"The Day the Earth Stood Still" Special Edition Releases

When a mysterious alien, Klaatu (Michael Rennie), and his indestructible robot land on Earth in Washington D.C., it captures the attention of the world in The Day the Earth Stood Still. Although Klaatu claims to be on a mission of goodwill, a device he intends as a gift for the President is mistaken for a weapon and Klaatu is shot. When he refuses to reveal his mission to any single government, the military, politicians, and millions of ordinary people wait in fear to discover why Klaatu has come to earth.

The fate of the world is at stake as the distrust of the people leads to calls for violence against the alien. However, after young widow Helen Benson (Patricia Neal) and her son befriend the alien (who is in disguise), Helen comes to realize that they may be all that stands between the human race and alien annihilation.

Directed by two-time Academy Award®-winning director Robert Wise (The Sound of Music, West Side Story) and starring Oscar®-winner Patricia Neal (Hud) and Michael Rennie (Les Miserables), this classic movie from 1951 has been hailed as one of the most influential and thought-provoking science-fiction films of all time.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Hollywood is great at imitating what it likes. Now The Day the Earth Stood Still will be released as a Special Edition Blu-ray Disc (BD) and a two-disc DVD on December 2, 2008, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The Day the Earth Stood Still Special Edition BD will contain two never-before-seen, high-definition BD exclusive features. "Gort Command!" is an arcade-style shooting gallery game and "Interactive Theremin: Create Your Own Score," allows viewers to re-score the film's opening sequence. Both the BD and DVD versions of The Day the Earth Stood Still Special Edition feature all-new and exclusive bonus materials including composer and Academy Award®-winner Bernard Herrmann's isolated score; film and sci-fi featurettes - including a "Making Of The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "Decoding Klaatu Barada Nikto: Science Fiction As A Metaphor" - an audio presentation of the original short story; and commentaries from Robert Wise and other film and music historians, among the extras.

Many people are surprised to learn that The Day the Earth Stood Still is special to lovers of Mayberry, because actress Frances Bavier who played Aunt Bee on "The Andy Griffith Show" was one of the movie's co-stars in her role as Mrs. Barley. Other alumni from "The Andy Griffith Show" include Hugh Marlowe (Tom Stevens - Helen's boyfriend) and Olan Soule ( Mr. Krull - another boarding house resident).

The Day the Earth Stood Still Special Edition will arrive in time for the theatrical release of its 2008 remake which will star Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind).