3 Faith Lessons from Classic Movies: A Sci-Fi Series – Pt. 1 The Day the Earth Stood Still
In July, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) ran a series of science-fiction films on Tuesdays. Hobbits enjoy a good turn of the fantastic, so I looked at three of these movies that have lessons in faith. These movies are repeated fairly often on TCM, and are also available on other channels (as well as for purchase), and I think all hobbits (and humans too) should watch with them their age 10+ children.
To Know Before You Watch:
Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Rating: G
Age Suggestion: 10+ (Any younger and this movie may not hold their attention)
Running Time: 1 hr. and 32 min.
Release Date: September 18, 1951
Stars: 5 out of 5
Warnings: Nothing in this movie is very graphic or intense by today’s standards, despite the subject matter.
Quick Summary:
A strange spacecraft descends on Washington, D.C. a human looking alien and a tall robot emerge from the flying saucer. What is his purpose? Is this an alien invasion? How will the people of earth react? You can have a lot of fun looking for the Christian parallels.
The score is a Bernard Herrmann score and is wonderfully powerful and eerie. The effects still hold up fairly well after almost 70 years. It is well cast and acted. Not a lot of character development in the story – the story is propelled by who the characters are, rather than their growth or who they become. And it is a great story; it can keep you on the edge of your seat, even after you have seen it over many years, as I have. Multiple generations have wondered exactly what “Klaatu barada nikto” means. And pretty much any serious (and even some not so serious) science fiction movies since owe a debt to “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.
Faith in the Movie:
If I told you that you were going to be seeing a movie with your kids where:
- A stranger descends from heaven to bring peace to the earth;
- The stranger is rejected but finds a few faithful followers;
- The stranger’s name is “Carpenter” and his initials are J.C.;
- The stranger is betrayed to the authorities for money and fame;
- The stranger is killed; and
- The stranger is then resurrected and ascends back into heaven
– what would you think? Think you are watching science-fiction?
Well, the Christian symbolism is obvious.
It is so obvious that the movie censor board was afraid people would be offended, and made the studio add a line that Klaatu’s resurrection was only temporary in an attempt to diffuse any concerns. Whether the writers, producers, directors, etc. were Christian is another question – regardless, they overlaid the movie with pretty overt symbolism. And one of these themes, as mentioned, concerns faith.
Can faith save the world? And not just from a giant robot? The world today is still full of fears. Where do we turn to? Where do we place our faith? Are we developing a closer personal relationship with God? How powerful is faith? What I hope you can take away from “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is 3 faith lessons that are applicable to out everyday life.
1) Who and what you have faith in is a tremendously important decision.
When faced with fear, who or what did people trust? Where did they place their faith? Television, newspapers, (for today we would add social media), the various government authorities. A child (Bobby) and his mother (Helen Benson) – and then a scientist (Tom Stevens) – are the few who have faith that Klaatu is peaceful. Bobby and Helen are convinced because of a personal relationship that develops during the movie. There are plenty of powerful people that disagree with them- but that does not sway their faith.
2) Faith is powerful
Because Helen chooses to have faith in Klaatu rather than the voices that are deceiving everyone else, she is given the famous instructions “Klaatu barada nikto”. Then, in a “faith that can move mountains” moment, delivers these instructions that end up saving the world from destruction in the most climactic scene of the movie.
Our faith is more than just something we say, it’s something that directs our life. What we choose to believe steers more in our lives than we are probably willing to admit.
3) Times of crisis can show where your true faith and hope lie
The late 40’s and early 50’s were a time when people were genuinely afraid that there would be nuclear attacks and a Soviet invasion. One way to relieve those fears was to go to the movies – and science fiction movies helped with these fears. The fear of nuclear warfare was generally seen in giant radioactive monsters, and the fear of Soviet invasion was dealt with in alien invasions. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” broke with the mold and presented a peaceful alien. But even the peaceful alien evoked a tremendous amount of fear.
The fear from that time period still permeates society today, although in different forms. But one thing remains consistent. No matter the threat of nuclear war, terrorism, or political upheaval- hope can be found. When everything normal is torn away, when we’re faced with an unexpected crisis, what’s left? What do we lean on and into? Who or what do we hope in?
Discussion Questions
1. Have kids look for the Christian symbolism.
2. What does the movie tell us about human nature? Some interesting things to discuss would be fear versus curiosity; and fear versus faith. How do do they play out in this movie?
3. How do you decide if you are going to trust someone?
4. How has the world changed in the past seventy years. How is it the same? Have people changed a lot or a little?
Check out some of our other Sci-Fi reviews:
–2 Friendship lessons from the Space Boy novels
–Gear (Graphic Novel) Review
–Men in Black: International Review
–Godzilla: King of the Monsters Review
Check out The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) here.
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Future reviews planned are for “Forbidden Planet” and “War of the Worlds”
What other classics would you like to see reviewed and see 3 faith lessons from?
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