What makes a great Sci-fi film? Lasers, Robots and Spaceships? Well the 1951 “The Day the Earth Stood Still” encompassed all of these traits and paved the way for future Science Fiction movies.
Watching it recently, it made me truly appreciate the roots of not only Science fiction films, but the whole history of compelling film making. Although the film has strong Sci-fi tones, its use of thoughtful story telling and the underlining theme of Human conquest and paranoia, shows exactly how fragile we are as a society.
People will look at that same film with different mind frames. Comparatively, it is a Neanderthalish film for today’s standards. But, if you think back to 1951, you could see why it became an instant classic. Its use of lighting tells a story in itself. Using the 
condensed dramatic eye lighting, shows the fear Helen, played by Patricia Neal, has while aboard the spaceship. The crispness of the black and white again creates an eerie yet picturesc tone throughout the film.
The acting is over dramatic, as were most of the films in this era. However, it shows well the paranoia brought forth by the mysterious alien from over 250 million miles away. Klaatu, 
played by Michael Rennie, was an excellent choice. As I read the inside jacket of the DVD, it explains the choice. Michael Rennie was a British actor not known by the American audience, so when he first appears without his space helmet, he is sterile to the North American audience.
For collector’s, this is a must have. For film students, this is a definite have. And for anyone else who enjoys substance to a world of sub-plot less Sci-Fi films, this is an essential experience.
