"Shortly after World War II, at the height of the Cold War, an alien ship circles the earth at high speed and then lands on the Mall in Washington, DC. A tall, striking alien diplomat-scientist named Klaatu (Rennie), insists on revealing his purpose only to a gathering of all the world's leaders, but that isn't possible. Wounded in the hand by a trigger-happy American soldier, he escapes and goes incognito, staying at a boarding house where he gets to know young widow Helen Benson (Neal) and her son Bobby (Billy Gray) as well as studies the human species. The foolish paranoia and fear of the government and populace is not entirely misplaced, however; Klaatu is accompanied by a giant robot, Gort, who has the ability to destroy the planet if matters do not proceed as planned! This 1951 classic, directed by Robert Wise ("West Side Story," "The Andromeda Strain") and written by Edmund North ("Patton"), has minimal special effects, some dry wit ("There's nothing strange about Washington, Mr. Carpenter"), occasionally stumbles into cheap horror theatrics, but holds up very well in its earnestness. Sam Jaffe does an excellent turn as sympathetic earth scientist, Professor Jacob Barnhardt."
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
"Michael Rennie is an alien that comes to Earth with an ultimatum: Make Peace or Else. He is accompanied by is giant robot Gort (his Master in the original Novella).
But first he must look firsthand at humanity, and for that he lives incongnito amongst humans for a while.
Other than the preachy aspects there is plenty of low key suspense and spooky music by Herrman.
A real classic. Klaatu Barada Niktu!!!"
Herman the German, Resident Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Movie Actual chase scenes or violence - 15% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 45%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact
Yes
Explore plotlet:
- friendly alien from space chased by govt
Robots & Computers & VR
Yes
Plotlet:
- helpful robots doing good
Generally friendly 1st contact with aliens?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- diplomat
Age:
- 20's-30's
- long lived adults
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- is very quick
- healing
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/medium straight
Body type
- average (man)
Events of movie makes character more...
- aggressive
- irritated
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavy
Body type
- ample chest & buttocks (female)
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an entire race
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 90%-100%
How sensitive is this character?
- a soggy, whimpering jelly muffin
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th Century (1950-1970)
Spaceship setting:
- alien spaceship
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Takes place in spaceship?
Yes
In Space?
- in spacesuit
Big cities?
Yes
Kind of city
- Beautiful sparkling advanced city
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Tone of movie
- spiritual
- fearful
Check here if B&W
Yes
Any profanity?
- None
Kinds of F/X
- exploding vehicles
- exploding bombs
- exotic spaceships
- exotic aliens
If Soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Orchestra/classical
Is this movie based on a
- book
