The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic science-fiction film, ranked as one of the most important movies in American history. It explores the possibilities of aliens and life beyond our planet, while also touching on religious ideas. Specifically, the movie has underlying themes on the idea of a higher power, even beyond those with much higher scientific and technological intelligence than humans from earth. In the movie, Klaatu, the visiting alien, presents an ultimatum to the humans—stop fighting one another, or the entire planet will be destroyed. Klaatu is not only depicted as a messiah, but he also mentions how there are higher powers beyond him, which brings about a theory of religion within the movie. The use of music and silence enhances the emotions of the viewer that coincide with extraterrestrials, religious elements, and scientific knowledge that would otherwise just be presented through dialogue. Klaatu arrives in a UFO with a message for earth, though no one knows what it is, and everyone is quick to assume that these aliens are there for evil. This feeling of fear and curiosity that the crowd has, along with the viewers, is portrayed through the music. In Anthony Bushard’s article, “Waging the Peace: Bernard Herrmann and The Day the Earth Stood Still,” Bushard explains the importance of the combination of the tones of the music and the feelings this conveys. Furthermore, Bushard explores the originality that is presented through the music of The Day the Earth Stood Still, all created by Bernard Herrmann. He writes, “With his contribution to The Day the Earth Stood Still, Herrmann not only enhanced the feelings of fear and paranoia inherent in the narrative, but also became the most prominent member of... ... middle of paper ... ...tz. “The Emotional Power of Music: How Music Enhances the Feeling of Affective Pictures.” Elsevier Brain Research. (2005): 151 Bushard, Anthony. “Waging the Peace: Bernard Hermann and The Day the Earth Stood Still”. College Music Symposium. (2009/2010): 314-326 Cowen, Douglas E. “Seeing the Savior in the Stars: Religion, Conformity, and The Day the Earth Stood Still”. Journal of Religion and Pop Culture. 2009. Etherden, Matthew. “The Day the Earth Stood Still: 1950’s Sci-Fi, Religion, and the Alien Messiah”. Journal of Religion & Film. 2005. Exploring the Arts Foundation. “The Theramin.” 2011. http://electricka.com/etaf/muses/music/musical_instruments/musical_instrument_lineup/the_lineup/the_theremin/the_theremin_home.htm North, Edmond. The Day the Earth Stood Still. Directed by Robert Wise. 1951. Los Angeles, California: 20th Century Fox.
Roof, Wade Clark. "Contemporary Conflicts: Tradition vs. Transformation." Contemporary American Religion. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000. 226-27. Print.
... Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religion. New York: Harvest Books, 1968. Print.
During this film, the first thing noticed that classified this film as an art film was the very first scene, when the music is playing and the earth slowly rises with the sun in the background. This goes on for about 3 minutes ...
Music and the Brain: Processing and Responding (A General Overview). For any individual who either avidly listens to or performs music, it is understood that many melodies have amazing effects on both our emotions and our perception. To address the effects of music on the brain, it seems most logical to initially map the auditory and neural pathways of sound. In the case of humans, the mechanism responsible for receiving and transmitting sound to the brain is the ears.
In conclusion towards the arguments and observations, musical expression consists in presenting emotion characteristics in appearance. It turns out people listen to music as having a purposeful nature and that it has an effect on psychological emotions. If there is a case in which music showing emotional qualities with no reference to feelings, there is a case of happy music that is not powerful of happiness.
...es, we must change for the better. In the movie, Klaatu appears before Barnhardt's colleagues and warns them that because the universe grows smaller every day, threats of aggression cannot be tolerated. Klaatu assures them that they will be under the watchful eye of a robot named Gort, who was invented by an organization of planets determined to stamp out violence. Each planet is guarded by a robot that impartially acts against aggression, and the inhabitants live in peace. He informs the crowd, "Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration."
Scientist has proven that humans have responded to music ever since birth. Elena Mannes, a brain scientist, has recorded the relationship with music throughout a human’s lifetime. Mannes even went far enough to say that the cries of babies just a few weeks old were discovered to have some intervals common to western music. She also states that scientists believe music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function. With this knowledge, she sees that music has so much potential when it comes to affecting the brain and how it works.One main area of the brain music can have a real effect on is neurological deficits (Mannes INT). For example, if a patient who just had a stroke occur and lost verbal functions, those functions can be stimulated by music. This is known as melodic intonation therapy and it could help patients regain speech. The human brain is split into two parts, the left and right hemisphere. The right hemisphere has been traditionally thought of to be the “seat of music appreciation.” However, the right side has not been proven for that role in any way (Joelving INT).
Music has been said to affect a persons brain in many ways. It is said to change someone's mood in an instant. It has also been known to influence someone's lifestyle and attitude just by listening to one song. Music is universal and there is a style for everyone no matter how different people maybe. It is an outlet for creativity and motivation. Music moves people in so many ways and can help people through anything. Almost everyone enjoys music and it is a force that brings people together. A song can reach out to anyone in any situation and the person connects with the notes and lyrics. If someone is sad they can listen to a sad song and know that someone else understands them and that they will turn out alright just like the singer. Sometimes if a person is happy they can listen to a song that expresses just how they feel and they become even happier when listening to this song. A simple melody can do so much and i began to wonder why. The human brain is a very complex and fascinating topic especially with music involved. After a bit of research i began to notice that I had no idea how music works with the brain on a physical level. So i looked into how music is able to be heard by the human ear and how the brain can process this information. It is a simple task that many take for granted however, it is amazing that the brain can change sound waves into different sounds that humans hear. Eventually the topic that fascinated my mind was how music really affects the brain physically and emotionally.
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With one of the most memorable transitions in the film (the Silent Scream performed by a Japanese Butoh dancer), Baraka makes clear the consequences of modern human life. When increasing production and profit takes priority over valuing human life, civilization eventually destroys itself; the film walks us through scenes of systemic poverty, exploitation, war, and genocide to illustrate this point. Paired with stirring, ominous music, this sequence is the most effective sequence of the film and can stand alone as an indictment of modern civilization. Finally, the story of modern civilization ends with images of the ruins of great ancient civilizations. The takeaway message is clear: just as those civilizations rose and fell, so too will the great civilizations of
6. Bohdan R. Bociurkiw and John W. Strong, Religion and Atheism in the U.S.S.R. and
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Cooper, Belle. " How Music Affects and Benefits Your Brain."lifehacker.come. N.p., 11 22 2013. Web. 3
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