Subscribe to watch - 14-day free trial, then £4.99 a month
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
The BFI’s new HD remaster of the British sci-fi classic. A journalist discovers that the Earth has been knocked off its axis and is moving ever closer to the sun. Is the Earth doomed?
Science Fiction 1961 100 mins
Director: Val Guest
Overview
When the USA and Russia simultaneously test atomic bombs, the earth is knocked off its axis and set on a collision course with the sun. Peter Stenning (Edward Judd), a washed-up Daily Express reporter, breaks the story and sets about investigating the government cover-up. This new HD remaster by the BFI National Archive is exclusively available on BFI Player ahead of its DVD/Blu-ray release.
With strong performances (Leo McKern is a stand-out), a vivid depiction of the world of newspaper journalism, and extensive location shooting on the streets of London, Val Guest delivers one of the best British sci-fi films.
Accessibility
Related
Science Fiction
Quatermass 2 Quatermass 2
Horror 1957 81 mins Director: Val Guest
While researching for his moon colonisation programme, Professor Quatermass (Brian Donlevy) is intrigued by the strange readings his radar is picking up.
The Abominable Snowman The Abominable Snowman
Horror 1957 85 mins Director: Val Guest
Two men with opposing views undertake a dangerous Himalayan search for the legendary lost creature, in this typically intelligent take on the Yeti mythology from the pen of Nigel Kneale.
The Quatermass Xperiment The Quatermass Xperiment
Horror 1955 82 mins Director: Val Guest
When the sole survivor from an orbital mission returns, the brilliant Professor Quatermass (Brian Donlevy) discovers the astronaut is not quite all that he seems...
The Untamed The Untamed
Horror 2016 98 mins Director: Amat Escalante
Amat Escalante follows Heli with a boundary-pushing, mind-blowing mix of sex, sci-fi and social drama.
Battle Royale Battle Royale
Science Fiction 2000 114 mins Director: Kenji Fukasaku
Before The Hunger Games there was Battle Royale, Kinji Fukasaku's magnificently twisted shocker in which tearaway teens are given three days to kill or be killed.
Last and First Men Last and First Men
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2020 70 mins Director: Jóhann Jóhannsson
Two billion years ahead of us, a future race of humans finds itself on the verge of extinction. Tilda Swinton narrates this visually stunning lament for humanity by acclaimed composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Sicario, Arrival).
Kermode introduces
Fanny and Alexander Fanny and Alexander
Drama 1982 181 mins Director: Ingmar Bergman
Bergman’s magisterial and sumptuous portrait of a 20th-century Swedish family.
Love Exposure Love Exposure
Comedy 2008 237 mins Director: Sion Sono
Japanese cinema's enfant terrible, Sion Sono, unleashes this demented, whirlwind tale of cults, love, violence and perversion.
The Kreutzer Sonata The Kreutzer Sonata
Drama 2008 96 mins Director: Bernard Rose
Bernard Rose updates Tolstoy's tale about the corrupting power of sex and jealousy, with Danny Huston as the wealthy husband of a beautiful, famous pianist (Elisabeth Röhm).
A Northern Soul A Northern Soul
Documentary 2018 73 mins Director: Sean McAllister
Acclaimed filmmaker Sean McAllister (A Syrian Love Story) returns to his hometown of Hull to profile local resident Steve Arnott, a struggling warehouse worker who harbours his own creative dream of breaking into hip-hop.
La notte La notte
Drama 1961 122 mins Director: Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni's masterpiece stars Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau as a couple re-examining their emotional bonds.
The Old Dark House The Old Dark House
Comedy 1932 72 mins Director: James Whale
A group of weary travellers arrive at a spooky mansion with a madman on the loose, in this classic horror-comedy from James Whale (Bride of Frankenstein)
Directed by Val Guest
Quatermass 2 Quatermass 2
Horror 1957 81 mins Director: Val Guest
While researching for his moon colonisation programme, Professor Quatermass (Brian Donlevy) is intrigued by the strange readings his radar is picking up.
The Abominable Snowman The Abominable Snowman
Horror 1957 85 mins Director: Val Guest
Two men with opposing views undertake a dangerous Himalayan search for the legendary lost creature, in this typically intelligent take on the Yeti mythology from the pen of Nigel Kneale.
The Quatermass Xperiment The Quatermass Xperiment
Horror 1955 82 mins Director: Val Guest
When the sole survivor from an orbital mission returns, the brilliant Professor Quatermass (Brian Donlevy) discovers the astronaut is not quite all that he seems...
New
The Square The Square
Comedy 2017 151 mins Director: Ruben Östlund
From director Ruben Östlund (Force Majeure) comes a satire on the hypocrisy of the art world, starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West. Winner of the Palme d'Or.
Certified Copy Certified Copy
Drama 2009 106 mins Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Abbas Kiarostami directs Juliette Binoche in a personal and playful drama about a day in the life of a French gallery owner and a British author.
La Mif La Mif
Drama 2021 110 mins Director: Fred Baillif
A gripping drama of girls living in residential care that bristles with rare intensity and dangerous energy.
John and the Hole John and the Hole
Drama 2021 103 mins Director: Pascual Sisto
A troubled teenager holds his family captive in this gripping psychological thriller starring Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Ehle as his parents.
Mr. Jones Mr. Jones
Drama 2019 119 mins Director: Agnieszka Holland
James Norton stars as Welsh journalist Gareth Jones whose 1930s visit to Soviet Ukraine uncovered the truth of Stalin’s state-sponsored famine and reputedly inspired George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
The Ghoul The Ghoul
Thriller 2016 82 mins Director: Gareth Tunley
A British indie crime film of great style and ingenuity, executive produced by Ben Wheatley and starring Tom Meeten and Alice Lowe.