The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

When the USA and Russia test atomic bombs at the same time, it knocks the Earth out its orbit and sends it spiraling toward the Sun.

Director:

Val Guest

Writers:

Wolf Mankowitz (written for the screen by), Val Guest (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Janet Munro, Leo McKern, Edward Judd

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Janet Munro	...	Jeannie Craig
Leo McKern	...	Bill Maguire
Edward Judd	...	Peter Stenning
Michael Goodliffe	...	Jacko Jackson the Night Editor
Bernard Braden	...	Davis the News Editor
Reginald Beckwith	...	Harry
Gene Anderson	...	May
Renée Asherson	...	Angela
Arthur Christiansen	...	Jeff Jefferson the Editor
Austin Trevor	...	Sir John Kelly
Edward Underdown	...	Sanderson
Ian Ellis	...	Michael Stenning

Storyline

Hysterical panic has engulfed the world after the United States and the Soviet Union simultaneously detonate nuclear devices and have caused the orbit of the Earth to alter, sending it hurtling towards the sun.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | disaster | newsroom | newspaper | alcoholic | 

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Taglines:

THE PICTURE THAT GIVES YOU A FRONT SEAT TO THE MOST JOLTING EVENTS OF TOMORROW...TODAY! (original U.S. print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

...e la Terra prese fuoco

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (with tinted sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At about 45:20 into the movie the actress portraying Jeannie Craig (Janet Munro) steps from the shower and wraps herself in a towel. The image in the mirror at the right of the screen reflects her nude breasts. This movie was shown here in America in the early sixties. Although that type of scene was common in Europe; one wonders if the American censors deleted that portion of the movie.

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Goofs

When Bill and his son are exiting the car on the Ghost Train dark ride, they stand there and talk to Bill's ex wife. The next car exiting the ride has two women who get up and leave the car. A few moments later, another car exits the ride, and the same two women stand up and leave the car.

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Quotes

Jeannie Craig: [watching Peter carrying a lost child on his shoulder] You look as if you're used to carrying children.
Peter Stenning: My doctor says I have the perfect figure for it.

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Crazy Credits

There are no end credits whatsoever (not even a "The End" caption); merely a fade to black.

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Connections

References Annie Get Your Gun (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Light Cavalry Overture"
(uncredited)
Written by Franz von Suppé

User Reviews

A sobering movie

Have you noticed how the troubles of the world echoe exactly those of Judd's character?

He is a drunk drying out so is the earth.

He is lost in the heat mist just as he has lost his way in life.

The mists suddenly clear when he gets laid.

The two newspaper headlines at the end of the film refer as much to his personal survival, and to the fragile nature of his relationship to the heroine, as to the hopes of the planet. Who can say what the future holds for the individual, perhaps we can only pray it will be good.

Add to the alogary a nostalgia for the commeraderie of the war years, a documentary style view of the press, some very funny lines for Leo and an early appearance by Michael Caine, and you have a great film.