ALL SCI-FI

mach7 · Quantum Engineer Joined: 23 Apr 2015 Posts: 395

If we can step back a bit in this thread.

Like you, tmlindsey, I really want to see a classic period piece
production of WotW's which is yrue to Wells' vision, A statement on British imperialism and Victorian arrogance.

The 1953 George Pal film is almost perfect for an updated version. I could never get through more than 15 minutes
of the Spielberg abomination. It completely misses the point.
I had high hopes for the recent BBC miniseries, but it quickly fell short. I never even watched the last episode.

It's been 20 years since I've read the book, maybe it's time for a re-read.

tmlindsey · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 5:39 pm Post subject:

For years I used to read the book every fall when I was a teen.

Maxwell Caulfield did an audio book version around 2012 that is excellent, IMO.

I haven't liked a lot of the audio drama versions, but do like the musical version, even if it's creator is a wanker.
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"Have you never wondered what it would be like to walk between the ticks and tocks of Time?"

mach7 · Quantum Engineer Joined: 23 Apr 2015 Posts: 395

I just finished a re-read of the book.

As I remembered, it's a very well written book. I had to keep reminding myself that it was done in 1897! As science fiction, Well's vision holds up.

Like tmlindsey, I wonder if the "Martians" are really outside invaders and the dead bipeds found in their cylinders are the true Martians. Wells also points out that there is indications that the "Martians" also invaded Venus.

One element that contradicts that theory is the fact that the "Martians" were killed by germs, as there are none on Mars.
In this case the bipeds must have co-developed with the Martians or are a less evolved version of the Martians.

As posted earlier, the book is an effective reflection on Victorian morals and policies, both towards less advanced cultures and animals in general.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 3:47 pm Post subject:

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Back when I was in high school (sixty years ago Rolling Eyes

), I read several of Wells' novels and short stories, along with novels by Arthur C. Clark and others. The school library had a good collection.

But I've never read War of the Worlds, and I'm intrigued by the inclusion of the "biped" Martians mentioned by Mark (aka March7 Very Happy

).

The website on which I found the illustration shown below — Fandom.com — describes it as "The only official illustration of the Bipedal-Martians."

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Fandom.com says the book only includes descriptions of the dead-or-partially-eaten bodies of these creatures, and the novel's narrator surmises that they were food animals for the tentacled Martians. Not surprising in view of the way it looks like a cross between an anorexic guy and a plump turkey! Shocked

But since the Martians didn't cook them, apparently the octopus-like aliens considered these guys their version of sushi! Ironic ain't it? Very Happy

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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 · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

Pondering a couple items discussed above...

1. Martians not having invented the wheel: There are around 350 joints for movement in the human adult. None are based on the wheel, but they serve quite well for mobility and dexterity. If the Martian "machinery" is indeed organic, it seems like they could bypass the wheel.

2. The bipedal creatures the Martians used for food and the Martians themselves could very well both be native to Mars. The Terran analogy here is bipedal humans using quadrupedal cows, bipedal fowl, and finned fish as food sources.
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...or not...

WayneO
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Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 5:30 pm Post subject:

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Excellent thinking, Wayne!

It occurs to me that the bipedal Martian food animals might have been genetically engineered by the Martians, based on what they observed here on Earth with probes which sent back info.

After all, they look like fat turkeys!

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

tmlindsey · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:13 am Post subject:

Bud Brewster · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 5:22 pm Post subject:

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Hey, I'm not criticizing the poor guy! I think he looks delicious! Very Happy

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

Bud Brewster · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:35 pm Post subject:

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Seriously, if that creature wasn't bred as a food animal, then God didn't make little green apples, and it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summertime!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Maurice · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 4:46 pm Post subject:

tmlindsey · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:41 pm Post subject:

I just watched this "retelling" and can honestly say- don't waste your time.

Maybe it's a generational thing but the main characters act bizarrely at times, IMO. If you and your "friends" dodge Martian invaders trying to get to your missing mother, is it normal for your friends to make faces and razz you when you tell your mother you love her when you find her?

They "cleverly" name the two male leads Ogilvy and Herbert Wells which made me roll my eyes. The Ogilvy character is annoying from the start.

Also, no one seems particularly affected by what the Martians are doing, other than groan about not having their digital tech to rely on. Life changing events seem to roll off their back and then they're back to being themselves, making quips or whatever. No one learns or is transformed emotionally in any way that I can see. It's like their reaction to finally seeing the Martians "feeding" is more akin to 'Oh, that's, like, so gross' than to one of utter horror.

The whole thing is uneven; writing, acting, FX are all inconsistent, and none of them are particularly good. A few lines from the book are poorly reworked at the beginning, and some book scenarios are briefly brought in, but overall it just doesn't work. It has a very amateurish quality to it. Got those Zoomer diversity boxes ticked, though.

Also, don't watch if you don't like the camera constantly shaking or floating around. Clearly the only tripods in this production were the Martians'.

This is definitely set up for a sequel, but I will not be watching it if it materializes.

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"Have you never wondered what it would be like to walk between the ticks and tocks of Time?"