TDTESS
Well there has been at least two bits of good news this year. One, Honda may finally introduce the Varadero to the U.S., the other is one of my favorite movies “The Day The Earth Stood Still” (TDTESS) is finally being remade.
Original lobby card, Circa 1951
For its time it was the cutting edge of Sci-Fi movies, winning an Academy Award for special effects. In the original story line, an advanced Alien Being arrives on Earth sent by a Federation of other planets who have been watching Earth’s technological advancement. With the advent of space travel and nuclear fission, it is feared that Earths violent ways will reach out into the Universe. The Alien “Klattu” is accompanied by a Robot named “Gort”, who has irrevocable power to destroy anything that acts with violence, including whole planets and its own Masters. Klattu’s mission is to deliver Earth a warning to fly right or face obliteration.
Klattu (Michael Renee) and GORT
The story line is prophetic with an excellent script and cast. By todays standards, it might seem a little campy but it was way ahead of its time. The story was actually based on a short story called, “Farewell to the Master” and had a somewhat different story line but the message was the same.
Visitors from Space and the Media Circus.
The Ultimate Movie Robot, GORT
I grew up with this film but since I wasn’t born until 1957, so I only saw it on television screen. In 2003, I saw the movie at the Stanford Film festival in Palo Alto California on a real movie screen, which made it a whole new experience. “The Day The Earth Stood Still” ranks as one of the top ten films ever made, in my mind. It was for that reason that is hasn’t been remade. It will be a challenge to top the original except for the special effects. It will be interesting to see how close they stick to the story line and how well Keannu Reeves plays Klatuu in the remake. Oops! I gave some of it away.
To be released Dec 2008
I recommend you buy or rent the original first. If you do watch it, realize when it was made and what was going on in 1951 before you criticize it. The remake may be as good as the first, or they will screw it up. We’ll just have to wait and see. “Klatuu, Barada, Nikto”.
Great movie. I own the dvd and actually watched it the other day. I did not know about the remake and will have to look out for it. BUT, it will have to be pretty special to beat the original.