The incredible becomes real! The impossible becomes fact! The unbelievable becomes true!
Film Synopsis
The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) follows a reporter working at a London newspaper who begins examining unusual climate disturbances affecting the planet. As heat waves, earthquakes, and environmental chaos escalate, evidence reveals that simultaneous nuclear tests by global superpowers have shifted Earth’s axis. This British science fiction disaster drama blends Cold War anxiety, investigative journalism, and apocalyptic speculation about humanity’s technological power.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Kino BD-ALL/US 2020 | BFI BD-B/UK 2014 | Anchor Bay DVD-1/US/OOP 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Richard Harland Smith | |||
| Audio Commentary by Director Val Guest, Moderated by Ted Newsom | |||
| Hot Off the Press: Revisiting “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” | |||
| “The Day the Earth Caught Fire”: An Audio Appreciation by Graeme Hobbs | |||
| The Guardian Lecture: Val Guest and Yolande Donlan - Interviewed by David Meeker | |||
| Interview with Actor Leo McKern | |||
| Stills Gallery [Anchor Bay] | |||
| Stills Gallery [BFI] | |||
| Biography: Director Val Guest | |||
| Theatrical Trailer | |||
| TV Spots | |||
| Radio Spots | |||
| “Operation Hurricane” | |||
| “The H-Bomb” | |||
| “The Hole in the Ground” | |||
| “Think Bike” - With Actor Edward Judd |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- BFI’s Blu-ray includes a 30-page booklet with writing by John Oliver (“The Day the Earth Caught Fire”) and Marcus Hearn (“Hot Metal: Val Guest and ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’”).
- Anchor Bay’s DVD includes a booklet with writing by Mark Wickum.
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Collector’s guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
-
Hot Off the Press: Revisiting “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” (33:20) -
“The Day the Earth Caught Fire”: An Audio Appreciation by Graeme Hobbs (8:45) -
The Guardian Lecture: Val Guest and Yolande Donlan (1998, 62:20) -
Interview with Actor Leo McKern (2001, 8:56)
| Editions | |
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Richard Harland Smith Kino BD |
| Audio Commentary by Director Val Guest, Moderated by Ted Newsom Kino BD | |
| Hot Off the Press: Revisiting “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” BFI BD | |
| “The Day the Earth Caught Fire”: An Audio Appreciation by Graeme Hobbs BFI BD | |
| The Guardian Lecture: Val Guest and Yolande Donlan - Interviewed by David Meeker BFI BD | |
| Interview with Actor Leo McKern BFI BD | |
| Stills Gallery [Anchor Bay] Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Stills Gallery [BFI] BFI BD | |
| Theatrical Trailer Kino BD | |
| TV Spots Kino BD | |
| Radio Spots Kino BD | |
| “Operation Hurricane” BFI BD | |
| “The H-Bomb” BFI BD | |
| “The Hole in the Ground” BFI BD | |
| “Think Bike” - With Actor Edward Judd BFI BD |