Director
Robert Wise
Leading Actors/Actresses
Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Hugh Marlowe, Same Jaffe
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi
Language
English
Awards
Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Film Promoting International Understanding
Date of Release
1951
Producer
Julian Blaustein
Setting and Context
Washington D.C. during an alien landing -- current day 1951
Narrator and Point of View
POV is that of Klaatu
Tone and Mood
Dramatic and Suspenseful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is Klaatu; antagonists are the American people.
Major Conflict
Klaatu has landed on earth in order to determine if humans are capable of remaining peaceful. If not, he must destroy them.
Climax
Klaatu is killed, but resurrected once Helen speaks the words Klaatu asked her to say to Gort who brings him back to life. Klaatu addresses an assembly of scientists to let them know that the indestructible robots such as Gort will destroy earth if they continue on their path of violence and death, and that it is up to the people of earth to decide their fate.
Foreshadowing
Klaatu giving Helen specific words to speak to Gort upon his death foreshadows Klaatu will be killed.
Understatement
It is understated that Gort will not destroy earth.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
N/A
Allusions
The film is an allusion to the people of earth using violence against one another for power and that it will lead to the ultimate destruction of the planet.
Paradox
Klaatu is killed but paradoxically when he comes back to life gives humans another opportunity to decide their course rather than destroy them.
Parallelism
Klaatu being killed parallels the initial shot fired by a soldier at his arrival.
