I would consider this a must see flick for any fan of the sci-fi genre of for movies in general. Yes, it is not perfect. Every movie has it's flaws.
Let's start with the story. An alien from another world comes to Earth and lands in Washington D.C. Along he has brought a huge and scary looking robot. What exactly he want's no one knows. He claim he comes in peace and demands to speak with the leaders. All the leaders... Of the whole world... At once. His mission is to speak of peace and tell the leaders and the people of Earth that as long as they fight among themselves nobody cares, but if they should attempt to bring their war eager habits into space and thereby threaten other planets measures will be taken against Earth to ensure future peace in the rest of space.
The script is good, but maybe a little less conversation and a little more action would have pleased. Almost the whole movie is basically talk and so it may be a little slow. Yet, this makes it a "simple" movie, a plot focused movie and it's this that makes this film stand out from most other sci-fi films at the time and even still to day. There are also a couple of other minor aspect of the script that could've been done different and perhaps better. However, the story and idea behind the movie was and still is original and good and you get caught up with it. All in all this makes a good result.
One thing that stands out is the visual. First of all the cinematography with good lightning and nice shots and then there is the excellent special effects. The opening and closing of the spaceship is looking good and the disappearance of various items is really impressive. Then there is the design. The exterior and interior of the spaceship is really good looking and well made. The lightning in the corridor is really nice and it all joins forces and becomes a really good looking movie.
The actors does a good job. Michael Rennie is memorable as Klaatu and Billy Gray is good as Bobby Benson. Also Patricia Neal is good as Helen Benson. Good believable acting in that good old style.
Bernard Herrmann's score is good. It lifts the scenes to a whole new level, bringing a nice sci-fi feel to them. The all over sound editing is quite good.
What makes this a must see is maybe not as much it's story although it is a good and classic one and has a very relevant message. What, in my mind as a film in general and also a sci-fi fan, makes this a must see it's the influence it has had on the sci-fi genre. At the time it brought sci-fi to a new level. This movie and aspects of it has made way for and been inspiration for other films and series.
Let's start with the story. An alien from another world comes to Earth and lands in Washington D.C. Along he has brought a huge and scary looking robot. What exactly he want's no one knows. He claim he comes in peace and demands to speak with the leaders. All the leaders... Of the whole world... At once. His mission is to speak of peace and tell the leaders and the people of Earth that as long as they fight among themselves nobody cares, but if they should attempt to bring their war eager habits into space and thereby threaten other planets measures will be taken against Earth to ensure future peace in the rest of space.
The script is good, but maybe a little less conversation and a little more action would have pleased. Almost the whole movie is basically talk and so it may be a little slow. Yet, this makes it a "simple" movie, a plot focused movie and it's this that makes this film stand out from most other sci-fi films at the time and even still to day. There are also a couple of other minor aspect of the script that could've been done different and perhaps better. However, the story and idea behind the movie was and still is original and good and you get caught up with it. All in all this makes a good result.
One thing that stands out is the visual. First of all the cinematography with good lightning and nice shots and then there is the excellent special effects. The opening and closing of the spaceship is looking good and the disappearance of various items is really impressive. Then there is the design. The exterior and interior of the spaceship is really good looking and well made. The lightning in the corridor is really nice and it all joins forces and becomes a really good looking movie.
The actors does a good job. Michael Rennie is memorable as Klaatu and Billy Gray is good as Bobby Benson. Also Patricia Neal is good as Helen Benson. Good believable acting in that good old style.
Bernard Herrmann's score is good. It lifts the scenes to a whole new level, bringing a nice sci-fi feel to them. The all over sound editing is quite good.
What makes this a must see is maybe not as much it's story although it is a good and classic one and has a very relevant message. What, in my mind as a film in general and also a sci-fi fan, makes this a must see it's the influence it has had on the sci-fi genre. At the time it brought sci-fi to a new level. This movie and aspects of it has made way for and been inspiration for other films and series.