I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

After the explosion of nuclear bombs by the United States and the Soviet Unions, the weather in London and in the rest of the world changes. The Daily Express alcoholic reporter Peter Stenning (Edward Judd) meets the telephonist Jeannie Craig (Janet Munro), they fall in love with each other and have a love affair. When Jeannie overhears a conversation, they learn that the explosions have altered by 11 degrees the Earth nutation, changing its orbit. Now the only chance to mankind is to explode bombs again so that the rotation shaft returns to its position. Will Earth be saved or doomed?"The Day the Earth Caught Fire" is a disaster movie with an interesting storyline and an ambiguous conclusion. Peter Stenning is a non-likable character and his behavior betraying his girlfriend is the weakest part of the story. The conclusion with the newspaper showing two front pages written "World Saved" and "World Doomed" is fantastic. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "O Dia em Que a Terra se Incendiou" ("The Day the Earth Caught Fire")

I was in my mid teens when I first saw this film on its UK theatrical release and have always held it in high regard. Not many seemed to agree with me and it slipped away, rarely appearing on sci-fi, catastrophe or sixties favourites lists. For my part I have avoided watching it again lest it disappoint. It doesn't, watched again last night on a crisp new Blu-ray print, the film shines once more and holds the viewer transfixed from first to last frame. Stunning dialogue and central performances to match. Presumably Edward Judd and Janet Munro both so good in this went nowhere because the film went nowhere. I can only imagine now that perhaps the very real cold war events unfolding in the early sixties left the film looking a little at odds with the world. Whatever, it demands to be seen, if only to remind film makers the magic of telling a story bit by bit. There is nothing to be said for having the big reveal at the start and then spending two hours of special effects trying to match the initial promise. Here in the offices of the Daily Express, the story is gradually uncovered and we much as the reporters struggle to make sense as things go from bad to worse. Fantastic views of London and its various parks, including Battersea in full fairground mode ensure that this is very impressive and involving cinema experience.

Hammer man Val Guest directed this predictable disaster movie, which has the same basic premise as NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT, except on a much grander scale (as portrayed via some choice stock footage). In a way it's a throwback to the '50s atomic monster movies, as the disaster turns out to be the direct result of nuclear testing.On the plus side there is an intelligent script, which gives realistic impressions of the public's reaction to the news that they may only have days left to live (rioting breaks out in one area of London) and solid performances from Edward Judd as the dashing reporter hero and a youthful-looking Leo McKern (THE OMEN) as a stuffy but friendly newspaper editor. The realism and tension in this film is the best thing about it - but unfortunately, it sometimes becomes too realistic. I would have preferred a little bit more science fiction thrown in.Unfortunately the excitement is greatly diminished by a dull romance between Judd and Munro, which I could quite happily have done without. Romance has been done a million times before and this time was no different. Also, action fans should look elsewhere, as the only exciting sequence is one where Judd has to rescue his girlfriend from a group of water-crazy teenage delinquents, and one gets knocked down a lift shaft in a comic moment.There is some interesting (if cheap-looking) effects work from Les Bowie (also from the Hammer stable) to add considerably to things, but in the end the central premise is enough to carry the film through and it's an intelligent speculation of what could happen if we're not careful when dealing with Mother Nature.

"The Day the Earth Caught Fire" is a very fine British entry into that genre that came to be known as the disaster film. It's done in a very matter of fact, realistic way. In fact, what it really does is it stresses the human element. It might not be satisfactory to people who prefer less talk and more action, but it gives us a bunch of engaging characters whom we can actually care about. The script (by producer / director Val Guest & Wolf Mankowitz) is often very witty and funny. Scenes of destruction are ultimately kept to a minimum.Edward Judd stars as reporter Peter Stenning, who's first to break a critical story. Earth has been knocked off its axis by the Americans and Russians, who performed atom bomb tests at roughly the same time. This causes much upheaval in the weather. Water evaporates and a strange mist covers Britain. However, the characters won't be aware of just how bad the news is for a while, and simply go about their daily business. Peter, a divorced father of one, begins romancing Jeannie Craig (Janet Munro), who becomes his contact.It's worth noting that this ends in a rather brave way, forcing the audience to interpret things. It simply fades to black. (The words "The End" don't even appear.) The low key quality of the narrative works quite well, and the actors are all just wonderful. Judd is a personable hero and the sadly short lived, very lovely Munro is an endearing leading lady. Leo McKern delivers a delightful supporting performance as Peters' co-worker Bill Maguire. Real life newspaperman Arthur Christiansen plays the role of editor Jeff Jefferson, and that's a young Michael Caine as a cop directing traffic late in the film. The action is extremely well shot in Dyaliscope by Harry Waxman, and viewers are advised to check out the full 99 minute version with very striking tinted opening and closing sequences.Very good of its type.Eight out of 10.