esrosedotblog

STILL

Michael Rennie comes in a spaceship to tell the world that all the fighting and weapon shit will eventually kill the planet. This will be done either on our own, or if we are a menace to the extraterrestrial world, they will zap us out.

Here, Rennie is about to make his speech. Patricia Neal is one of the few earthlings on his side. The big lug in the metal suit if the robot programmed to do the wipeout.

The film ends with the warning and Rennie takes off. Neil stays behind. This was 54 years ago. Obviously no one paid any attention. Things are worse here on earth. I wonder when the zap comes.

The movie of the day is about The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951). No. It does not stop spinning. You will have to look for yourself to see how this is accomplished.

All good science fiction film is plot and not special effects driven. There is not a lot of good science fiction film today. The effects are gratuitous and mostly there because they can do the stunts; not because they put the drama forward.

This film is very low tech. Look at the pants on the robot. But it is compelling and very well done. It still works 54 years later. The message is still apt. The robot would be very convincing.

Robert Wise is the director. Look at his credits. Jeeez. He is still alive; 90 years old.

It is a NYTimes Best1176 film and I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.