Rating: 
Summary: great movie / terrible format
Review: I could never recommend this version of a great film. If it is not available on dvd with widescreen format, why not stay with a VHS.. The full screen format without a wide screen option is beyond my comprehension. Also it is very unfortunate this is not made clear on the advertisement for this dvd...
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Greatest Science Fiction Movies of All Time
Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic in every sense of the word. 52 years later it is still an exiting, intelligent adventure. Unlike most "Sci-Fi" movies up to that time, it does not depict its alien as a rampaging monster intent on conquering Earth for no apparent reason. Ignore the sensationalist contemporary poster--it was how the marketeers of the time promoted all pictures of this genre. Although the special effects are primitive by today's standards they still hold up well, demonstrating that the minimalist approach is often best. If there are some lapses in logic being pointed out by nitpickers, keep in mind when this movie was written. Keep in mind also that it was written here on Earth, not on Kaatu's home planet--the things we take for granted as evidence of high technology today were not conceivable to the writers of the period. Some may find this difficult to accept but consider this as an illustration: With all the stories written about the first manned landing on the moon, even those written in the mid '60s, not one of them predicted live TV from the first landing. And that was only looking a couple of years ahead! Faulting a 1950s author adapting a 1940s story for not predicting ATMs or EFTs is not a valid criticism. This movie is a strong allegory for the Cold War organizations that can not see the "big picture". It is not, as some have suggested, an indictment solely of the US or an endorsement of the UN. In fact, early in the picutre the US President does attempt to get world leaders together only to find their internal squabbling prevents such a conference from taking place. The UN itself is mentioned and similarly dismissed as ineffective, again because of politicians. Klaatu then turns to the world's scientists as being an international group that is more concerned with truth than with politics and power plays (if only it were still so!). The scientific community does not band together to teach the politicians as much as becomes a worldwide organization that will listen to Klaatu's message. The concept of a "message" is one of the many elements of this movie that was extremely influential. Instead of aliens just showing up with their disintegrators, they come with a message. This became a staple of many later pictures. This is a key point about TDTESS. You'll see a number of things in there that seem like cliches. They did become cliches as other movies took ideas from this film, but they weren't cliches in This film because this film Invented them. One other noticeable unique quality in the story: Klaatu, while warning Earth not to export its wars also tacitly admits that others in the cosmos had the same problem. They weren't all peace-loving civilizations. They developed a method for devoting themselves to peaceful coexistence by arranging for a more powerful force to impose that peace on them. They admit it is not a perfect system, but it works. They are saying, "Do try not try to bring your wars/arms beyond your planet or you will be destroyed--we have the power to do so". Again, maybe not "fair", but it works and has worked (in the story) for a long time--there are no interplanetary wars. This is a powerful concept. The aliens are not omniscient or even particularly benenvolent. They aren't hostile either. They simply are. They don't revel in force, but will reluctantly use it to eliminate potential threats to the community at large. That protection of the community at large, not the destruction or salvation of humanity per se is their purpose. Well-acted (Michael Rennie's performance is so powerful it typecast him), directed and produced, The Day the Earth Stood Still will still be a great, relevant statement 52 years from now. Few movies can make that claim.
Rating:
Summary: Star anti-Wars.
Review: How, you ask, can it be that the greatest of all science fiction films has little in the way of special effects...and isn't even in color! Of course its a wonderful story, beautifully acted. But as I watched it this time I realized its a story of hope--not resignation to the inevitability of endless wars. And believe me, there is nothing outdated or corny about that. The scene with Michael Rennie at the Lincoln Monument really says it all as he remarks on the great words. Just try to imagine George Junior sitting in Mr. Lincoln's chair...its hard to know whether to laugh or cry.
Rating: 
Summary: DVD could be better
Review: This film is wonderful to see again and again. The sound of the Bernard Herrmann score is superb; compare it to the dreadful mix of the Spanish language track for a taste of what came before. My complaints: the "documentary" is not a documentary at all; it is just some old interview clips. Interesting perhaps, but not editted to make it a "documentary" worth watching a second time. Everyone says everything three times! Also, if appropriate clips or stills were juxtaposed with the interviews, it would be much more meaningful. Why do studios make their tacky contemporary logos, intros, THX ads, etc. into, effectively, part of the film? Who would buy a DVD because it came from 20th, Universal, whatever? There is no brand loyalty to be generated and it only deters from the experience of watching an old film.
Rating:
Summary: Don't stand still! Get this DVD!
Review: An all new revamped version of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is now available on DVD. Revamped with THX! A classic sci-fi film with one of the strongest messages ever written for a sci-fi movie! An alien named Klaatu comes to Earth in peace & is treated like dirt. Even though this movie was made in 1951, the message is still true today. Hugh Marlow from "Earth VS. The Flying Saucers" co-stars in this movie along with Francis Bavier..AKA Aunt Bea. No Opie though. : )
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic
Review: How can you go wrong with one of the all time classics.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Sci-fi.......Wonderful DVD Treatment
Review: This is a true classic of the golden age of science fiction, and still holds a pertinent message today. A man from another planet arrives and experiences mans expected reaction, one of violence. He is here to warn the race of man that, while we can kill each other, if the tendancies for violence expand into the reaches of space, earth will be destroyed. This DVD is loaded with extras and the sound and picture quality is magnificent. I wish all of the classic sci-fi could be treated this well. 5 Stars are not enough for this gem.
Rating:
Summary: Just Because Its Hypocritical, Doesn't Mean It's Not True.
Review: I have been a fan of "The Day The Earth Stood Still" for several years. When I first saw it, I was impressed that there was a 50's Sci-Fi that was thoughtful of current events.
It also seemed to set the standard for Sci-Fi for the next 17 years. But recently I have given it more consideration. Although the film quickly criticizes American and former Soviet Union cold war politics, it totally ignores the politics of Klatuu's society. For example, what type of government does Klatuu's people have? What would it be like to have Giant robots roaming earth waiting to "neutralize" an aggressor? Is that democracy? Socialism? No. That's not even Fascism. It's almost like this film found a way to make us believe that a "Big Brother" society would achieve world peace. After having read George Orwell's "1984", how could we come to this conclusion. Think of it this way. A husband and wife are having an argument. The husband hits his wife. Would Gort burst through the wall and zap the husband? Would the wife say "Thanks, Gort. I don't think the anger management classes would have worked anyway. Besides, as soon as hit me, I instantly stopped loving him." If we really consider having Robot Policemen in our society we realize that it wouldn't work. Therefore, if it wouldn't work, who is Klatuu to tell us how to run our society? Ask yourself this: Who would carry out the destruction of earth? If Klatuu destroyed earth, would Gort "neutralize" him? Would some other robot "neutralize" Gort? I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this. Klatuu criticizes the very politics that he is using. Klatuu's hypocritical culture is loosely based off of ours. For example, people find it okay to murder a doctor that performs abortions. There is truth in this movie, but not that Klatuu's culture is superior to our own. The truth is: we fear a culture that is superior in strength. Just like we fear God. But God is guilty of the same crimes as us. In conclusion, Klatuu's robot police would defiantly end war. But that wouldn't end violence. It would just be somebody else committing the violence.
Rating:
Summary: A "Muther" of a Review....
Review: .. we have already watched it on the home theater system... and loved seeing it again, firstly I Must say that the quality is tops, I'm always a little worried when I buy DVDs that are Zone 1 i.e. NTSC, even though my system will play the NTSC format, there can be problems with the overall quality of image, but not this time, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" played wonderfully well and all the bonus stuff was real great to watch.
I was interested that they have recored the sound track in THX sound, my amp has THX reproduction capabilities and even though the original soundtrack was most likely mono, what I was hearing in the lounge room blew me away! Well done guy's with this release on DVD....all good stuff.
There are a couple of moments in the film that are very poignant and make my mind soar, moment's like where Klaatu speaks with the Professor for the first time, and in a calm collected voice says, ...(Klaatu)"the Earth would be Eliminated...(the Professor) such power exists?...(Klaatu), I assure you, such power exists!", and of course the speech Klaatu gives before leaving just before the end, and when Klaatu speaks to the Government Official in the beginning of the film and refers to "petty squabbles", an impatience with stupidity, references to time and measurement in terms of "of your months" and "of your miles"...this is all correct scripting, this kind of detail is good and needs to remain if a remake ever gets planned, try to keep in homage with the original, and may I suggest that Robert Zemeckis be the one to Direct it, a director with vision. And might I say one more thing,
I was so surprised to see the scene where Gort lifts Patricia Neal
and carrys her, I dont know how many times I've seen this film, but this is the first time that I've noticed the support wires attached to a gurney to aid Lock Martin (Gort) to carry Helen (Patricia Neal), such is the improvement in picture quality!....
Buy it if you love Genuine, Intelligently made films, this is one!
Rating:
Summary: A TIMELESS MESSAGE....
Review: At a time when nuclear and biological warfare loom over our heads, the simple message of 1951's "Day the Earth Stood Still" couldn't be more timely. The best sci-fi film of the 50's (and arguably the best ever made) has been handled with care and looks wonderful on disc. It retains its' mystery and suspense after all these years thanks to several key factors. One being the masterful direction of Robert Wise. Another is the great acting of the cast. But the most subtle element is the fantastic score by Bernard Herrmann---it is beautifully orchestrated to match and interlock each scene giving the film an almost seamless coherence. It's a memorable score and is hugely responsible for giving the film its' edge as well as its' class.
This film has a good subtle script also that never seems pedestrian. It has nice tight dialogue. Helen Benson (Patricia Neal) is not your average sci-fi film heroine either. She's portrayed as an intelligent working woman and mother. She doesn't succumb to hysteria. She functions heroically in the face of danger and only screams once. And then her terror is easily justified as she's at the mercy of Gort the robot and knows its' power. Another interesting aspect of this classic is the close-ups of the faces in the crowd scenes. They are multi-culturally diverse. They are not all white. Pretty cool for 1951. Everything about this film is natural and has that "hey it could happen" quality. Even "Klaatu Barada Nikto". This is just a wonderful, wonderful film. Enjoyable on every level. Buy it.
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