The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
May. 2nd, 2009 11:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Well, at least I got a nice copy of the original when I purchased the recent remake, so my money wasn't a total waste.
I'm gratified that this film ranks 7th on Arthur C. Clarke's top-10 science fiction film list, because even 58 years later - coincidentally my age - it's just as relevant now as it was then. It's a tight film, without a second wasted, and made with the intention that it would
a) be as realistic as the technology allowed, and
b) transmit the message that mankind needs to get rid of its violent nature if it cares to survive.
"Klaatu barada nikto!" is one of the most famous lines ever uttered in a science-fiction film, but was not the only thing that Klaatu said. The remainder of the dialog is:
Gort! Deglet ovrosco! (Said after Klaatu is shot the first time)
Imray Klaatu naruwak.
Makro pluvau/pluval, baratu lokdeniso impeklis.
Yavo tari axo/axel bugletio barengi degas. (Klaatu's instructions - ostensibly to his Federation - for his "demonstration of power"; this linguist's best transcription. Two words are nearly impossible to pinpoint without a script or screenplay. You can listen to the dialog here.)
Klaatu barada nikto!
Gort, berengo. Probably much like "Mirab, his sails unfurled," i.e. Gort, let's blow this bait shack.
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I'm gratified that this film ranks 7th on Arthur C. Clarke's top-10 science fiction film list, because even 58 years later - coincidentally my age - it's just as relevant now as it was then. It's a tight film, without a second wasted, and made with the intention that it would
a) be as realistic as the technology allowed, and
b) transmit the message that mankind needs to get rid of its violent nature if it cares to survive.
"Klaatu barada nikto!" is one of the most famous lines ever uttered in a science-fiction film, but was not the only thing that Klaatu said. The remainder of the dialog is:
Gort! Deglet ovrosco! (Said after Klaatu is shot the first time)
Imray Klaatu naruwak.
Makro pluvau/pluval, baratu lokdeniso impeklis.
Yavo tari axo/axel bugletio barengi degas. (Klaatu's instructions - ostensibly to his Federation - for his "demonstration of power"; this linguist's best transcription. Two words are nearly impossible to pinpoint without a script or screenplay. You can listen to the dialog here.)
Klaatu barada nikto!
Gort, berengo. Probably much like "Mirab, his sails unfurled," i.e. Gort, let's blow this bait shack.
If you use Firefox 3 or Orca, try typing "about:robots" in the URL bar, and see what you get.
