The Day the Earth Caught Fire

Watch The Day the Earth Caught Fire

"The INCREDIBLE becomes Real! The IMPOSSIBLE becomes Fact! The UNBELIEVABLE becomes True!"
  • NR
  • 1961
  • 1 hr 38 min
  • 7.2  (6,057)

In the movie The Day the Earth Caught Fire from 1961, two separate nuclear tests conducted by the United States and the Soviet Union start to have disastrous consequences on the earth's weather patterns. The first test which was carried out by the US in the Nevada desert causes the earth to tilt off its axis, bringing about extreme heat waves and hurricanes that wreak havoc on the planet.

The movie follows the story of Peter Stenning, played by Edward Judd, a journalist working for a London newspaper who becomes involved in the investigation into the changing weather patterns. Peter, a hard-drinking and abrasive journalist, is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage when he is sent to cover a story about a heat wave in London.

While on his assignment, he meets Jeannie Craig, played by Janet Munro, who works as a typist for the newspaper. The two strike up a romantic relationship amidst the chaos of the weather events that are occurring around them. Peter, however, remains focused on uncovering the truth about the cause of the disastrous weather changes.

As the story develops, Peter and his colleagues start to uncover evidence that the tests carried out by the US and the Soviet Union may be causing the extreme weather patterns that are threatening to destroy the earth. With the help of a scientist named Dr. Vernon, played by Leo McKern, they begin to piece together how the nuclear tests have caused the earth to move off its axis.

The movie is a unique combination of science fiction and social commentary, as it forces us to confront the possibility that mankind could bring about its own extinction through its use of nuclear weapons. It also raises questions about the responsibility of the media and the government to deal with the threat of nuclear weapons.

The film is shot in black and white which adds to the sense of doom and foreboding that pervades the story. The bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape that is portrayed in the film is a stark reminder of the dangers that nuclear weapons pose to humanity.

The performances of the three leads are outstanding, with Edward Judd, in particular, standing out for his portrayal of the hard-drinking reporter, Peter. Janet Munro is also excellent as Jeannie, bringing a warmth and humanity to the role which helps to ground the film.

The directing of the movie by Val Guest is exemplary, with his use of close-ups and long takes adding to the sense of tension and urgency in the story. The special effects used in the movie are also well done, particularly given the limited technology available at the time.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire is a must-see for anyone interested in science fiction or social commentary. It is a powerful warning about the dangers of nuclear weapons and a reminder that we must do everything in our power to prevent their use. The film has stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1961.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire is a 1961 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Description
Where to Watch The Day the Earth Caught Fire
The Day the Earth Caught Fire is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download, buy and rent on demand at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and YouTube VOD. Some platforms allow you to rent The Day the Earth Caught Fire for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1961
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 38 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (6,057)
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