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The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1962)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

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Release Date: Mar 15, 1962 Limited

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 2,533

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Movie Info

Despite its come-on title, The Day the Earth Caught Fire is an intelligent, disturbing piece of speculative fiction. Through the eyes of British reporter Peter Stenning (Edward Judd), we learn that both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. have simultaneously set off nuclear explosions to test their efficiency. The twin blasts have caused the Earth to go off its axis. The result is a disastrous upheaval in the balance of nature; floods and fires being the principal plagues. With the end of the world

Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.

Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Val Guest

Written By: Wolf Mankowitz, Val Guest

In Theaters: Mar 15, 1962 Limited

On DVD: Jun 12, 2001

Universal Pictures

Cast

Janet Munro
Jeannie
Leo McKern
Bill Maguire
Edward Judd
Peter Stenning
Michael Goodliffe
Night editor
Bernard Braden
News editor
Reginald Beckwith
Harry
Peter Butterworth
2nd Sub Editor
Gene Anderson
May
Arthur Christiansen
Editor
Austin Trevor
Sir John Kelly
Ren�e Ashershon
Angela
Charles Morgan
Foreign Editor
Edward Underdown
Sanderson
John Barron
Sub Editor
Geoffrey Chater
Holroyd
Ian Ellis
Michael
Jane Aird
Nanny
Robin Hawdon
Ronnie
Michael Caine
Policeman
Marianne Stone
Miss Evans
Wolf Mankowitz

Critic Reviews for The Day the Earth Caught Fire

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1) | DVD (9)

An intelligent low-budget sci-fi doomsday pic.

June 7, 2011 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The premise lends itself to the inspired pandemonium of a Max Ernst

December 8, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion

| Comment

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

The disaster genre is not generally known for its insights into characters or its clever dialogue, but The Day the Earth Caught Fire is an admirable exception.

December 1, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmjourney

| Comment

Doug Cummings

Filmjourney Source: Filmjourney

Slow, depressing, but convincing sci-fi film

August 21, 2002 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The Day the Moviewatcher Nodded Off

July 25, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

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Audience Reviews for The Day the Earth Caught Fire

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This movie has an excellent plot, but doesn't have a sufficient amount of excitement or good actors. I liked it for the most part, but I wasn't sure about the ending. Overall, it could have been better.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

A great movie..interesting story and solid acting..WHAT SETS THIS MOVIE APART IS THE PACING..I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOVIE MOVE QUICKER..VERY COOL CONCEPT!

September 30, 2008