IMDb > The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 9 NEW)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) -- An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) -- Doctors discuss the mystery of the extremely health alien as they light up cigarettes.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) -- An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) -- MoviesTrailer.org - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 37% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Wise
Writers:
Edmund H. North (screenplay)
Harry Bates (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Day the Earth Stood Still on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 September 1951 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller more
Tagline:
A robot and a man . . . hold the world spellbound with new and startling powers from another planet! more
Plot:
An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(278 articles)
Scores from Outer Space
 (From SoundOnSight. 30 September 2009, 7:38 PM, PDT)

Cinematical Seven: Our Alien Friends
 (From Cinematical. 18 August 2009, 8:02 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
One of the ten best Sci-Fi movies of all time! more (323 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Additional Details

Runtime:
92 min | Germany:85 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | French | Hindi
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Italy:T | USA:Approved (PCA #15271) (original rating) | USA:G (re-rating) (1969) | Canada:G (video rating) | South Korea:12 (2004) | Brazil:Livre | Germany:12 (f) | Netherlands:12 | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Ireland:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:U

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The original choice of actor to play the alien visitor was Spencer Tracy. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: At 12:00 noon, (Washington DC Time, EST) when all the Earth's electricity is suspended, clips show people in daylight in other parts of the world. Some of those places (such as France) might still see the sun as high as depicted, but others (like Moscow) would not. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
American Radar Operator: Holy Mackerel! Call headquarters. Get the lieutenant.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Bones: The Girl in the Fridge (#1.8)" (2005) more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
How closely does the movie follow the short story?
From what planet did Klaatu originate?
more
99 out of 123 people found the following comment useful.
One of the ten best Sci-Fi movies of all time!, 6 December 2004
10/10
Author: mlcushing from Edmonton Alberta

This was one of the first sci-fi movies I ever saw and one by which I gage all others. Before there was 'Star Wars' there was 'The Day The Earth Stood Still'. It brought together all that later sci-fi movies strive for. A solid story, believable characters and, for the day, great special FX. It was an examination of society at the time and the racial prejudice that permeated all levels of life. It studies mans fear of the unknown and the violent reaction it produces even today, and how the love of one person can change the course of events for the better. It's a movie that can still stand on its own even by today's standards and should never be remade.

But that's just my opinion.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (323 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Was this considered a 'B' movie when released? shellsmachine
Patricia Neal lord_malasombra
Klaatu's interesting behavior mickeyone
Klaatu Barada Nikto trainspotted15
Location of the original Gort joehoward123
A Matrix Connection? mrpie81
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