are subtle enough that viewers are not distracted and they will actually make you think more about the power that the giant robot Gort wields. The phrase "he could destroy the world" holds special meaning when you see him melt weapons and revive the fallen Klaatu. This film also has several amusing scenes, such as when Klaatu offers to pay to see a movie. This one is also full of suspense. When the Earth stands still, it's truly an impressive sight. On top of all of that, you have the impressive soundtrack by the legendary Bernard Hermann and some great DVD extras, including some nice news reel footage from the period. Buy this to see a truly great example of film-making. This is definitely not just for sci-fi fans.

This is an all time great movie. I saw it as a child, and still love watching as an adult. Great acting, great FX {for the time.} This is one movie that you will want to add to your "Sci-Fi" collection.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a an excellent Cult Classic. It is very interesting; the way of life during the 1950's. If you watch, people weren't offended as easily around that time.

You are in for a treat if you love Cult-Sci-fi classics.

This is the latest cutting edge sci-fi made in the 50's but unlike other B&W movies of that era, it still holds water today. Not about space travel at all, it portrays the human condition in an unbiased manner. It is made so well as to engage the viewer totally. The special effects are minimal, only offered to support the story and are executed light-years beyond similar efforts 50 years ago. The extras are fair to good. My only complaint is that the soundtrack, while crisp and clear, has too much volume with regards to the music. I believe this is a by-product of multichannel encoding or some similar dolby-ish modifications. I listen in 2-track stereo, no center or surround, so most viewers would not notice. Add this movie to your collection, alongside bladerunner and the firefly/serenity group...you will like it!!!!

I first saw this movie in 1953 when it came out and it has been one of my favorites ever since. I'm glad they put it on DVD.

Digitally remastered with special features. Great price/value.Not easy to find classic sci-fi movies.

I bought this DVD to replace an old VHS version which I treasured.

For those who haven't seen this picture, it is simply wonderful, quite better than the current 2008 remake of supposedly the same picture (different plot, different message). For a 1951 sci-fi picture (still B&W) the plot, screenplay and message have a lot of depth. The message is that the world needs to cooperate more, avoid nuclear annihilation and subsequent galactic contamination, or suffer the consequences of world destruction by robotic police.

Bought the film as a gift for my brother. One of the classics in Sci-Fi film history. Entertaining, suspenceful and relavent even for today's movie goers.

The message from this movie is still just as relevant today as it was when the movie was made in 1951. I saw this movie when I was a kid and I've always loved it. If you haven't seen the ORIGINAL yet, you ought to give it a try. Highly recommended!

Just saw the new version and WOW...was I dissapointed! Keanu Reeves role as Klaatu was boring and nowhere near the original role Michael Rennie played as the messenger of universal peace. With all the hi-tec special effects these days I don't understand how they still managed to ruin the true message this classic version meant to send. Needless to say, this old flic is a wonderful
all time classic that can never be beaten...no matter how much they'll try!