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.
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The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus
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!!!
The review of this Movie prepared by Herman the German
