The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Directed by Val Guest
Written by Wolf Mankowitz and Val Guest
1961/UK
Melina Productions/Pax Films
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] 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. [/box]
This interesting sci-fi film shows there is more than one way to achieve climate change.
The US and USSR acidentally engage in powerful H-bomb testing simultaneously. Soon the newspapers are full of stories of bizarre weather around the world. Reporter Peter Stennings (Edward Judd) is put on the story when a solar eclipse occurs several days earlier than predicted. All scientific authorities on the subject refuse to talk. Finally, it is revealed that the axis of the Earth was shifted by the bomb.
The remainder of the story follows London’s response as temperatures rise and water dwindles. Stenning’s remaining time is also occupied with a sometimes strained new romance with secretary Jeannie (Janet Munro). With Leo McKern as another reporter.
If this story was made today it would be filled with riots, explosions, and conflagrations. This film is much tamer but still very effective. Its stiff upper lip attitude actually makes the dilemmas of the characters more compelling. A lot of the conversations sound a lot like end-phase climate-change scenarios posited today. Recommended to the curious.
Trailer
