Klaatu In The Day The Earth Stood Still

Klaatu is a Metaphorical Jesus Christ
Films from the 1950s were largely science fiction, The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of those films. The movie focuses on an alien named Klaatu that comes to Earth with an important message, that will affect all of humanity. After watching this film it’s common for those with a small background in Christian beliefs to see the references to Jesus Christ throughout the film. During this period, most Americans believed in the religion of Christianity and its views, which made it easy for the predisposed comparisons to Klaatu and Christ easy for people to see. As presented in the article by Krin Gabbard, it can be easy to conclude that Klaatu from The Day Earth Stood Still is an indirect allegory to the Christian figure, Jesus Christ. Through the films multiple signs and clues, such as Klaatu

dying and being resurrected, Klaatu takes on the name of Carpenter, Dr. Barnhardt, and John the Baptist, and the screenwriter of the film specifically saying he made the comparisons on purpose, the relationship between the two is made clear. While the film also takes a stance against the communism, conformity, and McCarthyism that was prevalent during that time, the focus of this paper will remain of the comparisons of Klaatu and Christ.
The film starts with a UFO landing in Washington D.C.

and the U.S Army immediately surrounds it. Klaatu then steps out and declares that he comes with a message and in peace. He is then shot by a hesitant solider, and taken to a nearby military hospital. Klaatu requests a meeting with all the world’s leaders to share his message. After he is told that is not possible, he proceeds to escape and takes the name of John Carpenter and go amongst the community. He gets a meeting with Professor Barnhardt and tells him that if his message is not heard Earth will be destroyed. Barnhardt agrees to arrange a meeting with the world’s greatest scientists. Before the meeting can take place Klaatu is shot again by the army, only this time it kills him. Right before he dies he tells Helen to get to his robot, Gort, and say these words “Klaatu Barada Nikto”. Helen tells Gort the words and he takes her into the ship, and then comes back with Klaatu in his arms and brings him back to life. He then proceeds to tell the scientists that if they keep fighting like they are and it extends to the outside of our planet then Earth will be

destroyed.
Christianity is a long-standing religion, that focuses on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, who is the son of God, came to Earth to share a message of peace and tranquility. His birth was a miracle as God had blessed his mother, Virgin Marry, and when word had traveled that Gods’ son was to be born, countless miles were traveled by those anticipating his arrival. Jesus was to grow and live as man and in doing so he learned the trait of carpentry from his father, Joseph. Then when was a man, he began to travel across the land to preach, pray, and spread the word of the Lord and this began to start problems within Rome. Jesus was eventually betrayed by one of his followers and began to suffer mans’ sins on the cross at the hands of Romans until his death was finalized. Whenever he had been killed he was then buried in a tomb and guarded Roman soldiers, on the third day his mom had come back to visit her lost son to find and empty tomb and only the scraps of cloths he had died in left. Jesus was to then be found preaching to his disciples reassuring them that he was, in fact, Jesus and reminds them of the ways to be guarded by God.
The most substantial similarity between Klaatu and Christ starts at the beginning of both of their stories. A worldwide radio alert tells that a UFO is coming towards earth. When the ship carrying Klaatu first arrives on Earth, a large crowd of civilians and military persons are eagerly awaiting him. (The Day) Christ’s arrival was very similar. He was born in a small barn and when people heard of his birth they traveled from miles around to see the newborn babe. (Bible) Klaatu then tells the people that he has a message that will save them, as Jesus is known to be preaching the same idea later in is life. The biggest parallel between the two is the resurrection of both men. Klaatu who is seen as a threat by the military throughout the entire film, because they are unaware of the details of his arrival on earth. While he is trying to get back to his ship for the meeting with the scientists of the world, he is shot and killed. After he is shot, Helen runs to his ship and tells Gort, his robot, “Klaatu Barada Nikto”, words Klaatu had said to Helen previously. Gort then retrieves him and takes him back to his ship where he is brought back to life. When he is back alive he proceeds to tell the scientists of the world his message. (The Day) Jesus had been preaching to people all around that there is a God above and he wants to help, and when the Roman emperor, Caesar, got word of this he was outraged because it polluted his words that he was the only god. Christ then proceeded to be arrested by the police and put on trial before two different judges, who eventually found him guilty and sentenced him to death. He was crucified and three days later resurrected. Like Klaatu, he went on to continue to share his message to the world. (Bible)
A few other great similarities are the names of Klaatu and Christ and with Dr. Bardhardt. Sure, you’re thinking how in the world do Klaatu and Jesus Christ have anything in common, and your right, they absolutely don’t. But the name Klaatu uses while he is amongst the public, John Carpenter has some significance to Christ. Growing up Jesus had the great opportunity, like most young kids do, to have their fathers teach them their job or trade if you will. Jesus’s father, like many during the period, was a carpenter. The other significance is the initials of both men are the same J.C. Dr. Barnhardt is an important piece in Klaatu’s deliverance of his message. He is comparable to one of Christ’s friends, John the Baptist. Before meeting Klaatu, Barnhardt was trying to forewarn the world of the seemingly inevitable danger they were headed towards. After Klaatu was introduced Dr. Barnhardt, Barnhardt was able to pave the way for Klaatu to get his message out to the world. This was possible because Klaatu was figuratively baptized into the scientific world, thanks to his superior intellect and message, by Barnhardt. (Gabbard, 151-152) John the Baptist was the personification of the biblical law of Moses, which enabled him to prepare the way for the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and make the people ready to hear his message. (Bible)
Some may not be able to see this comparison between Klaatu and Christ because while the small details of each story don’t line up, the big details are almost exact. Both men were hunted, in short, by each of their respective adversaries. They were both being persecuted by the military. While Klaatu was wanted for the protection of the country who feared him because they were unaware of his purpose on earth. Jesus was wanted by the Roman leader for the security of his reputation because Jesus was offering an alternative to the emperor being the god. Even though the direct reasons for them being sought after are different, the results of their persecution were the same in the respect that neither had control in the outcome. Another reason one may shrug off the allegation of Klaatu to Jesus is that they both had the same end goal in mind, they just had different details. Klaatu, who had a warning message that if humans didn’t keep our wars on our own planet the intergalactic forces would have no choice but to proceed with the destruction of Earth. Jesus, who was spreading the message of loving one another and accepting that God was their Lord and Savior with the promise of eternity in Hell if you denied him. Klaatu and Jesus may have different messages but the motives behind them were as same as the other; the safety of their audience.
With the values of the McCarthy era being opposed in the film, the director and screenwriter further enforced the authority of Klaatu’s announcements on disarmament and world peace by making Klaatu a Christ figure. Which made it easier for the audience to connect with Klaatu. The screenwriter of the film, Edmund North, said he specifically wrote Christian elements into the film without discussing the matter with director Robert Wise or producer Julian Blaustein.  He wanted to make the comparisons under the radar, but still clear enough that people could make the connection. “It was my private little joke,” told North, “I had originally hoped that the Christ comparison would be subliminal”. North wrote the script with the intent to compare Klaatu to Christ. Which he did. (Matthews)
Although this film isn’t on the top of any religious movies lists, it’s almost ironic that it’s not more well-known in that society. The fact that the film was purposely made to reflect Klaatu as an estranged Messiah makes it very acceptable once you uncover it. (Kozlovic) With a good majority of the country being a branch of the Christian religion, it is easy to compare Klaatu to Christ. When watching a film most people subconsciously connect the film to some aspect of their life. With the predominate belief in Christianity being the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is very easy to then draw a comparison between Klaatu and Christ as these scenes create awe within their intended audiences. While the most blatant and upfront comparison for this allegation is the resurrection, the details that finalize and fulfill it are also key. The fact is that they were both trying to spread a message of peace for safety and tranquility but in the process of doing so were then sought after by their governments and eventually killed.