The Day the Earth Caught Fire
“The INCREDIBLE becomes Real! The IMPOSSIBLE becomes Fact! The UNBELIEVABLE becomes True!”
Synopsis
British reporters suspect an international cover-up of a global disaster in progress... and they're right. Hysterical panic has engulfed the world after the United States and the Soviet Union simultaneously detonate nuclear devices and have caused the orbit of the Earth to alter, sending it hurtling towards the sun.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2014-10-20
Top Cast
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Janet Munro
Jeannie Craig
Leo McKern
Bill Maguire
Edward Judd
Peter Stenning
Michael Goodliffe
Jacko Jackson the Night Editor
Bernard Braden
Davis the News Editor
Reginald Beckwith
Harry
Gene Anderson
May
Renée Asherson
Angela
Arthur Christiansen
'Jeff' Jefferson - Editor
Austin Trevor
Sir John Kelly (uncredited)
Ian Ellis
Michael Stenning (uncredited)
Geoffrey Chater
Pat Holroyd (uncredited)
Marianne Stone
Miss Evans (uncredited)
John Dearth
Dick (uncredited)
Edward Underdown
Dick Sanderson (uncredited)
Robin Hawdon
Ronnie (uncredited)
George Merritt
Smudge (uncredited)
Verina Greenlaw
Trixie (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 14, 1962
Wide Cinema Exhibition
November 17, 2014
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Val Guest
- Screenplay & Story
- Val Guest, Wolf Mankowitz
- Original Score
- Stanley Black
- Original Title
- The Day the Earth Caught Fire
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Production Studios
- Pax Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Val Guest
Val Guest, Wolf Mankowitz
Stanley Black
Harry Waxman
Bill Lenny
Val Guest
Department Leadership Roster
Harry Waxman
Director of Photography
Val Guest
Director
Val Guest
Writer
Wolf Mankowitz
Writer
Bill Lenny
Editor
Val Guest
Producer
Beatrice Dawson
Costume Design
Stanley Black
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Universal — Suitable for all audiences.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Day the Earth Caught Fire.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Day the Earth Caught Fire.
Apocalypse
The end of the world as we know it, and what comes after. Civilisation-wide collapse, mass extinction, the imminent end, and survival or rebuilding after catastrophe. Comedy, romance, horror, animation, action and disaster all welcome. A local disaster, ordinary dystopia, or incidental world-ending stakes alone is insufficient. Mainly English-language, with selected international exceptions. Individually selected films, not automatic franchise imports. Independently curated using BFI end-of-world and post-apocalyptic selections, with film-by-film editorial additions. Not an official BFI list.
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Movies categorized under Science_Fiction
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Out of this World
Distant galaxies and altered realities. Time warps and mind-bending technology. The impossible becomes possible as human ingenuity meets cosmic forces in extraordinary ways.
Science Fiction
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Day the Earth Caught Fire about?
British reporters suspect an international cover-up of a global disaster in progress... and they're right. Hysterical panic has engulfed the world after the United States and the Soviet Union simultaneously detonate nuclear devices and have caused the orbit of the Earth to alter, sending it hurtling towards the sun.
Who directed The Day the Earth Caught Fire?
The Day the Earth Caught Fire was directed by Val Guest.
Who stars in The Day the Earth Caught Fire?
The principal cast of The Day the Earth Caught Fire includes Janet Munro, Leo McKern, Edward Judd, Michael Goodliffe, Bernard Braden.
When was The Day the Earth Caught Fire released and how long is it?
The Day the Earth Caught Fire was released in 1961 with a total runtime of 1h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for The Day the Earth Caught Fire?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Day the Earth Caught Fire was composed by Stanley Black.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Day the Earth Caught Fire?
The Day the Earth Caught Fire holds official age classifications: DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); FR: TP; GB: U (Universal — Suitable for all audiences.).