'The Day The Earth Stood Still', a true classic of the science fiction film genre and, arguably, one of the most literate science fiction films ever, has been released in an outstanding special edition laser disc from Fox Video. Originally released in 1951, the film was directed by Robert Wise with a screenplay by Edmund North. Though North's screenplay is credited as based on a short story by Harry Bates, we find out in the supplements that this work actually bears little or no resemblence to Bate's original story titled 'Farewell to the Master'. Also notable is Bernard Herrman's excellent score. The film stars Michael Rennie as Klaatu, the representative of other, more advanced, planetary societies, sent to Earth to deliver a stern warning about the possibility of Man spreading his war-like ways beyond his Earthly bounds. The cast also includes Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe and Billy Gray.
I must say, Fox has done an exceptional job with this special edition. Starting with a near perfect video transfer of this 45 year old film, throughout the informative and interesting supplements, even including the very attractive jacket design. Anyone who has seen the previous disc transfer from Fox is well aware that this was, in fact, quite a good looking disc in it's own right. Time, and technology, marches on and the 'whizzes with the knobs' have been able to improve on an already fine job. The black and white image is razor sharp while retaining exceptional clarity and smoothness. Contrast, so important to a black and white film, is also improved.
The mono soundtrack is, considering the source material's age, excellent. Background hiss is nearly unnoticable and there are virtually no clicks or pops so often heard on older recordings (NoNoise?). Dialog is clear and clean, but the biggest benefit has to be to Bernard Herrman's terrific score. Some, like producer Julian Blaustein, argue that much of this film's suspense and atmosphere can be directly credited to Herrman. Who am I to disagree. One can enjoy Mr. Herrman's work to it's fullest with this disc.
The 92 minute film is presented on one CLV disc containing 37 chapters. Following the movie on side two is the theatrical trailer and some Movietone News footage. Accompanying the movie is a second disc devoted to supplemental material, the bulk of which is a 70 minute documentary titled 'Making the Earth Stand Still'. This consists mainly of intercut interviews with Robert Wise, producer Julian Blaustein, contemporary film director Joe Dante, actors Patricia Neal and Billy Gray, and Herrman biographer Steven Smith. Also included is some of the memorabilia from the film with comments by the collector's themselves. Following the documentary on side two in CAV is literally hundreds of stills. The photos are grouped as production stills, scenes from the film, portraits, and sets. Next comes reproductions of both the American and British pressbooks, preliminary sketches (aka, storyboards), memos from Fox honcho Darryl Zanuck, blueprints of the spaceship and finally, the entire shooting script. In addition to all this is a running commentary by Robert Wise and Nicholas Meyer during the movie on analog channel one.
So how much is this technological treasure going to set me back, you ask. I mean, this is Fox Video, right? The answer is $69.95. And considering the contents of this set, a very reasonable $69.95, in my estimation. Fox Video has come quite a way from the $70 discs with no extras, mediocre transfers and chapter markers you could count on one hand. This new edition of 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' is a set I can glady recommend without reservation. Hopefully, this trend will continue. It's good for us. It's good for Fox. It's good for the format. But, if there's anyone out there that simply must have the biggest and the bestest, Fox also offers a limited edition of this set that, in addition to what I have already described, includes Robert Wise's personal autograph, a book on Wise's career and a gold CD of the score. Priced at $149.95, only the 'hard-core' need apply.
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