Robert Torry’s Beneficial Outcomes

Mustafa Enes Şahin

Robert Torry’s Beneficial Outcomes

After the Second World War science fiction films develop with apocalyptic themes because of the devastating potential of atomic bomb and the increase of tension between America and Soviet. Robert Torry wrote an article which is “Apocalypse Then: Benefits of the Bomb in Fifties Science Fiction Films”. The writer claims that some 1950s science fiction movies which are When Worlds Collide, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and War of the Worlds with apocalyptic themes have beneficial outcomes. I completely agree with the writer’s argument. He suggests that these movies reflect 1950s political events. In addition He mentions that these movies contain religious motifs. In my opinion, these movies help us to understand 1950s political event, especially cold war era and some religious beliefs such as Noah salvation, Christ. Therefore we can say that these movies have beneficial outcomes. Moreover, the writer includes not only opposing ideas, but also supporting ideas about his argument and he compares these films with original forms. In this direction, his argument becomes more persuasive.

First of all, the writer suggests that these movies reflect 1950s political events. For example, when When World Collide (1951) movie released, there was a widespread discussion in international press about the hydrogen bomb research in the America and Soviet atomic bomb test and also policy makers were talking about the probability of nuclear war. According to the writer in When World Collide (1951) movie “In representing the apocalyptic possibility of nuclear war through the image of the onrushing star, Bellus, the film exploits the most common explanatory device employed in popular accounts of hydrogen bomb research” (Torry 10). The writer says that the probability of nuclear war represented by Bellus in the movie so, when we watch this movie we can learn that at that time there was probability of nuclear war. Therefore, in my opinion it can be shown as beneficial outcome. Another example is that according to the writer “The Day the Earth Stood Still, despite its aura of pacifism, advocates an American will to use nuclear weaponry to meet communist expansion. The film, through its valorization of the method practiced by Klaatu’s advanced civilization for the preservation of peace, advocates abandoning containment as practiced by the Truman administration” (Torry 14). We can understand that this movie which is The Day the Earth Stood Still explains why the President Truman acknowledged the use of atomic weapons and from my point of view it can be beneficial outcome because this movie provide to face up to reality about the President Truman decision.

Secondly, the writer mentions about these movies contain religious motifs. For example When Worlds Collide (1951) movie reflects Noah salvation. According to the writer “The film's opening credit sequence features an ornate, lightning illuminated Bible opening to Genesis 6.11, and the parallel between Noah's enterprise and that of the small band of chosen preparing to flee the destruction of the earth is continually reinforced throughout the film, both in dialogue and in shots like the one in which the camera tracks slowly past pens of animals, two of each, who will accompany the survivors to Zyra. It is important to note, though, that When Worlds Collide reflects a crucial typological understanding of this dominant motif. The bypass of Zyra, the initial catastrophe in the two part drama of earth's destruction, causes devastating floods; the subsequent collision of the earth with the invading star destroys all that remains in a moment of apocalyptic conflagration. Such a two part plan of destruction, by flood and fire, emphasizes the traditional hermeneutic under- standing of Noah's salvation as a type of the exemption from destruction to be afforded the elect at the advent of the final apocalypse. The film's depiction of the ascent of the saved, who rise above terrestrial destruction to begin a new life on the paradisal Zyra, recalls the description in I Thessalonians of the rising of the elect at the moment of parousia, the antitypical fulfillment of Noah's salvation: "We who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up... to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4.17).” (Torry 8). The writer claims that this movie represents Noah salvation. In my opinion, when we watch this movie we can learn almost every detail about Noah salvation like parts of destruction so, we can say that this movie have beneficial outcome. Another example is that, Klaatu is The Day the Earth Stood Still’s interplanetary character. According to the writer “Klaatu is carefully paralleled with Christ: he descends from above bearing a message of potential salvation for mankind; he is betrayed by an acquaintance, killed by military authorities, and resurrected. He delivers his message to an assembled multitude and reascends into the heavens, leaving those behind either to accept or reject the guidance he has offered.” (Torry 12). This example shows that Klaatu tries to save earth from destruction and he plays Christ-like figure in this film. We can understand that Christ will return world in order to save mankind so this can be beneficial outcome because we learn Christ’s duties.

Thirdly, the author includes opposing ideas about his argument such as Susan Sontag’s essay; “The Imagination of Disaster”. Susan Sontag says that 1950s science fiction movies are just commercial art product; they are emblem of an inadequate response. The writer says that she fails to distinguish 1950s movies which are art product. In this way, the writer gives opposing ideas about his argument then, defend own argument. In my opinion, this makes his argument more convincing because may be when we read the article we think same think we completely confused. In addition, he also includes supporting ideas about his argument. For instance, when he explains The Day the Earth Stood Still movie’s religious motif he mentions Krin Gabbard’s ideas. In this direction, he tries to support his ideas and also this makes his argument more convincing. Moreover, when he explains his argument he also uses these films original forms. For example, he uses “Farewell to the Master” Harry Bates’s 1940 novella from which The day the Earth Stood Still was adapted. He demonstrates some differences between film and book and he re-interpretation his argument via book. From my point of view, this also makes his argument convincing because either way he can prove his idea.

To conclude, we can understand some 1950s science fiction movies with apocalyptic themes have beneficial outcomes. We say that these movies provide useful information about some political event and religious motifs at 1950s. That is why we accept that these movies have beneficial outcomes. Moreover we say that the author includes opposing ideas, supporting ideas about his argument and he compare these films original forms so, this makes his argument more convincing.

Works Cited

Torry, Robert. “Apocalypse Then: Benefits of the Benefits of the Bomb in Fifties Science Fiction Films.” Cinema Journal (1991), Vol. 31, No. 1, 7-21. Print