The Day The Earth Stood Still Analysis

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Following World War II, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union grew out of political, cultural and economic differences. The former allies found themselves in competition for power, land and nuclear arms. Known as the Cold War, this period provoked an anti- communist hysteria in America. The fear of a communist takeover in the United States ignited Americans to support a “witch-hunt” in which several American citizens were summoned to court over their political beliefs. The film industry was debatably the most affected as government officials pinned a number of Hollywood directors and producers for possible communist propanda in their films. With the potential of a nuclear war, America condemned Communism. Starting in the …show more content…

Released in 1953, the film begins with the arrival of an alien by the name of Klaatu. Klaatu announces that he comes in peace and has arrived to deliver an important message to the human race. He traveled to earth in order to warn the world leaders about the consequences of their violent political atmosphere. The alien believes that earth is reaching a technological level in which their violent actions could prove to be a danger to other planets. He states that if earth’s corrupt political climate expands to outer space then humans will face lethal repercussions. Yet, the American military starts to deploy their weapons immediately after Klaatu exits his spaceship. The alien is therefore forced to use his robot, Gortu, to melt the weapons with a ray of energy. In observing his advanced knowledge of technology, America reacts to the alien’s arrival in a defensive and hysterical manner. As Klaatu repeatedly assures earth of his peaceful intentions, the world still labels him as a dangerous enemy. In one critical scene, the alien is seen peacefully eating breakfast. At the same time, a radio station alarms the public of …show more content…

While Invasion of the Body snatchers and The Day The Earth Stool Still contained themes that denounced a nuclear arms war, The Thing From Another World supported the idea of using military action. The storyline begins with an alien landing in the North Pole discovered by Scientists and the American Air Force. They bring back the frozen extraterrestrial to a research station to investigate the unknown life form. The Air Force views the alien as an invader to destroy while the Scientists want to protect the creature. However, the alien unfreezes and starts to wreak havoc throughout the research base. Differing from the previous two films mentioned, the alien gives no mercy to the humans, repeatedly attacking anyone in his

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