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The Day the Earth Caught Fire

  • 1961
  • Unrated
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
7.1K
YOUR RATING
Edward Judd and Janet Munro in The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)
When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.
Play trailer2:37
1 Video
44 Photos
Dark ComedyDramaRomanceSci-Fi

When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.When the U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the nutation (axis of rotation) of the Earth.

  • Director
    • Val Guest
  • Writers
    • Wolf Mankowitz
    • Val Guest
  • Stars
    • Edward Judd
    • Janet Munro
    • Leo McKern
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    7.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Val Guest
    • Writers
      • Wolf Mankowitz
      • Val Guest
    • Stars
      • Edward Judd
      • Janet Munro
      • Leo McKern
    • 111User reviews
    • 90Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:37
    Trailer

    Photos44

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    + 37
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    Top Cast78

    Edward Judd
    Edward Judd
    • Peter Stenning
    Janet Munro
    Janet Munro
    • Jeannie Craig
    Leo McKern
    Leo McKern
    • Bill Maguire
    Michael Goodliffe
    Michael Goodliffe
    • 'Jacko' Jackson - Night Editor
    Arthur Christiansen
    • 'Jeff' Jefferson - Editor
    Bernard Braden
    Bernard Braden
    • 'Dave' Davis - News Editor
    Reginald Beckwith
    Reginald Beckwith
    • Harry
    Gene Anderson
    • May
    Renée Asherson
    Renée Asherson
    • Angela
    John Adams
    • Constable
    • (uncredited)
    Jane Aird
    • Nanny
    • (uncredited)
    Avril Angers
    Avril Angers
    • Mother
    • (uncredited)
    John Barron
    John Barron
    • 1st Sub-Editor
    • (uncredited)
    William Baskiville
    • Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Timothy Bateson
    Timothy Bateson
    • Printer in Printroom
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Copy Desk
    • (uncredited)
    Wallace Bosco
    • Copy Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Jim Brady
    Jim Brady
    • Man at Water Station
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Val Guest
    • Writers
      • Wolf Mankowitz
      • Val Guest
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews111

    7.27K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      As the Earth heats up, Bill McGuire asks for information on the melting point of "everything from steel to my glass eye". Leo McKern had a glass eye.
    • Goofs
      In the movie, several people in North London contract "typhus" from contaminated water. Evidently the script confused "typhus" and "typhoid fever." Typhus is spread by parasites, such as fleas or mites; not contaminated water. Typhoid fever can be spread by contaminated food or water.
    • Quotes
      • 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.
    • Crazy credits
      There are no end credits whatsoever (not even a "The End" caption); merely a fade to black.
    • Alternate versions
      Although listed as cut by the BBFC, the then censor John Trevelyan passed the film uncut according to his memoirs. The 'X' certificate was given due to the subject matter, and occasional tough language, being unsuitable for anyone under the age of 16. Video and DVD releases are now rated PG.
    • Connections
      Featured in Godzilla (1977)
    • Soundtracks
      Light Cavalry Overture
      (uncredited)
      Written by Franz von Suppé

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    Details

    • Release date
      • May 1962 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Tag, an dem die Erde Feuer fing
    • Filming locations
      • Daily Express building - 121 Fleet Street, Holborn, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Pax Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    • Budget
      • £200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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