As a result of simultaneous nuclear tests conducted by the USA and the Soviet Union, Earth has been knocked off its axis and set into a collision course with the Sun. As the planet inexorably heats up and society plunges into mayhem, a washed-off reporter breaks the story, shedding light on the government cover-up. Set in an end-of-days London, this Cold War sci-fi gem tinged with noir spices explores humanity’s deepest fears of self-annihilation.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Screening Schedule
No physical screenings scheduled. |
- Direction: Val Guest
- Script: Wolf Mankowitz, Val Guest
- Cinematography: Harry Waxman
- Editing: Bill Lenny
- Sound: Buster Ambler
- Music: Stanley Black
- Actors: Janet Munro, Leo McKern, Edward Judd, Michael Goodliffe, Bernard Braden, Reginald Beckwith, Gene Anderson, Arthur Christiansen, Austin Trevor
- Production: Pax Films
- Producers: Val Guest
- Sets: Anthony Masters
- Format: DCP
- Color: B&W
- Production Country: United Kingdom
- Production Year: 1961
- Duration: 99'
- Contact: Tamasa Distribution
- Awards/Distinctions: Best screenplay – BAFTA awards 1962
Val Guest
Val Guest was an English director and screenwriter, whose oeuvre includes musicals, comedies, thrillers, sci-fi adventures, and period pieces. He started out as an actor, both on English stage and in early sound films, before turning initially to screenwriting and subsequently to direction. His directing career began in the early 40s with a Ministry of Information short film. Guest is best known for his work for Hammer Film Productions that yielded 14 films, mostly of the sci-fi genre.
Filmography
1955 The Quatermass Xperiment
1957 Quatermass 2
1957 The Abominable Snowman
1961 The Day the Earth Caught Fire
1962 Jigsaw
1968 Assignment K
1976 The Switch
1982 The Boys in Blue
