I could take the easy route and put The African Queen, An American in Paris, or A Streetcar Named Desire, but I have not yet been able to see those (though they are all on my list!). Next up would be Alice in Wonderland, but I honestly don't care for it. So we are left with a classic science fiction film, The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Robert Wise directed this classic about an extraterrestrial visit from a flying saucer, from which a humanoid alien named Klaatu begins to walk among us and learn about us. His first interaction with us results in a gift from him to us being destroyed when a soldier shoots him, causing his ominous (and iconic) robotic companion, Gort, to destroy all guns nearby. In an equally ominous ending, a temporarily resurrected Klaatu (after being murdered by military) warns the human race that they can either join other planets in peaceful conversation, or be reduced to ash if they continue their violence.
The film acts as a recognition of humanity's violent nature, and a warning that our brutal reactions to the unknown will eventually be our undoing. It shows how animal-like and feral we can become when we let our fear control us. Sadly, it also depicts a government that seeks to control information by force. The Day the Earth Stood Still brings us a classic science fiction with androids, flying saucers and disintegrating beams, but it also reminds us of where we were over 60 years ago during the Cold War, and sadly how little progress we have truly made.
P.S. - Time to re/discover this classic? Amazon (or check another provider) has it available to:
1) Rent digitally for $2.99.
2) Buy on Blu-ray for $13.37.
3) Buy on DVD for $6.53.
4) Buy digitally for $12.99.
P.P.S - Remember your local library has films as well!
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