USCCB - (Film and Broadcasting) - Day the Earth Stood Still, The

Day the Earth Stood Still, The

Alphabetical Listing of Movie Reviews

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Day the Earth Stood Still, The -- Science fiction classic about a humane alien (Michael Rennie) landing a flying saucer in Washington, D.C., on a mission to warn the world of self-annihilation if wars continue, makes the point by demonstrating his superior powers and then, with some help from a widow (Patricia Neal) and her boy, departs in peace. Director Robert Wise treats the fantasy premise in sober, underplayed fashion, giving the anti-war theme unusual credibility by relying more on the viewer's imagination and intelligence than on the hokum of the special-effects department. Unsettling atmosphere of menace and some stylized violence. (A-II) (br) ( 1951 )

These movies have been evaluated for artistic merit and moral suitability by the media reviewing division of Catholic News Service. The reviews include the CNS rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

A-I -- general patronage;
A-II -- adults and adolescents;
A-III -- adults;
L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
O -- morally offensive.

Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.