The original 1951 movie THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL was part of a public acclimation program about UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation, with involvement by the U.S. Air Force, according to an alleged transcript of a 1981 intelligence briefing to former President Ronald Reagan.
The transcript, reportedly provided by current and former members of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) through an intermediary, was posted on the internet Oct. 30, 2007.
Reagan allegedly received the briefing at Camp David, Maryland, between Friday and Sunday, March 6 and 8, 1981. Other top advisors to Reagan were also said to be present.
It was claimed in the 2007 internet posting that the briefing was presented by a CIA contract employee who worked within a group of "caretakers" who reportedly safeguard records and resources about the issue of extraterrestrial visitation to, and activities on Earth.
The transcript includes discussion of U.S. Government efforts to both deceive and inform the public about UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation.
Subsequently, Reagan mentions stories from his days as a Hollywood actor.
"I always knew there was some form of cooperation between our government and the motion picture industry. I heard rumors over the years ... even during my acting days."
The CIA "caretaker" explains further to Reagan.
"Well, Mr. President, the first cooperative venture was the movie, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. That was a cooperative venture with the United States Air Force and the movie industry."
HOLLYWOOD AND UFOS
This account is not the first such report of U.S. Government relationships with Hollywood about the topic of UFOs.
Many credible reports allege that Walt Disney was approached in 1957 by the Air Force to produce a documentary film that would inform and educate the public about extraterrestrial visitation to Earth. However, after work on the project was begun, the Air Force reportedly cancelled it.
The 1977 Steven Spielberg movie CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND was also reported to have had technical advisors who had specific knowledge of the UFO situation.
Early in the film, the police chase involving several officers in pursuit of UFOs in Ohio is reportedly based on a real incident.
It has also been claimed that the special 12-person team that mysteriously appears in several scenes, including the climax involving the departure of the extraterrestrial spaceship, is based on a real classified mission.
In fact, in the alleged briefing to Reagan, the president follows up on the briefer´s reference to The Day the Earth Stood Still.
"That movie, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, was that one of them?" asks Reagan.
"Yes, Mr. President, we provided the basic subject matter for that movie," the briefer answers.
Reagan: "Was it based on a real incident?"
In the alleged transcript, the "caretaker" briefing the president answers with an overview U.S. Government activities following the "Roswell incident" and in the following years. The explanation is an answer in the affirmative to Reagan's question.
Reagan: "OK, this is just amazing! I can see, about that movie. The movie was based on a real event. I saw that movie. Twelve men left, along with Richard Dreyfuss."
Then-CIA director William Casey tells Reagan, "Mr. President, yes, the movie was similar to the real event, at least the last part of the movie."
FACT AND FICTION
Creative works such as films, TV, books, articles and other media are often presented as non-fiction or fiction. However, the lines between these two categories are often blurry.
Documentary or non-fiction works might sometimes have inaccuracies or misrepresentations, both precise and more subtle.
Fictional works can contain much truth and be a representation of real events, with some details changed.
There can be many kinds of blending of fact and fiction.
Based on current public knowledge, it is unclear if the original THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL was, in fact, partially based on real events or that the Air Force was involved in the movie's content.
Likewise, the 2008 version starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly may or may not include elements based on input from insiders who may know more about the topics in the film.
The alleged 1981 briefing to Ronald Reagan that included references to the movie and to Spielberg's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND may or may not be real. Or, the briefing could also be a blend of fact and fiction.
In fact, the series of UFO-related information releases of which the Reagan UFO briefing was a part have been considered by some observers to possibly contain certain facts and truths wrapped in inaccurate information.
The blending of truth and deception is a method often used in disinformation, psychological operations and similar types of intelligence activities involving public perception management. So, it is possible that some accounts, reports, information releases, rumors and tales about the UFO situation could contain truths buried within creative and fictional contexts.
Our understanding of, and adjustment to surprising situations regarding these kinds of unusual topics seemingly could be helped by movies, TV shows, books and other works that address these subjects in useful ways.
They can open our minds to possibilities and possible realities.
