The Day The Earth Stood Still

When a flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C., the United States Army quickly surrounds it. A humanoid emerges and announces that he comes “in peace and with good will”. When he unexpectedly opens a small device, he is shot and wounded by a nervous soldier.

A tall robot emerges from the saucer and quickly disintegrates the Army’s weapons. The alien orders the robot, Gort, to desist. He explains that the now-broken device was a gift for the President of the United States that would have enabled him “to study life on the other planets”.

The alien, Klaatu, is taken to Walter Reed Army Hospital. After surgery, he uses a salve to quickly heal his wound. Meanwhile, the Army tries but is unable to enter the saucer; Gort stands outside, silent and unmoving.

Klaatu tells the President’s secretary, Mr. Harley, that he has a message that must be delivered to all the world’s leaders simultaneously. Harley tells him that in the current world situation this is impossible. Klaatu proposes to spend time among ordinary humans to better understand their “unreasoning suspicions and attitudes”. Harley rejects the proposal and Klaatu is kept under guard.

Klaatu is able to escape and moves into a boarding house as “Mr. Carpenter”, using the name (“Maj. Carpenter”) on the dry cleaner’s tag on a suit he acquired. Among the residents are young widow Helen Benson and her son Bobby. Klaatu becomes a mentor to Bobby. Helen’s suitor, Tom Stevens, becomes jealous of this “Mr. Carpenter”. 

The boy takes Klaatu on a tour of the city, including a visit to his father’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery; Klaatu learns that most of the deceased are soldiers killed in wars. They also visit the Lincoln Memorial. Klaatu asks Bobby, “Who is the greatest living person?”

Bobby suggests Professor Barnhardt. They visit his home, but he is out. Klaatu enters the house. Barnhardt’s blackboard is covered with equations. Klaatu adds to them and, after being discovered by the housekeeper, leaves his contact information.

That evening, a government agent escorts Klaatu to Barnhardt. Klaatu tells Barnhardt that the people of other planets are concerned, now that humanity has developed rockets and rudimentary atomic power. He states that if his message is ignored, Earth will be “eliminated”. Barnhardt agrees to gather scientists from around the world at the saucer; he also suggests that Klaatu demonstrate his power.

Klaatu returns to his spaceship, unaware that Bobby is following him. Bobby watches as Gort knocks out two guards to help Klaatu reenter the saucer. Bobby runs home and tells Helen. She does not believe him, but Tom is suspicious.

The next day, for half an hour, starting at noon (in Washington), all electrical equipment on Earth ceases to operate, except for essential services, such as hospitals and airplanes in flight.

Klaatu learns that Bobby watched him the previous night. He visits Helen at work, reveals his purpose on Earth, and asks that she not betray him. Helen asks Tom to keep Klaatu’s identity secret, but, already in the process of alerting the military, he refuses to listen.

Helen and Klaatu rush to Barnhardt’s home. They hope that Barnhardt can hide Klaatu until the meeting later that evening. Klaatu tells Helen that, should anything happen to him, she must go to Gort and say, “Klaatu barada nikto“.

The Army tracks them down and hem in their taxi. Klaatu is shot dead, and his body is taken to a nearby police station cell. Helen rushes to the saucer and speaks the phrase. Hearing Klaatu’s words, Gort retrieves Klaatu’s body, and revives him, though Klaatu tells Helen that his revival is only temporary.

Klaatu tells Barnhardt’s assembled scientists that an interplanetary organization has created a police force of invincible robots like Gort. “In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us”. Klaatu concludes, “Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer”. Klaatu and Gort depart in the saucer.