The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 and 2008)

A new movie is coming out on December 12, 2008 or should I say…bit old title. This movie is a re-make movie based from 1951, The Day the Earth Stood Still. An old black and white movie that tells the story of a humanoid alien who comes to Earth to warn its leaders to curtail their conflicts or face devastating consequences. The British film star, Michael Rennie, played the character Klaatu from out space which it is perfect because during 1950 not many American knew about Michael Rennis and he was introduced to American as from another country as another world.


20th Centry Fox took the chance to created this film because during the 1950 was the time of Cold War and American was heavily engaged in Korean War. There was the risk for the film’s pro-peace message that would be seen as unpatriotic. The Cold War period was characterized by international crises such as the Berlin Blockade (1948–49), the Korean War (1950–53), the Vietnam War (1959–1975), and other crisis with America facing. Both movies (1951 and 2008) have a similar messages as we, today, face terrorism and Iraq attacks on adversaries were deterred by the potential for mutual assured destruction using deliverable nuclear weapons. Kinda strange eh?


Two quotes that stands out from 1951 movie with the character Klaatu’s monologues:


Klaatu: I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason.


Klaatu: …The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly…


Klaatu: …The decision rests with you.


Here’s the new movie poster of 2008 The Day the Earth Stood Still with Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. We all know him in America but how’s that different from the old actor? Well…maybe Keanu Reeves is strange man….or…just weird. I wonder how different between these two movies. I guess I will have to catch this show and see it for myself.

Enjoy the movie…..I hope.