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Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing

Original title: The Day the Earth Caught Fire
  • 1961
  • 6
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.2K
YOUR RATING
Edward Judd and Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.
Play trailer2:37
1 Video
40 Photos
DramaRomanceSci-Fi

When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.

  • Director
    • Val Guest
  • Writers
    • Wolf Mankowitz
    • Val Guest
  • Stars
    • Edward Judd
    • Janet Munro
    • Leo McKern
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    6.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Val Guest
    • Writers
      • Wolf Mankowitz
      • Val Guest
    • Stars
      • Edward Judd
      • Janet Munro
      • Leo McKern
    • 104User reviews
    • 87Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:37
    Watch Trailer

    Photos40

    Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Edward Judd, Leo McKern, and Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Carmel McSharry and Julie Samuel in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Verina Greenlaw, Edward Judd, and Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Edward Judd and Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Edward Judd in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Gene Anderson, Edward Judd, Leo McKern, and Janet Munro in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)
    Michael Goodliffe and Leo McKern in Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Judd
    Edward Judd
    • Peter Stenning
    Janet Munro
    Janet Munro
    • Jeannie Craig
    Leo McKern
    Leo McKern
    • Bill Maguire
    Michael Goodliffe
    Michael Goodliffe
    • 'Jacko' Jackson - Night Editor
    Bernard Braden
    Bernard Braden
    • 'Dave' Davis - News Editor
    Reginald Beckwith
    Reginald Beckwith
    • Harry
    Gene Anderson
    • May
    Renée Asherson
    Renée Asherson
    • Angela
    Arthur Christiansen
    • 'Jeff' Jefferson - Editor
    John Adams
    • Constable
    • (uncredited)
    Jane Aird
    • Nanny
    • (uncredited)
    Avril Angers
    Avril Angers
    • Mother
    • (uncredited)
    John Barron
    John Barron
    • 1st Sub-Editor
    • (uncredited)
    William Baskiville
    • Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Timothy Bateson
    Timothy Bateson
    • Printer in Printroom
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Copy Desk
    • (uncredited)
    Wallace Bosco
    • Copy Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Jim Brady
    Jim Brady
    • Man at Water Station
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Val Guest
    • Writers
      • Wolf Mankowitz
      • Val Guest
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As the Earth heats up, Bill McGuire asks for information on the melting point of "everything from steel to my glass eye". Leo McKern had a glass eye.
    • Goofs
      In the movie, several people in North London contract "typhus" from contaminated water. Evidently the script confused "typhus" and "typhoid fever." Typhus is spread by parasites, such as fleas or mites; not contaminated water. Typhoid fever can be spread by contaminated food or water.
    • Quotes

      Peter Stenning: So Man has sown the wind - and reaped the whirlwind. Perhaps in the next few hours, there will be no remembrance of the past, and no hope for the future that might have been. All the works of Man will be consumed in the great fire out of which he was created. But perhaps at the heart of the burning light into which he has thrust his world, there is a heart that cares more for him, than he has ever cared for himself. And if there is a future for Man - insensitive as he is, proud and defiant in his pursuit of power - let him resolve to live it lovingly; for he knows well how to do so. Then he may say once more: Truly the light is sweet; and what a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the Sun.

    • Crazy credits
      There are no end credits whatsoever (not even a "The End" caption); merely a fade to black.
    • Alternate versions
      Although listed as cut by the BBFC, the then censor John Trevelyan passed the film uncut according to his memoirs. The 'X' certificate was given due to the subject matter, and occasional tough language, being unsuitable for anyone under the age of 16. Video and DVD releases are now rated PG.
    • Connections
      Featured in Godzilla (1977)
    • Soundtracks
      Light Cavalry Overture
      (uncredited)

      Written by Franz von Suppé

    User reviews104

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Timeless, compelling sci-fi drama
    After more than forty years, this film is still a milestone in the science fiction genre. In its day, it was years ahead of its time. It had characters that acted like real people, instead of like John Agar and Lori Nelson. It contained a clearly implied sexual relationship between the two main characters, in an era when filmmakers were still routinely depicting even married couples as sleeping in separate beds. It was filled with shocking insinuations that the government is not all-wise and benevolent, that science doesn't really have all the answers, that the military is capable of blunders that put new meaning into the phrase "friendly fire," and that all may not be well, after all.

    The film's greatest strength is in its understated, matter-of-fact presentation of the characters' various reactions to the relentlessly deteriorating situation. The performances are consistently honest and compelling, from the principal players down to the smallest walk-on parts. The award-winning script by Wolf Mankowitz is at times almost too clever for its own good. If there is one criticism that may be leveled against it, it is that most real people are not that consistently witty. Occasionally they are at a loss for words. Occasionally they say things that are lame, stupid, and altogether inappropriate. And this is the one element that was pretty much absent from the dialogue.

    In an age when movies are being strangled to death by their own special effects, and character development often does not extend beyond the crudest bodily functions and four-letter expletives, it is genuinely refreshing to return to a film such as this one. Not only does it not rely on visual effects to tell its story, it is really so little dependent on the visual that it could have been equally successful as a radio drama (a forgotten art form nowadays), and might very well have caused an even greater panic than Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds."
    helpful•25
    4
    • refrankfurt
    • Jan 28, 2006

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    FAQ15

    • How long is The Day the Earth Caught Fire?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 23, 1961 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Day the Earth Caught Fire
    • Filming locations
      • Daily Express building - 121 Fleet Street, Holborn, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Pax Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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