It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I've watched this a number of times and always enjoy it. I must admit that I had a crush on Janet Munro that started with the "Horsemasters" Disney series but it's more than just her.The science is by far the weakest aspect of the film. In summary it's annoyingly implausible. Nuclear weapons are indeed powerful, but that a couple of bombs could tilt the Earth and change its orbital path should elicit a "Hmmm" even for those with little science background. But that weakness is more than compensated by just about everything else. The acting is top-notch. The crusty journalist role is played by Leo McKern flawlessly. Edward Judd is believable as the talented columnist whose career and life have been derailed by marital failure and alcohol. I don't care whether Janet Munro is good or not, I'll watch her all day long - her premature death was a loss to the industry. The re-created atmosphere of the frantic newspaper business is excellent. I don't know how it really works but it sure convinced me. It was intensely demanding and competitive, portraying the kind of place where only the most talented and motivated professionals can thrive.The grimness of the deteriorating environmental conditions may be the most compelling component in this film. The matte work is sub-par, but the misery of the common people shambling listlessly through the heat and dealing with rapidly dwindling resources is captured very nicely. You can imagine yourself there trying to survive while knowing there's not much future for you. I have no complaints about this film and though it's not cinematic genius it is very well put together. Definitely worth a watch.

Director Val Guest made some good stuff in his time. He did not deserve to end his career stooging for Cannon and Ball that's for sure! I really like his directorial style; he seems to have decided a documentary-style approach was the best way to present outre material; and what worked so well in his Quatermass movies works equally well here.What a refreshing change to have believable characters compared to the one dimensional stereo-types we get today. Having just watched SPECTRE, where the screen writers appear to never have met a real human, it was so good to watch this: well rounded, flawed guys trying to make sense of the momentous events.Edward Judd usually played slightly disagreeable types (at least in most of the movies I've seen him in) and this is no exception. He plays a journalist at the Daily Express who stumbles upon a story that the world is about to end due to twin nuclear missile tests forcing the earth from its orbit, and he does it very well. Slacking off as he's depressed over the failure of his marriage and only able to see his kid for a few hours once a week, hitting the bottle a bit too much, full of sarcastic rejoinders and bitterness, I found him totally convincing, much like the movie, in fact.Leo Mckern is also a stand out as Judd's colleague, who frequently covers for him and despite his acerbic nature is actually soft-hearted. Janet Munro has some quite sexy scenes as Judd's love interest, her near toplessness is surely the only reason I can think of for the film's original X certificate. Munro is very good, too.There is also plenty of historical interest as the film was actually shot in part at the real Daily Express print offices. Indeed, the paper's then editor, Arthur Christensen, also has a role in the movie!It's only real fault is the beatnik riot towards the end. This is just bloody silly and was injected only to add some false drama to the end. This movie didn't need it.The film is superb. Hollywood please don't remake it. I don't want Tom Cruise saving the world, or teenagers uncovering adult conspiracy theories amidst ten thousand special effects shots.

"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.

I find it strange this flick has gotten such over all good reviews. I just viewed it from DVD, having checked it out of the public library and found the dialog almost incomprehensible.People speak in short bursts and gush out essentially nothing. The script is horrible, the science deplorable.Yes, the flick may have some historical appeal to fears of the cold war and environmental Armageddon. However, the style was absolutely dated and campy. Although the issues addressed, may insight fears even today, especially with global warming, I have to give this film a 2 and say it was a waste of time.