Rating: NNN
The Day The Earth Stood Still: 2-Disc Special Edition (Fox, 1951) D: Robert Wise, w/ Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal. Rating: NNN DVD package: NNNNN
The big-budget remake hits theatres December 12, so Fox has whipped out the original and loaded it with new goodies and old. There’s a doc on Edmund North, who’s got a screenplay credit on the new version, one on the film as metaphor and a fun history of the flying saucer phenomenon.
Disc one has two very good commentaries, one with director Robert Wise, the other focused on Bernard Herrmann’s hugely influential score, which made the theremin a must-have science fiction sound.
The tale of the alien (Michael Rennie) whose peaceful mission is met with earthling gunfire is still enjoyable for its crisp pace, moody visuals, good effects and that wonderful score.
EXTRAS Disc one: two commentaries, making-of doc, theremin doc and demonstration, isolated score track, story reading. Full frame, b&w. English, French, Spanish audio. English, Spanish subtitles. Disc two: appreciation, flying saucer, Harry Bates and Edmund North docs. Widescreen and full frame.
