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Parents' Guide to

The Day the Earth Stood Still

By Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Sci-fi, pro-peace classic with some threats and violence.

Movie G 1951 92 minutes
The Day the Earth Stood Still Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Nintendofan124
Nintendofan124 Adult
August 28, 2019
age 2+

Not

Sircjalot
Sircjalot Parent of 18+-year-old
January 16, 2019
age 7+

A classic sci fi movie with a deep message that everyone can understand!

While it is not an action movie, the violence is a bit to much for a G rating. But not by much. Military weaponry is seen throughout this film. In the very beginning when the flying saucer landed. The humanized alien (Klaatu) was shot in the shoulder by an army men. Blood can be seen on his shoulder. The scenes with the giant robot (Gort) can be intense. In one scene, Gort shoots out a laser beam, killing two soldiers, later he knocks out or possibly kills two other soldiers with it's hands. In one scene, one of the main characters is gunned down and killed by the military (No blood is seen.) There are some scenes of people smoking "the typical 1950s stuff." And there was a few mild kissing scenes. I would rate this movie PG for some of the shooting and uses of smoking!
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this classic 1951 sci-fi film, a charismatic foreigner lands on Earth, determined to deliver a message of peace despite people's fear and distrust. When a flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C., the army cordons it off. Spectators watch as a panel opens and Klaatu, a human-looking alien, emerges. While he declares his peaceful intentions, a trigger-happy soldier shoots him, provoking Klaatu's indestructible robot, Gort, to vaporize the army's entire arsenal. After escaping from the hospital where he's being observed, Klaatu borrows some earth clothes and seeks out the brilliant Professor Barnhardt, to whom he reveals his mission. He has come as an emissary to warn earthlings that their atomic weapons pose a threat to the peace and security of other planets, and that they must disarm or their planet will be "eliminated." But can Klaatu impart his message to all of the nations' representatives before alien paranoia causes panic?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (7 ):

One of the finest science fiction movies of the 1950s, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL retains its impact and its dignity half a century later. Hopefully no one will ever try to remake this movie, because the earnestness that drives it would be near impossible to recapture. The effects, understated and very competent, would resemble those in 1999's soulless Lost in Space. So please, movie-remaking people, leave this one alone!

Michael Rennie's striking posture and stern, hatchet-like face make for a convincing alien. Patricia Neal is also admirable as Helen, the woman who unwittingly boards her spare room to him but then tries to help him. Children will find a character to relate to in Bobby, Helen's young son who finds a father figure in the man from space. Released during the Cold War, this film was a rarity for depicting its otherworldly visitor as an ambassador of peace. Though young viewers may find the robot and spaceship unimpressive by modern standards, Klaatu's mission will engage them, and the message of non-violence could spur good discussions about the importance of world peace.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the alien Klaatu brings the thought-provoking question of world peace to the screen, and how safe our world is today.

  • How do you think alien visitors would be treated today, in the age of films such as Independence Day?

Movie Details

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