Customer Reviews

The Day the Earth Caught Fire [VHS]

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Day the Earth Caught Fire" (1961) is one of my most eagerly awaited DVDs ever - a terrific, thoughtful and all-around superb movie (winner of the 1961 BAFTA for best screenplay) which has only been available on mediocre pan & scan VHS in the past.

And now the DVD is out... I AM IN HEAVEN! The picture quality is stunning, no exaggeration, and the original tints have been restored to different segments of the black-and-white film. Anamorphic widescreen at about 2.33:1. The photo section is surprisingly extensive, lots of good publicity stills, although I was surprised to see a bit of nudity in a few of them (parents be cautioned if necessary). The disc contains tv and radio spots, a Val Guest biography, theatrical trailer and a commentary from Val Guest and journalist Ted Newsom (which I haven't had time to sample yet). A nice brief essay is inside the 4-page booklet and there's a reproduction of the movie's one-sheet poster too.

Don't hesitate to buy this one, even if you've never seen the movie before. To quote a bit from the back cover:

"When the United States and the Soviet Union simultaneously set off nuclear explosions, the London Daily Express begins to report on bizarre weather changes around the world. But when the reporters dig deeper, they discover that the blasts have knocked Earth off its axis and sent it hurtling towards the sun."

As sensationalistic as that sounds, the concept is handled very realistically. Edward Judd is outstanding in the lead role, supported nicely by Janet Munro and Leo McKern.

This movie is one of the world's overlooked gems. You won't regret buying it!

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1962) has impressive credentials, given that it was co-written and directed by Val Guest, the man who brought to the screen such classic films as The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) and The Abominable Snowman (1957).

Peter Stenning (Edward Judd) is a down on his luck newspaper man, struggling with the difficulties of his recent divorce, maintaining a relationship with his young son, and taking up the drink a bit more often than he probably should, all having a negative effect on his once upwardly mobile career and his life in general. To top things off, London begins suffering a heat wave like it's rarely seen before. Not only that, but it seems all around the world strange phenomena has been occurring from flooding, earthquakes, drought, freak snowstorms, typhoons, etc. All coming on the heels of news that within the past week the Soviets and the Americans both detonated atomic devices larger than had ever been seen before.

Leo McKern plays Bill Maguire, an associate and close friend at the newspaper where Peter works, and begins to develop a theory about what's going on, but is not able to confirm anything as the government has kept a tight lid on what it knows, handing out canned responses to an ever questioning press and public. Peter, while trying to squeeze some information out of a government office, meets Jeannie Craig (Janet Munro), a worker within the office who sometimes operates the switchboard receiving calls. Peter starts putting the moves on her, but she isn't very responsive...at first.

Soon the temperature starts rising, lakes and rivers start drying up, and government enforced water rationing measures are put into effect. Facts about the current condition are sketchy as the government is still not very forthcoming, but Jeannie overhears some startling information she is hesitant to share, but is unable to keep it to herself. She shares it with Peter, after making him promise that it would only be between them, to which quickly releases the information to his newspaper. One may think Peter quite the cad, but given the enormity of the information, he really had no choice. Jeannie finds herself in hot water as she is discovered as the `leak', and Peter finds himself on the outs with Jeannie for the betrayal. What was this startling information? What is the government hiding? What's causing the all the natural catastrophes? It's not too difficult to figure out, but the film does offer a few surprises you may not see coming.

Despite the low budget, director Guest does an amazing job creating a world on the verge of an apocalyptic nightmare. The focus on the newspaper and its' staff, working feverishly to uncover facts and report accurately while the world is falling apart around their ears gave a unique view into the genre. The main characters in the film were nicely developed, but not always likeable, adding a realistic sense. Also, the documentarian style used in many of the scenes served nicely to give the viewer more of a sense of dread, as if this was something that could really happen, or was really happening. Shot primarily in black and white, there are a number of scenes at the beginning and the end in color, but use an orangish gel to create a creepy and oppressive effect. The effects are decent, but are used in a complementary effect, taking a back seat to the substantial, intelligent, sparkling and well thought out plot.

The wide screen print provided by Anchor Bay Entertainment looks beautiful, and the audio is quite good. The listing of features on this site claims a full screen format is available here, too, but I didn't see it. Special features include a commentary by director Val Guest and journalist Ted Newsom, TV spots, a theatrical trailer, radio spots, a still gallery (with a couple of pretty racy photos of Janet Munro), and a biography of director Val Guest. If you're looking for big bang effects to cover an inconsequential plot, like the more recent films Independence Day (1996) or The Core (2003), then you'll be disappointed here. If you're looking for an effective, thought-provoking science fiction thriller with lots of meat and little filler, then this is a great choice.

Cookieman108

..that has taken way too long to become available on the market.

I originally saw this in a revival theatre some 10 years ago and was literally blown away by the exceptional quality in almost all aspects of the production. It's one of the great sf films of its era, a sadly neglected hammer production that has solid acting, smart and sassy dialogue, and startlingly good special effects. It works not as campy fun (as is the case with most sf movies) but as a solid dramatic effort - rather like the Quatermass films even if it is quite different in approach. All in all, a balanced and exciting mix that entertains you from the beginning to the end, and continues to show it's intelligence in the effective conclusion. First rate.

The first time I saw this film was in the early Sixties on television and it left quite an impression on me. Every once in a while a film comes along that hits all of the correct notes. The primary reason this film is special is because it relies on story for it's power instead of on special effects. Genre is unimportant to whether a movie is true quality. Writing is always the most important issue followed closely by directing and acting. This movie has all three elements. Because of this it hooks you and keeps you hooked. I like many sci-fi flicks but this could quite possibly be the best.

This is one of my all-time favorite films, available at long last in widescreen format on DVD! Intelligent and classy, The Day the Earth Caught Fire isn't my usual so-bad-it's-good fare, but a movie you'll actually enjoy watching.

Reporter Edward Judd uncovers a nefarious cover-up on the part of the government: the Earth's been knocked out of orbit by atom bombs, but the powers that be want to keep the lid on the news to avoid mass panic...which of course happens anyway. Janet Munro sets the screen on fire as the sexy temp who spills the beans to Judd, doing her first nude scene after leaving Disney. Leo (Rumpole) McKern as Judd's fellow reporter is his excellent, lovably irascible self. Some very effective special effects

The DVD includes commentary by producer/director/co-writer Val Guest, and features tinted opening and closing scenes as shown in some theaters.

Very highly recommended.

This movie does not rely on heavy special effects. It relies on the solid story telling, via newsreels, good characters and lots of reality. Half way thru the film I was drinking lots and lots of water. Leo McKern plays a great character, a washed-up, hard-drinking, angry, newspaper reporter who happens to find out the biggest, and maybe last, story of all time. Janet Munro and Edward Jude also play major parts in the movie. At times, they are so realistic, that you forget they're actors and want to shake them to get them to listen to each other.
Commentary by Val Guest and Ted Newsom and other extras. The DVD is a must for sci-fi fans.

This is probably the most well done of all 50's sci-fi. Although it was not actually made until 1961, it was convceived by Val Guest in 1954 before both his Quatermass Experiment and Q2 excursions which are also classics in their own right. Val said he had to fight to get it shot in black and white which was a fabulous decision on his part.

I won't bother with plot but will say that the 2:35 ratio is used to is best advantage throughout and the dialogue is crisp and fast in the style of Howard Hawks 'The Thing from Another World'.

The film still holds up very well and does not seem as dated as other sci-fi excursions of the 50's. Seems modern in that this is the only 50's sci-fi I remember to include the phrase 'son of a b*%$@' and a nude shot (of the lovely Munro shot tastefully off a mirror). Also it's the only sci-fi I remember that does not cast a sheriff, military personnel or a scientist as a main character - just the alcoholic journalist which works very well.

Best line - "The human race has been poisoning itself for years with a huge smile on it's big fat face."

I guess some things will never change. Also includes a commentary with Val Guest himself and a still gallery along with the expected trailers. Don't overlook this lesser known classic, it really is one of the best!!

If you thought _Armageddeon_ and _Deep Impact_ were total garbage, and are looking for a more philosophical approach to the ultimate cataclysm, step away from the computer and GO GET THIS MOVIE! Let me correct myself; this is not a movie. This is a film. Imagine a cross between _His Girl Friday_ and _Day of the Triffids_, and you'll have a good idea of the feel of this film. Brilliant dialogue, engaging character development and a fantastic group of actors combine to make this a powerfully artistic and tought provoking study of man's place in the universe (quite literally). I can't recommend this flick enough.

This 1961 Bafta award winning film is a rare example of a sci-fi story that concentrates more on characterisation than it does on special effects, and is all the better for it. Edward Judd's alcoholic journalist feels more than just his creative juices flowing again after a chance encounter with the delectable Janet Munro, and soon, after some witty repartee, the couple are very much in love. Unfortunately, at the same time, short-sighted scientists have set the world on a collision course with the sun by detonating two nuclear bombs at opposite ends of the globe. When Munro accidentally stumbles on the truth and Judd publishes it, the world has to come to terms with climate change, water rationing, Beatnik riots, and the very real possibility of the world coming to an end. And it is the exploration of those effects on the psyche of what seem like real people that makes the film so special.

Using the usually immoral setting of a newspaper office, Val Guest brings these extraordinary events sharply into focus and creates an ethical forum into which every one of his characters throw their hat at some point. Judd's character becomes even more world-weary, Leo McKern's character puts the blame squarely on the heads of the politicians, and Janet Munro's naïve trust in authority is cruelly exposed. The film, shot in documentary style to make it as "real" as possible, questions the way the human race treats the world it lives in, and is still highly topical today. No doubt the planned Hollywood remake would improve on the original's perfectly adequate special effects but it would do well to remember the true spirit of the story. In particular, it would be worth bearing in mind that, with George W Bush's particular environmental policies, we are already heading towards the sort of climate changes Val Guest "prophesised" in this picture.

The dialogue is also the one other stand-out feature of this film. Unlike many other sci-fi films of the era it is quick, witty, and extremely naturalistic - once again helping to keep the more "unlikely occurrences" of the plot as believable as possible. This is a truly British treat of a film that breaks the mould of all other sci-fi movies, and should be in everyone's video collection.

The DVD itself is also excellent. Anchor Bay have learnt their lesson in terms of the commentary track, as this time the director is coupled with a probing journalist (Ted Newsom) who knows a fair share about the film himself. Not that Val Guest isn't a fine commentator, it's just that, with Newsom's help, he talks more specifically about the details the viewer would like to know. As a result, the commentary is a wholly enjoyable one that seems to fly by. All the trailers, tv and radio spots are here also, but particularly impressive is the stills gallery and Val Guest biography notes, which are both extremely comprehensive. The picture quality of the DVD is extremely good for a film of this age and, most importantly, the original tinted effect has been restored at the beginning and end of the picture (to indicate heat), making the DVD a must buy.

The only negative is the sound quality, which is poor to say the least, but this does not spoil the overall viewing experience too much. Anyone interested in finding out more about Val Guest should read his autobiography "So you want to be in Pictures", which had its release celebrated at the Barbican Theatre, London, by the man himself. I attended the event, as well as a viewing of this film, and was particularly enthralled by the many poignant and witty anecdotes he had to tell about his illustrious career in movie making. In "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" he is at the peak of his skills in brilliant film making.

I'm rating this five stars in spite of the black and white film and the primitive special effects some of these kid reviewers complain about, because this is an adult science fiction story that isn't seen anymore. Allow for its age and enjoy the real humans in this story. And read the daily papers.