Fiche technique
| Durée | 92 minutes |
| Année de sortie | 18 septembre 1951 |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Pays |  - United States |
| Budget | 995 000,00 $US |
| Avis |
|
| Réalisation | Robert Wise |
| Scénario | Edmund H. North |
Présentation
The Day the Earth Stood Still (a.k.a. Farewell to the Master and Journey to the World) is a 1951 American science fiction film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Julian Blaustein and directed by Robert Wise. It stars Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier and Lock Martin. The screenplay was written by Edmund H. North, based on the 1940 science fiction short story "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates, and the film score was composed by Bernard Herrmann.
Set in the Cold War during the early stages of the nuclear arms race, the storyline involves a humanoid alien visitor who comes to Earth, accompanied by a powerful robot, to deliver an important message that will affect the entire human race.
In 1995, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The 2008 remake The Day the Earth Stood Still stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly.
Bande-annonce
Synopsis
When a flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C., the United States Army quickly surrounds it. A humanoid emerges and announces that he comes "in peace and with good will." When he unexpectedly opens a small device, he is shot and wounded by a nervous soldier. A tall robot emerges from the saucer and quickly disintegrates the Army's weapons. The alien orders the robot, Gort, to desist. He explains that the now-broken device was a gift for the President of the United States that would have enabled him "to study life on the other planets".
The alien, Klaatu, is taken to Walter Reed Army Hospital. After surgery, he uses a salve to quickly heal his wound. Meanwhile, the Army fails to enter the saucer because Gort stands outside, silent and unmoving.
Klaatu tells the President's secretary, Mr. Harley, that he has a message that must be delivered to all the world's leaders simultaneously. Harley tells him that in the current world situation this is impossible. Klaatu proposes to spend time among ordinary humans to better understand their "unreasoning suspicions and attitudes". Harley rejects the proposal and Klaatu is kept under guard.
Klaatu is able to escape and moves into a boarding house, using the name Mr. Carpenter ("Maj. John Carpenter") on the dry cleaner's tag on a suit he acquired. Among the residents are young widow Helen Benson and her son Bobby. Klaatu becomes a mentor to Bobby. Helen's suitor, Tom Stevens, becomes jealous of the stranger.
The boy takes Klaatu on a tour of the city, including a visit to his father's grave in Arlington National Cemetery; Klaatu learns that most of the dead are soldiers killed in wars. They also visit the Lincoln Memorial. Klaatu asks Bobby, "Who is the greatest living person?" Bobby suggests Professor Barnhardt. They visit his home, but he is out; Klaatu is able to enter. Barnhardt's blackboard is covered with equations (attempting to find a solution to the Three Body Problem). Klaatu adds to them and, after being discovered by the housekeeper, leaves his contact information.
That evening, a government agent escorts Klaatu to Barnhardt. Klaatu tells Barnhardt that the people of other planets are concerned about Earth's possible aggression, now that humanity has developed rockets and rudimentary atomic power. He states that if his message is ignored, Earth could be "eliminated". Barnhardt agrees to gather scientists from around the world at the saucer; he also suggests that Klaatu demonstrate his power peacefully beforehand.
Klaatu returns to his spaceship, unaware that Bobby is following him. Bobby watches as Gort knocks out two guards to help Klaatu reenter the saucer. Bobby runs home and tells Helen. She does not believe him, but Tom is suspicious.
The next day, for half an hour, starting at 12-noon (east coast time), all electrical equipment on Earth ceases to operate, except for essential services, such as hospitals and aircraft in flight.
Klaatu learns that Bobby watched him the previous night. He visits Helen at work, reveals his purpose on Earth, and asks that she not betray him. Helen asks Tom to keep Klaatu's identity secret, but, already in the process of alerting the military, he refuses to listen.
Helen and Klaatu rush to Barnhardt's home. They hope that Barnhardt can hide Klaatu until the meeting later that evening. Klaatu tells Helen that if anything should happen to him, she must go to Gort and say, "Klaatu barada nikto".
The Army tracks them in their taxi. Klaatu is shot dead, and his body is taken to a nearby police station cell. Helen rushes to the saucer and speaks the phrase. Hearing Klaatu's words, Gort retrieves Klaatu's body, and revives him, though Klaatu tells Helen that his revival is only temporary.
Klaatu tells Barnhardt's assembled scientists that an interplanetary organization has created a police force of invincible robots like Gort. "In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us." Klaatu concludes, "Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer." Klaatu and Gort depart in the saucer.
Distribution
| Acteur | Rôle |
|---|---|
| Michael Rennie | Klaatu |
| Patricia Neal | Helen Benson |
| Hugh Marlowe | Tom Stevens |
| Sam Jaffe | Jacob Barnhardt |
| Frances Bavier | Barley |
| Billy Gray | Bobby Benson |
Numéros d'identification
- IMDb ID (tt0043456)
- Rotten Tomatoes ID (m/1005371-day_the_earth_stood_still)
- Letterboxd film ID (the-day-the-earth-stood-still)
Sources
Alien - 24 octobre 2022 - Voir l'historique
.jpeg){kind=link}