The Day the Earth Caught Fire

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)

  • 86% of critics liked it
    (7 reviews)

  • 70% of users liked it
    (2,568 ratings)

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… More

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By
Val Guest
Written By
Wolf Mankowitz, Val Guest
Genres
Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Mar 15, 1962 Limited
On DVD
Jun 12, 2001
Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    An intelligent low-budget sci-fi doomsday pic.

  • Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

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

  • Doug Cummings, Filmjourney

    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.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Slow, depressing, but convincing sci-fi film

  • Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

    The Day the Moviewatcher Nodded Off

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • AJ V


    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.

  • alan j


    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!

Cast

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