In an age of multi-million dollar productions that use large amounts of CG and little story, it is good to remember how cinema has progressed.
Concerning the realm of science-fiction, the 1950's and the early 60's is still best of the genre.
EVEN TODAY !!
And in regards to any particular film, "The Day the Earth Caught Fire", is by far the best of the best.
PERIOD !!!
Try comparing this film with a current blockbuster like "The Day After Tomorrow".
YOU CAN'T !!!
Mind you there are both great films, but in terms of story, production values and the power to generate blind terror, few can match this imaginative British production, which admittedly lacked money, but did use what it had to remarkable effect; as well a great cast and brilliant use of B&W cinematography.
The movie begins near the end, (which I promise not to reveal here), as a reporter, Peter Stennig, walks through downtown London, which is turning into a desert wasteland under a blazing sun; a situation we will learn later had been brought about by nuclear testing impossibly gone awry.
In his story for what may be the FINAL EDITION of his paper, he recounts how three months before, the weather had begun to change after a double nuclear test by the superpowers at the North and South Poles.
Torrential rains, followed by summer-like heat, a freak heat mist and a powerful cyclone; all along the temperature rising steadily to 145 degrees, creating a severe drought worldwide.
The film's plot is convincingly sold to the audience with minimal special effects and newsreel footage; as well as costume changes, electric fans and heavy perspiring by the cast.
Of course, we learn the enormity of the situation when it is revealed that the bomb tests have changed the earth's axis and effected the earth's climate.
But, that is only the beginning.
In between, we are involved with the main characters of the story, such as Stennig, a once great reporter who has lost his wife to another man, and has taken to drink; and his fatherly mentor and best friend who covers for him.
Then there is the woman who enters his life, while researching the weather story, who turns out to be his salvation, just as it seems that the world is about to end.
The fun of sci-fi in this era is the knowledge that there is never enough money or support to do it right; so we watch how the production team achieves their results, ususally with cheesy results.
While those limitation are apparent here, they have succeeded in bringing about a masterpiece.
In its power to frighten as well as entertain, there is no comparison, and it make us think as well.
While global warming may not be preventable, nuclear testing and its power to pollute the environment as well as make WWIII our 'last hooray' is well known, and while the idea that testing may tilt the earths's axis or even worse may sound far-fetched, to a 1960's audience living under the threat of total destruction, it may not be that improbable at all.
And of course, that is what makes good cinema !!!
All in all, a great film.
Concerning the realm of science-fiction, the 1950's and the early 60's is still best of the genre.
EVEN TODAY !!
And in regards to any particular film, "The Day the Earth Caught Fire", is by far the best of the best.
PERIOD !!!
Try comparing this film with a current blockbuster like "The Day After Tomorrow".
YOU CAN'T !!!
Mind you there are both great films, but in terms of story, production values and the power to generate blind terror, few can match this imaginative British production, which admittedly lacked money, but did use what it had to remarkable effect; as well a great cast and brilliant use of B&W cinematography.
The movie begins near the end, (which I promise not to reveal here), as a reporter, Peter Stennig, walks through downtown London, which is turning into a desert wasteland under a blazing sun; a situation we will learn later had been brought about by nuclear testing impossibly gone awry.
In his story for what may be the FINAL EDITION of his paper, he recounts how three months before, the weather had begun to change after a double nuclear test by the superpowers at the North and South Poles.
Torrential rains, followed by summer-like heat, a freak heat mist and a powerful cyclone; all along the temperature rising steadily to 145 degrees, creating a severe drought worldwide.
The film's plot is convincingly sold to the audience with minimal special effects and newsreel footage; as well as costume changes, electric fans and heavy perspiring by the cast.
Of course, we learn the enormity of the situation when it is revealed that the bomb tests have changed the earth's axis and effected the earth's climate.
But, that is only the beginning.
In between, we are involved with the main characters of the story, such as Stennig, a once great reporter who has lost his wife to another man, and has taken to drink; and his fatherly mentor and best friend who covers for him.
Then there is the woman who enters his life, while researching the weather story, who turns out to be his salvation, just as it seems that the world is about to end.
The fun of sci-fi in this era is the knowledge that there is never enough money or support to do it right; so we watch how the production team achieves their results, ususally with cheesy results.
While those limitation are apparent here, they have succeeded in bringing about a masterpiece.
In its power to frighten as well as entertain, there is no comparison, and it make us think as well.
While global warming may not be preventable, nuclear testing and its power to pollute the environment as well as make WWIII our 'last hooray' is well known, and while the idea that testing may tilt the earths's axis or even worse may sound far-fetched, to a 1960's audience living under the threat of total destruction, it may not be that improbable at all.
And of course, that is what makes good cinema !!!
All in all, a great film.