The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) ( The Day the Sky Caught Fire )

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) (Blu-Ray) (*)

$38.99

Alternate Title: The Day the Sky Caught Fire
Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Dolby Linear PCM )
English ( Mono )
English ( Subtitles )
German ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
German ( DTS-HD Master Audio )
German ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Germany ( Blu-Ray/Region A/B/C )

Running Time:
99 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (2.35:1)

Special Features:
2-DVD Set
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Collectors Edition
Commentary
Documentary
Featurette
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Special Edition
Trailer(s)
Booklet
Blu-Ray & DVD Combo

Movie filmed in 1961 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Val Guest

Written By:
Wolf Mankowitz

Actors:
Janet Munro ..... Jeannie Craig
Leo McKern ..... Bill Maguire
Edward Judd ..... Peter Stenning
Michael Goodliffe ..... 'Jacko', Night editor
Bernard Braden ..... News editor
Reginald Beckwith ..... Harry
Gene Anderson ..... May
Renée Asherson ..... Angela
Arthur Christiansen ..... Editor
Austin Trevor ..... Sir John Kelly
Edward Underdown ..... Sanderson
Ian Ellis ..... Michael Stenning

Synopsis:

Despite its come-on title, The Day the Earth Caught Fire is an intelligent, disturbing piece of speculative fiction. Through the eyes of British reporter Peter Stenning (Edward Judd), we learn that both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. have simultaneously set off nuclear explosions to test their efficiency. The twin blasts have caused the Earth to go off its axis. The result is a disastrous upheaval in the balance of nature; floods and fires being the principal plagues. With the end of the world staring everyone in the face, chaos reigns. The only hope lies in another massive nuclear explosion, which will hopefully rebalance the Earth. The film ends ambiguously, with viewers allowed to decide for themselves whether or not the world has been saved. In the original prints of The Day the Earth Caught Fire, the opening and closing reels were tinted yellow, representing the scorching heat beating down on the frightened populace.

When the USA and Russia simultaneously test atomic bombs, the earth is knocked off its axis and set on a collision course with the sun. As the planet inexorably heats up and society slowly breaks down, Peter Stenning (Edward Judd), a washed-up Daily Express reporter, breaks the story and sets about investigating the government cover-up. Made at a time when the nuclear threat of the Cold War loomed large, The Day the Earth Caught Fire is an expertly crafted sci-fi film that boasts a BAFTA winning screenplay, gritty characters and a vision of end-of-days London that really burns. Also starring Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey) and Janet Munro, and directed by veteran filmmaker Val Guest (The Quatermass Xperiment).

When the Americans test a nuclear weapon at the South Pole at the exact moment that the Soviets are testing their own weapon at the North, the earth's axis is jolted out of alignment, causing catastrophic changes in global weather patterns. Additionally, the earth has been dislodged from its orbit, and is now hurtling towards the sun. It's a race against time as the world prepares for additional nuclear detonations which could restore life as we know it.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 03 January, 2023.