The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

My Review

“The Day the Earth Caught Fire” is a British science fiction disaster movie about simultaneous American and Soviet nuclear detonations which have drastically altered the earth’s rotation. Earth quakes, fires, and disease ravages the earth’s population even as authorities attempt to put the planet back on its axis. This excellent drama was well directed by Val Guest (“The Abominable Snowman” 1957), who co-wrote the top-rate screenplay with Wolf Mankowitz. This film is something of a template for future disaster movies.

Guest instilled the film with marvelous production values, good special effects, believable storylines, intelligent dialogue, and seemingly perfect performances. The cast includes Janet Munro, Leo McKern, Edward Judd, Michael Goodliffe, Bernard Braden, Reginald Beckwith, Renee Asherson, and Michael Caine in an uncredited role as a checkpoint policeman. The watchable “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” was a success in theatrical release for Val Guest Productions, Pax Films, and British Lion Films.