The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Seen it?1961 | 98 min | Science Fiction, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved Independence Day, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
British reporters suspect an international cover-up of a global disaster in progress... and they're right. 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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 40K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Val Guest
- Janet MunroJeannie Craig
- Leo McKernBill Maguire
- Edward JuddPeter Stenning
- Michael GoodliffeJacko Jackson the Night Editor
- Bernard BradenDavis the News Editor
- Reginald BeckwithHarry
- Gene AndersonMay
- Renée AshersonAngela
- Arthur Christiansen'Jeff' Jefferson - Editor
- Austin TrevorSir John Kelly (uncredited)