The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1960) film review

Its Christmas!And time for one of our festive specials with long suffering guest Martin Holmes, he of the ‘Vision on Sound’ radio show (every Sunday night FAB radio international… 7pm GMT ….end of plug)3 years agoWe reviewed both the black and white Quatermass films, last year we kept the cold in with the masterpiece that is ‘The Spy That Came In From The Cold’, so keeping up the cheerful theme, this year we went with an ecological apocalypticthriller.The 1960s black and white corker ‘The Day The Earth Caught Fire’, introducing Edward Juddand starring the irrepressible Leo McKern’Set in a Fleet Street newsroom and on the streets of London, we trace the beginning of the end (perhaps) of the whole of mankind. Surprisingly caused by the stupidity of 2 ofthe world’s superpowers as they test detonate their nuclear bombs.The tension builds up to a do or die conclusion. See society slowly falling apart and witness the heroic part a spilt screen Morris Minor plays in this 60s masterpiece. Directed and written by the great Val Guest, it’s a must view for those who enjoy their sci-fi disaster films on the realistic side. Merry Christmas to you all