The Day the Earth Stood Still Quotes

Professor Barnhardt: There must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve our problem.
Klaatu: Your problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.
Professor Barnhardt: Then help us change.
Klaatu: I cannot change your nature. You treat the world as you treat

each other.
Professor Barnhardt: But every civilization reaches a crisis point eventually.
Klaatu: Most of them don't make it.
Professor Barnhardt: Yours did. How?
Klaatu: Our sun was dying. We had to evolve in order to survive.
Professor Barnhardt: So it was only when your world

was threated with destruction that you became what you are now.
Klaatu: Yes.
Professor Barnhardt: Well that's where we are. You say we're on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it's only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve. This is our moment. Don't take it from us, we are close to an

answer.

Regina Jackson: What is your purpose in coming here?
Klaatu: There is a gathering of world leaders not far from here; I will explain my purpose to them.
Regina Jackson: I'm afraid thats not possible. Perhaps you should explain yourself to me instead.
Klaatu: Do you speak for the entire human race?

Regina Jackson: I speak for the President of the United States. Now, please; tell me why have you come to our planet.
Klaatu: *Your* planet.
Regina Jackson: Yes; this is our planet.
Klaatu: No, it is not.

Helen Benson: I need to know what's happening.
Klaatu: This planet is dying. The human race is killing it.
Helen Benson: So you've come here to help us.
Klaatu: No, *I* didn't.
Helen Benson: You said you came to save us.
Klaatu: I said I came to save the Earth.

Helen Benson: You came to save the Earth... from us. You came to save the Earth *from* us.
Klaatu: We can't risk the survival of this planet for the sake of one species.
Helen Benson: What are you saying?
Klaatu: If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth survives. There are only a handful of

planets in the cosmos that are capable of supporting complex life...
Helen Benson: You can't do this.
Klaatu: ...this one can't be allowed to perish.
Helen Benson: We can change. We can still turn things around.
Klaatu: We've watched, we've waited and hoped that you *would* change.
Helen

Benson: Please...
Klaatu: It's reached the tipping point. We have to act.
Helen Benson: Please...
Klaatu: We'll undo the damage you've done and give the Earth a chance to begin again.
Helen Benson: Don't do this. Please, we can change. We can change.
Klaatu: The decision

is made. The process has begun.
Helen Benson: Oh God.

[Seated at a McDonald's, Klaatu begins speaking to Mr. Wu in Mandarin]
Klaatu: You've been out of contact for a long time.
Mr. Wu: I had a dangerous assignment. This is hostile territory.
Klaatu: I've noticed. I was hoping I could reason with them.
Mr. Wu: I'm afraid they are not a reasonable race. I've

been living amongst them for seventy years now. I know them well.
Klaatu: And?
Mr. Wu: Any attempt to intercede with them would be futile. They are destructive, and they won't change.
Klaatu: Is that your official report?
Mr. Wu: The tragedy is, they know what's going to become of them.
[Both

Klaatu and Wu turn to look at Helen, Jacob and Wu's grandson who are seated at another table]
Mr. Wu: They sense it. But they can't seem to do anything about it.
Klaatu: It's decided then. I'll begin the process as soon as possible. We should make preparations for our departure.
Klaatu, Mr. Wu: [They

switching to speaking English]
Mr. Wu: I'm staying.
Klaatu: You can't stay here.
Mr. Wu: I can and I will.
Mr. Wu: If you stay, you'll die.
Mr. Wu: I know. This is my home now.
Klaatu: You yourself called them a destructive race.
Mr.

Wu: That's true. But still, there is another side. You see, I... I love them. It is a very strange thing. I... I... I can't find a way to explain it to you. For many years I cursed my luck for being sent here. Human life is difficult. But as this life is coming to an end... I consider myself lucky... to have lived it.

Klaatu: There are some things I can't do.
Jacob Benson: But you have powers.
Klaatu: I'm sorry.
Jacob Benson: Please. Please!
Klaatu: Jacob, nothing ever truly dies. The universe wastes nothing. Everything is simply, transformed.
Jacob Benson: Just leave me

alone.

Polygraph Operator: I'm going to ask you a series of control questions. Are you currently in a seated position?
Klaatu: Yes.
Polygraph Operator: Are you human?
Klaatu: My body is.
Polygraph Operator: Do you feel pain?
Klaatu: My body does.

Polygraph Operator: Are you aware of an impending attack on the planet earth?
Klaatu: You should let me go.
Polygraph Operator: I'll repeat the question.
[he touches the machine and gets a shock]
Klaatu: What gate did you use to enter this base?
Polygraph Operator: East loading

door.
Klaatu: How do I get there?
Polygraph Operator: 100 yards left from the back of this building.
Klaatu: Is there a security code?
Polygraph Operator: 4-4-Bravo-3-0.
Klaatu: What size is that suit?
Polygraph Operator: 42 long.

Klaatu: Take it off.

John Driscoll: So is it a machine or a living thing?
Flash Chamber Colonel: Both. Or neither.
John Driscoll: What do you mean 'neither'?
Flash Chamber Colonel: It seems to be some sort of silicone-based hybrid. We're calling it GORT: Genetically-Organized Robotic Technology.
John

Driscoll: The military and their acronyms...

Regina Jackson: History has lessons to teach us about first encounters between civilizations. As a rule the less advanced civilization is either exterminated or enslaved. I'm thinking of Pizarro and the Incans, Columbus and the Native Americans, and the list goes on. Unfortunately in this case, the less advanced civilization is us.
Michael Granier: This is

the representative of an extra-terrestrial civilization. This is the most important discovery in the history of Mankind!
Regina Jackson: It may well be the last discovery in the history of Mankind.

Helen Benson: It's alright. He's here to help.
Klaatu: There's another side to you. I feel it now.
Helen Benson: [referring to large, black cloud] Is that how it ends?
Klaatu: Yes.
Helen Benson: You can't stop it?
Klaatu: I don't know. It would come at a price,

to you and your way of life.
Helen Benson: But we can change, you know that now. Please, please, just give us a chance.
Klaatu: I'll try. I must get back to the city.

Regina Jackson: My name is Regina Jackson. I'm the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America.
Klaatu: This body will take some getting used to.
Regina Jackson: I've been sent here to determine who or what you represent and what your intentions are.
Klaatu: It feels unreal to me. Alien. It will take

time to adapt.
Helen Benson: What were you before you were human?
Klaatu: Different.
Helen Benson: Different how?
Klaatu: It would only frighten you.