ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

Here's what I wrote about "War of the Worlds" in my personal collection of reviews for science fiction movies from 1900 to 1977. I called the project "Vintage Science Fiction". I did it just for the love of the genre.

Whenever I post a review from VSF, please post corrections of any mistakes you notice. Remember, I'm a fan . . . not an expert.
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WAR OF THE WORLDS - (1953) George Pal took a classic science fiction novel by H. G. Wells and turned it into a classic science fiction film with Oscar-winning special effects by Gorden Jennings and crew, music by Leith Stevens, beautiful technicolor photography, skilled direction by Byron Haskins, a first rate cast, and a sterling script by Barre' Lyndon that successfully brings Wells' nineteenth century story up to the twentieth century.

Sir Cedric Hardwick provides the opening narration, with spectacular paintings by the Chesley Bonestell which take the audience on an eye-popping tour of the Solar System.

The characters in "War of the Worlds" are complex and endearing. Gene Barry ("The 27th Day") portrays a scientist who is both intelligent and enthusiastic. When he first sees the Martian war machines he's as gleeful as a school boy watching a circus parade. Ann Robinson's character is an appealing lady. In addition to being beautiful and feminine, she has a Master's degree and a great deal of courage. Miss Robinson attended the Famous Monsters convention several years ago, and fans reported that she was as lovely as ever.

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Other notable cast members include scientist Robert Cornthwaite and newsman Paul Frees (both from "The Thing from Another World"). Paul Birch ("Not of This Earth") plays one of the three men who try to greet the first Martians. The Army general is Les Tremayne, who did the opening narration for "Forbidden Planet" and played a reporter in "The Monolith Monsters".

"War of the Worlds" is one of the most well known sci-fi hits of the 1950s, a reputation it richly deserved. George Pal endowed it with the same high quality as his two previous science fiction hits ("Destination Moon" and "When Worlds Collide"). Of the $2,000,000 spent on the budget, $1,300,000 went to the special effects. A must-see for all science fiction fans.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bongopete]

One of the true GREAT scifi films!!!!!!!

Poor Ann Robinson....basically suffers a mental breakdown from right after her Uncle is killed till the end of the movie.

She is pretty much in shock from then on.

This movie shows the one thing that the Spielberg version doesn't (though it teases us with making us think it is about to) which is the opening battle between the military and the Martians.

No, this film isn't a movie version of the book and it only shares a few points with that novel . . . but divorced from the Welles story this film IS still probably the best movie dealing with an overt alien invasion where the subject matter is not handled with humor.

[The Spike]

Smashing sci-fi film that is a landmark for special effects.

Martians invade Earth with total destructive powers which are seemingly unstoppable. Mankind must find a way to beat them before all is Lost.

In spite of the uproar and considerable success of Orson Welles' 1938 radio adaptation of the H.G Wells novel, War Of The Worlds was a topic that directors were staying well away from. Such highly esteemed men asCecil B. DeMille and Alfred Hitchcock were rumored to be interested, but it always came down to a worry that the special effects needed for the story were too much of a headache.

Enter producer George Pal, noted for Puppetoon shorts, managed to sway the big wigs at Paramount that it could indeed be done.

Directed by Byron Haskin, this version of the source moves the location from Edwardian England to 20th Century America, and was a treat because the watching American public were genuinely unnerved at the sight of contemporary America being reduced to rubble by an invading force.

The makers furthered our sense of dread by only letting us glimpse the aliens once in a wonderful scene (respectfully homaged in Stephen Spielberg's 2005 version of the source). Other than that scene, we are subjected to attack after attack from shiny Martian machines and ground breaking effects working their magic on an impressionable audience.

Outside of those known to hardcore sci-fi fans, the cast doesn't contain any stars of note — probably due to all the money being used on the effects. Many of them come across as wooden beyond compare, though the lovely Ann Robinson lights up every scene she is in.

War Of The Worlds 1953 still stands proud as a brave and hugely enjoyable picture whose importance has never been (nor should it be) understated. And even allowing for nostalgic fervor from this particular viewer, I heartily recommend this film to anyone interested in template movies for the sci-fi genre. 7/10
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The quality of mercy is not strnen.

[Robert (Butch) Day]

And watch for Woody Woodpecker!
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Common Sense ISN'T Common

[Pow]

One of the finest sf films ever.

Always thought that the manta ray shape of the Martian vessels was very cool looking.

Perhaps an influence on the Flying Sub from Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea---another terrific looking craft.

[Eadie]

Here is where Woody Wood Pecker is in the movie. He is easy to miss.

[URL=

[Bud Brewster]

Yes, indeed, on the DVD commentary Anne Robinson (but not Gene Barry) does claim that Woody is at the top of the tree, but I'll be danged if I can spot anything remotely like the famous Woodpecker in this image -- the best I could make (and enhance) right off the DVD.

Maybe it isn't a matter of Woody being in this tree, maybe it's a matter of Anne being a bit out of her tree, if you'll pardon the expression . . .



Can anybody else find him -- even with the help of these inserts?


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

I can't make out Woody in the tree, but I think I see him in the clouds. Or maybe it's an elephant. I dunno.
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...or not...

WayneO
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[Bud Brewster]

[Maurice]

Pretty good page about the movie.

http://www.roger-russell.com/war/war.htm
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"The absence of limitations is the enemy of art."
― Orson Welles

[Bud Brewster]

Hot Dog, that is indeed a fine site for learning more about the production of War of the Worlds, Maurice! Thanks for providing that link.

And it has quite a few wonderful behind-the-scenes shots to enjoy, too — like these.











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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Robert (Butch) Day]

It's a Woody toy doll and is at the top right branch.
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Common Sense ISN'T Common

[orzel-w]

Well, if we're reviving that old issue, I'll agree that the inset in that image is a Woody doll.



But I can't make out where in the larger image the inset is taken from. The background colors don't seem to match anything.


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...or not...

WayneO
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[Bud Brewster]

Ah come on, guys! The notion that Woody is in that tree is just a myth. If you stare at the picture long enough . . . there's still not a hint of a woodpecker in those branches.

[Bud Brewster]

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Naturally a classic like this one has a wealth of trivia items on IMDB. The text in blue are the ones I found especially interesting.
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George Pal initially planned to portray the Martians and their fighting machines similarly to how they appear in the original novel. However, after being informed by a United States Army technical adviser that the Tripods, as they are portrayed in the 1897 novel, would pose no real threat to a 1950s era human military, he opted to change the fighting machines. Namely, Pal chose to introduce the atom bomb-resistant deflector shields.

Note from me: By gum, the guy was right! The weapons of the 1950s would knock those lovely tripods over pretty easy, I guess.


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Paramount Pictures always wanted to put out a stereo version of The War of the Worlds (1953) on home video, but couldn't do so because the only archival sound elements it did not have from the film were the ones of the Martian ships. Luckily, the makers of the War of the Worlds (1988) television series had to recreate the sounds of the Martian warships from scratch for the series, which Paramount used to finally create its stereo version of the science-fiction classic.

Note from me: I'm not sure why a stereo version of the sound the ships made would prevent the creation of a stereo audio for home video. I wonder if this item is accurate.

None of the original Martian war machines exist today. They were made out of copper, and after production, they were reportedly donated to a Boy Scout copper drive.

Note from me: I know this is just wishful thinking, but I got a funny mental image of several Boy Scouts playing in the backyard with their newly acquired Martian war machines!


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In the theatrical trailer, when the first Martian meteor hits the Earth, there is a large explosion and a cloud of smoke. In the film itself, the same shot contains only a flash when the meteor hits.

Note from me: Hey! This item is right! I've always been a little bothered by the wimpy flash that occurs when the meteor hits, but if you watch the trailer below you'll see the big explosion at the 20 second mark.

And as soon as I saw it I realized that nobody would believe that the Martian spaceship (much less the Martians themselves) could survive an impact that produced such a large fireball! So, the wimpy flash is actually justified.

________ The War of the Worlds (1953) - Trailer

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)