This is what happens years after the first 1951 encounter. Mankind never heeded the warning, so they've now returned with a new plan.
Not saying this was intended, but it could have been fixed so it would be considered a follow-up. (Klattau's name should be changed).
I think the world would be an incredibly different place though, knowing for over 50 years that there are other civilisations out there (especially more powerful civilisations that could eradicate us). It's unlikely that humanity would have just continued down the same path we have done.
shareI realize that. The film could have had a scene where Bates finds old news clippings of the 1951 Incident, but it was later written off as a staged political charade, later brushed aside by McCarthy paranoia. Something like that. Was kept buried.
Thus, at least most of humanity would have still gone down the grim and destructive path, as our daily news always confirms.
I'm stretching it, but the thought of a sequel intrigued me. Also, the best way to preserve the original.
It had those moments that made me wonder.
I can see a sequel seeming an attractive idea, though I think doing it like that is probably stretching too far. I don't think the events of the first film could be written off as staged and then buried, because it was too dramatic and well known (flying saucers, robots with lasers, and he really did make the entire Earth stand still for half an hour).
I've often wondered how a sequel could take place too, but there are some films that just don't lend themselves to sequels (Thelma & Louise also comes to mind). But the reputation of the original film will always be preserved though and whenever inferior remakes are made, the original tends to only go up further in esteem. The remake of The Fog is a classic example because the original was often dismissed until the remake came out then it was hailed as a masterpiece in comparison. That said, while I don't see the remake of TDTESS as quite as good as the original, I don't like to condemn it as inferior either. I just see it as a different take on the idea that could have done with a bit of tweaking. I suppose if there was a sequel to the original where Klaatu's people come back and actually start to destroy the Earth, it would mean big effects scenes of mass destruction - which is what we got in the remake anyway. A sequel to the original would need an army of Gorts to do it though or else it would take years just to level one city, let alone the whole planet.
You're definitely right, It would need much tweaking to be considered a sequel. First, eliminate that opening scene in 1928, since it precedes the '1950 Incident'. Then, the original incident needed to be mentioned; news clips (photos from the Original). This is really stretching it, but perhaps scientists explained it was Sun Spots (yeah, I Know) that caused the Earth to stop for the half-hour.
And due to a tense political era, people were afraid to question.
Cynics claim the saucer footage was faked. Plus, being at the height of the McCarthy Hearings, blacklisting.
It would have needed a more thorough rewrite
I used to wonder what a decent sequel would entail.
If you recall, in the original there is a cover to a SF pulp with an army of robots blasting everyone.
Used to imagine those great mayhem and mass-destruction scenes.
The original did lend itself a possible sequel. I'm sure some fans have pondered it. Good that you like the idea of a worthy sequel.
AFTER THE EARTH STOOD STILL ?
by Deluge69-663-991830 - Sun Mar 8 2015 13:30 -I like it. You're hired
... thought of a sequel intrigued me. Also, the best way to preserve the original ...
Hope I'm well paid.
Film should be rebooted, retooled as a sequel, instead of the dreaded modern remake.
If it had been, there would have been a less hostile reaction. It was automatically doomed when promoted as a OH! GOD! NO! remake, but could have stood a better chance as the long awaited PART II.
And it would have rekindled interest in the original.
Wonder if this ever occurred to the producers, writers and director?
AFTER THE EARTH STOOD STILL