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One Sheet commemorative poster for the classic 1951 science fiction film
The Day the Earth Stood Still
, issued for the 75th anniversary of 20th Century Fox in 2010. This artwork is part of a limited edition poster campaign celebrating the studio's legacy.
The Film: The Day the Earth Stood Still
(1951)
Director: Robert Wise
Main Cast: Michael Rennie (as the alien Klaatu), Patricia Neal (as Helen Benson), and Lock Martin (as the robot Gort).
Plot: The film is a Cold War-era moral fable where a humanoid alien, Klaatu, lands in Washington, D.C., with his powerful robot companion Gort to deliver an ultimatum to humanity: live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets. Klaatu goes incognito to learn about humans, eventually demonstrating his power by stopping all electricity worldwide for 30 minutes (excluding essential services).
Key Cultural Impact
Message: Unlike many monster movies of its time, the film is a serious cautionary tale that critiques human aggression and the nuclear arms race, promoting peace and global cooperation.
Iconic Lines: It introduced the legendary and widely referenced science fiction phrase, "Klaatu barada nikto," which is the command Helen Benson must give Gort to stop him from destroying Earth.
Legacy: The film is considered one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi films ever made, known for its intelligent script, black-and-white cinematography, and eerie theremin musical score by Bernard Herrmann. |
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