WAR OF THE WORLDS

* * *

STARRING: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Lewis Martin, Bob Cornwaithe

1953, 85 Minutes, Directed by: Byron Haskin

Description: After the success of 1950's Destination Moon and 1951's When Worlds Collide, visionary producer George Pal brought the classic H.G. Wells story of a Martian invasion to the big screen, and it instantly became a science fiction classic and winner of the 1953 Academy Award for Best Special Effects. As formations of alien ships continue to wreak destruction around the globe, the military is helpless to stop this enemy while scientists race to find an effective weapon. Gene Barry and Ann Robinson play the hero and heroine roles that were de rigueur for movies like this in the '50s. Inspired little kids such as Steven Spielberg (not to mention Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, whose Independence Day cribs liberally from the plot) and still packs a punch. — Amazon.com

Big budget 1950s film version of the classic H.G. Wells novel of the same name in which Earth is invaded by Martians. Okay acting and nifty special effects for its time, the story (typically) is transposed to America with American actors. However, some stupid moments make for unintended hilarity.

Dumbest moment in the film? When all the Martian invaders are dying, we see a small group of people gathered around an alien tentacle protruding from beneath a mass of rubble. The tentacle squirms a bit, then stops. One of the characters comes forward, check the Martian's pulse and then solemnly informs the others: "It's dead." No shit, Sherlock!

Otherwise this is an imminently watchable film - better than many other B-grade science fiction films with similar themes of alien invasion. Make a point of seeing it the next time it's on some late night television station and don't forget the popcorn . . .

Read the script.
Tagline: "Amazing! terrifying! The Most Savage Spectacle of All Time!"
Fact #1: None of the models 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.
Fact # 2: In an apparent homage to the famous Orson Welles radio broadcast, when the hatch of the Martian machine begins to unscrew, the same technique, a metal lid being turned on a glass jar, was used to create the sound effect.
Retro Hugo Award Winner (2004, for works appearing in 1953)

Sci-Fi Movie Page Pick: Mars attacks! The granddaddy alien invasion tale of them all. If you haven't seen this 1953 movie based on the H.G. Wells novel yet, then do so today!

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