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| The Day The Earth Caught Fire [1961] | ![The Day The Earth Caught Fire [1961]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516WAP63BBL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Val Guest
Actors: Edward Judd, Janet Munro, Leo Mckern, Michael Goodliffe, Bernard Braden
Studio: Network
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £5.98
You Save: £14.01 (70%)
New (5) from £5.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 3641
Format: Black & White, Pal, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Running Time: 99 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5027626213848
ASIN: B00005NMVV
Theatrical Release Date: May 1962
Release Date: August 27, 2001
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
"Sweltering stuff November 28, 2008
Some of the early sixties stuff appears dated at times, and I suppose this film does too to a degree. But then it is a sixties film with sixties characters. The Editor of the newspaper is superb - very convincing and the rest of the cast play there part too. Edward Judd was the lead man however and I have often wondered what happened to him. And Janet Monroe who was one of Britains hot actresses at the time adds the glamour. There has been enough said about this film in other reviews already and I have only done my bit to add five stars for the excellent entertainment this film provided!
Before Greenpeace was invented... November 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I wonder if Al Gore has seen this film? 'An Inconvenient Truth' was a worthy attempt to highlight the plight of our fragile planet that ultimately failed because it contained too may factual inaccuracies and was delivered by a man who subsequently served Mexican Sea Bass (one of the rarest fish in the world) to several hundred guests at his daughter's wedding.
Although blighted by a 50's sci-fi B-movie title, The Day the Earth Caught Fire is in actual fact also a film about environmental disaster. The year is 1961 and, it is implied, excessive nuclear weapons testing all around the world has caused a significant shift in the Earth's axis meaning we are now considerably closer to the Sun than all but the most hard core tanning addict would feel comfortable with.
The story is seen through the eyes of employees at a Fleet Street newspaper office and this provides an interesting device to show not only the impact on a human level but also, as they have the task of reporting what's happening, on a wider scale too. We get to see the effects of what the individual will suffer AND we hear about how the authorities intend to deal with it.
This is not the only reason why this movie is so good though. The Acting is excellent from all involved, Leo McKern, Eddie Judd and Janet Munro in particular. The Script is word perfect and the story moves at just the right pace to keep you gripped without skipping any of the science stuff. And that ending will haunt you for many nights after seeing it!
I think that the lesson here, beyond the currently fashionable environmental issue, is that there are many examples out there such as this film to prove that the UK used to make good films. Why we forgot I have no idea but it's not like film makers can't watch them again, learn what is required and repeat the formula. Instead though they want to churn out the same Guy Richie clones, bodice ripping period romances and Hugh Grant style foppishness instead. The National Lottery has a lot to answer for.
That dear reader is my half baked rant over for this review!
Watch The Day The Earth Caught Fire, it is excellent.
A modern movie January 23, 2008
This 1960s sci-fi is a compelling and interesting watch. You are sucked into period London and the lives of the young reporters, by the combination of the intriguing story and the broken life of the the leading man. The film addresses the 'do it now, think later' nature of man and some key issues are raised for the time, such as the nuclear weapons programs and the fear of the cold war. However the film still has a message for man of today, although I'm sure unintended by the director. It contains warnings of the effect of climate change and melting the polar ice caps, a very modern problem. The combination of enjoyable story and thought provoking subjects make this a five star film.
A Hot Film September 30, 2007
This is simply the best Sci-Fi movie ever made (and that's coming from someone who has been a Sci-Fi nut since 1959!) It was also President Kennedy's favourite movie.
The Earth is knocked off its axis by two massive H-Bombs exploded at the same time on opposite sides of the planet, thus causing it to fall towards the sun.
It's the story of a reporter and his girlfriend trying to find out what has happened and then reporting it to the world (whatever happened to Edward Judd? He was a good actor)
Good story, good effects, good acting and interesting ending.
Buy and enjoy
Hot, hot, hot! August 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In an episode of "Cheers" Norm and Cliff are arguing at the bar about the sweatiest films ever made. I think they decide the winner is "Cool Hand Luke". There is sadly no mention of this simply superb film "The Day The Earth Caught Fire"! Shame on those beer guzzling anoraks for having this gap in their movie knowledge.
Nuclear tests have sent the Earth heading towards the Sun, and as the temperature rises so does the tension in this masterfully created and executed story. The film focuses on the London reporters covering the catastrophe itself, and there are simply dozens of scenes of old Fleet Street press offices, all cigarette smoke and hassled editors. Edward Judd and Leo McKern are ideally cast as the leads, and they are well supported throughout.
And, set as it is in the 1960s, all the men wear suits and ties and thus sweat profusely. Was the film EVER seen in Boston?? I think we should be told...
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