I've searched on IMDB, and I'm not sure where else to go. But I know someone here will know...

Years ago I watched a black-and-white science fiction movie, maybe from the late 50s or early 60s.

Aliens come to Earth. Their world is dying and they want the Earth, but our planet cannot support both races. They are peaceful, and cannot kill us, so instead they give a handful of people small transparent disks. In each disk is three capsules. The person holding the disk must command it to open, and then recite a latitude and longitude. When they do, each capsule will then kill all humans for a radius of (as I recall) 5000 kilometers, and in this way the aliens can have the Earth.

There was some sharp political commentary (the Russian, Chinese and US governments all try to get the disks from the people). One scene that stuck with me was the lead scientist saying they needed to test the device, so he gives himself a lethal dose of radiation, thus forcing the government to test the device on him (they send him to the middle of the Pacific so as not to kill anyone else).

That must be enough info to get a title. I think it had a number in it...

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Phil Plait
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
badastro@badastronomy.com

Heh. I found it! The 27th Day. I knew it had a number in it.

It took some IMDB searching (1950-1970, keyword "alien", then sift through the results).

Now I just need to find a copy...

__________________
Phil Plait
The Bad Astronomer
http://www.badastronomy.com
badastro@badastronomy.com

After reading your description, I have to thank you for warning me away from it.

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Life is like a box of chocolates. All of your choices are bad for you.

Actually, its a pretty good movie. If I recall correctly, 5 people are given a box with three devices each, only they can open the box. However, once the box is open anyone can use the device.

Three Americans, one Russian and a chinese woman are the receivers. The people act as I think most real people would in that situation. They keep quiet, hoping the problem just goes away, but the aliens make a world announcement and list the humans who were selected. I always felt sorry for the Russian and Chinese man and woman, but I think that I would have done the same things in there place.

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Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, people want to be entertained.

Hey, it's Bat Masterson!

It's the premise that there are aliens who are too peaceful to kill us but can give us the means to destroy ourselves with the expectation that we'll use it that seems silly to me.

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Life is like a box of chocolates. All of your choices are bad for you.

A sort of judge - "if you are worthy to live, you will not use this.."

I can recall the film as a kid - and for my taste back then it was glacial in pacing. Would be interesting to revisit today, now I understand a bit more about character and plot rather than monsters trashing things

Do you mean Dr. Clayton Forrester?

The Western Channel is currently doing reruns of "Bat Masterson". I like the reruns of the Rifleman better.

I haven't see the good version of "War of the Worlds" in awhile.

__________________
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, people want to be entertained.

The same!