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The War of the Worlds (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
26 August 1953 (USA) moreTagline:
Amazing! terrifying! The most savage spectacle of all time! morePlot:
The film adaptation of the H.G.Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Hellboy writer to direct Mortis Rex (From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 10:02 PM, PDT)
AFI Fest 2009: Something’S Gonna Live, North By Northwest
(From Alternative Film Guide. 26 October 2009, 12:41 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Classic! more (178 total)US TV Schedule:
| Fri. Nov. 13 | 10:00 AM | AMC | |||
| Sun. Nov. 15 | 9:00 AM | AMC | |||
| Mon. Nov. 16 | 4:00 AM | AMC | more |
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Gene Barry | ... | Dr. Clayton Forrester | |
| Ann Robinson | ... | Sylvia Van Buren | |
| Les Tremayne | ... | Maj. Gen. Mann | |
| Robert Cornthwaite | ... | Dr. Pryor (as Bob Cornthwaite) | |
| Sandro Giglio | ... | Dr. Bilderbeck | |
| Lewis Martin | ... | Pastor Dr. Matthew Collins | |
| Houseley Stevenson Jr. | ... | Gen. Mann's aide | |
| Paul Frees | ... | Second Radio Reporter / Opening Announcer | |
| William Phipps | ... | Wash Perry (as Bill Phipps) | |
| Vernon Rich | ... | Col. Ralph Heffner | |
| Henry Brandon | ... | Cop at Crash Site | |
| Jack Kruschen | ... | Salvatore | |
| Cedric Hardwicke | ... | Commentary (voice) (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke) | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Cliff Clark | ... | Australian Policeman (scenes deleted) | |
| Rudy Lee | ... | Boy (scenes deleted) | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
85 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording) (35 mm optical prints) | 3 Channel Stereo (Western Electric Multi-Track Magnetic Stereophonic) (35 mm magnetic prints)Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #16011) (original rating) | Netherlands:12 | Spain:T | Germany:16 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | USA:G (re-rating) (1977) | West Germany:16 (nf) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1954) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:GFun Stuff
Trivia:
The Martian war machines had about twenty wires running to each one. Some were for suspension and maneuvering, while others carried power to the various lights and mechanisms. This was produced before there were lightweight circuits and sophisticated radio controls. moreGoofs:
Continuity: Blonde woman on top of the bus during the looting scenes is seen twice. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Radio Reporter: [voiceover] In the First World War, and for the first time in the history of man, nations combined to fight against nations using the crude weapons of those days. The Second World War involved every continent on the globe, and men turned to science for new devices of warfare, which reached an unparalleled peak in their capacity for destruction. And now, fought with the terrible weapons of super-science, menacing all mankind and every creature on the Earth comes the War of the Worlds.
more
FAQ
Where (according to the movie) did the Martians first land?more
more (178 total)
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Somewhere out in the American West, a huge meteor-like projectile crashes in the soil. Everyone initially believes it to be nothing more than a meteor, but soon all learn it is really an investigative ship from the planet Mars out to destroy anything and everything in its path. This film directed by Byron Haskin, based on a script by Barre Lyndon, and produced by George Pal is one of the quintessential science fiction films of the 50's, otherwise known as the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Based on the novel of the same name by H. G. Wells, this film keeps the spirit of the book intact while changing some things like the setting. The book takes place primarily in and around London. All of the talents in this film help make The War of the Worlds an innovative, intelligent, and evocative film that tries to get one thinking about alien invaders and their intentions. The earthlings in this film are the good ones...trying to be friendly, yet, treated as nothing more than impediments in the Martians' way. So many scenes in this film are strong: the army fighting the Martian space ship while a man of God tries to make peace with the strangers, the old farmhouse, and the ending as the aliens attack Los Angelos. Acting is strong too as leads Gene Barry - doing a very good job as a scientist who just happens to be nearby - and Ann Robinson convincingly portray what life might be like in a world with such horrific news. But despite a first-rate script, solid direction from Haskin, and good acting, The War of the Worlds owes its greatest debt to producer George Pal. Pal knew how to put films like this together and was a driving force in the film's innovative and unique special effects. Who could forget those bright green Martian ships or that figure of a Martian?