"The Day the Earth Caught Fire" (1961) is a gripping British science fiction disaster film that explores humanity’s vulnerability in the face of environmental catastrophe. Directed by Val Guest, the story unfolds amidst a world destabilized by simultaneous nuclear tests conducted by global superpowers. As strange climatic events ripple across the globe, a troubled journalist discovers the devastating impact these actions have had on Earth. Shot partially on location in London and Brighton, the film employs stunning matte paintings to depict eerie, abandoned cities and scorched landscapes. With a realistic portrayal of newsroom dynamics and a hauntingly ambiguous ending, this apocalyptic classic offers a thought-provoking exploration of human resilience and the consequences of technological power.

Cast:
Edward Judd as Peter Stenning
Leo McKern as Bill Maguire
Janet Munro as Jeannie Craig
Michael Goodliffe as Jacko, the night editor
Bernard Braden as the news editor
Reginald Beckwith as Harry
Renée Asherson as Angela
Arthur Christiansen as Jeff Jefferson, the editor
Austin Trevor as Sir John Kelly
Edward Underdown as Dick Sanderson