The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 Film) Literary Elements

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 Film) Literary Elements

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.

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