FREE: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

The listing, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) has ended.

Starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Billy Gray, Sam Jaffe, Hugh Marlowe and Lock Martin. Directed by Robert Wise.

This 1951 classic is one of the seminal science fiction features in cinema history. It was one of the first to show an alien in a benevolent, friendly light as well as one of the first to combine an anti-war message within its science fiction motif.

Fox Studio Classic has created a DVD that does the film proud. Beside, a digitally remastered picture, plus an enhanced THX soundtrack, the DVD features a most interesting 70-minute documentary, `Making the Earth Stand Still,' in which director Robert Wise, producer Julian Blaustein and actors Patricia Neal and Billy Gray provide insight into the creation of this masterpiece.

The documentary takes you from the inception of the project to the first sneak screening, and includes discussions about the impact of Bernard Herrmann's score, how the title came about and the problems of encountered by Lock Martin, the 7-foot doorman hired to play the robot, Gort.

The film's commentary track by Wise and author-filmmaker Nicholas Meyer also adds to your appreciation of the film. Meyer discusses the Messiah-like parallels of the Klaatu character, while Wise denies any Christ-like references were intentional.

Wise also expresses his dissatisfaction with the character played by Hugh Marlowe and with Marlowe's performance. Meyer then throws in the observation that Marlowe was also the weak link in the classic All About Eve.

Overall, this is a great DVD that science fiction fans should add to their collection.

The Day to the Earth Stood Still is a worthy addition to the Fox Studio Classic series.

Like new condition.