The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

When a flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Army quickly surrounds it. A humanoid emerges and announces that he comes “in peace and with good will”. When he unexpectedly opens a small device, he is shot and wounded by a nervous soldier. A tall robot emerges from the saucer and quickly disintegrates the Army’s weapons. The alien orders the robot, Gort, to desist. He explains that the now-broken device was a gift for the President of the United States that would have enabled him “to study life on the other planets”.

The alien, Klaatu, is taken to Walter Reed Army Hospital. After surgery, he uses a salve to quickly heal his wound. Meanwhile, the Army tries but is unable to enter the saucer; Gort stands outside, silent and unmoving. Klaatu tells the President’s secretary, Mr. Harley, he has a message that must be delivered to all the world’s leaders simultaneously. Harley tells him that in the current political climate this is impossible. Klaatu suggests that he be allowed to go among humans to better understand their “unreasoning suspicions and attitudes”. Harley rejects the proposal, and Klaatu remains under guard.