The War of the Worlds

For it's day; and, even this day, this is classic, almost perfect, masterpiece. Brilliant design work on the alien ships, incredible sound effects, and sharp, vivid colors. Pacing in this film is tight, and Barry's performance as a scientist in giddy awe of the alien's capabilities is masterful. Finally, the realism of the story telling is unrivalled in most modern science fiction films. All right, it's not true to Wells' original, but what's wrong with updating the story, especially when it is this effective.

Even though this is not a literal translation of the H.G. Welles classic, this is still a good film. I especially loved how it was updated to the 20th century and that all our modern weapons, including the atom bomb, couldn't destroy the Martians. George Pal is definitely one of the most underrated directors of science fiction and this film along his When Worlds Collide and The Time Machine stand out among the great science fiction films of all time.

Decided to view this film which has been showing on TV for a very long time and enjoyed the great efforts of the director to create a great Classic Sci-Fi Film. Gene Barry (Dr. Clayton Forrester),"Burke's Law,TV Series, '63, gave a great performance hiding behind some rather large framed glasses. Ann Robinson,(Sylvia Van Buren),"Imitation of Life",'59 gave a great supporting role and helped Dr. Forrester try to defeat the invading enemy from another planet. This is a great Classic film from the 1950's, however, I am very glad that our films industry has progressed since this flick. I never thought we would ever see just what the enemy looked like and the ending of the film will surprise you to NO END!!! KEEP PRAYING!

Even if the dialogue is occasionally corny, and the miraculous deliverance somewhat clumsily staged, there is no denying that for me that War of the Worlds is a sci-fi classic. The story is great concerning the Martian invasion and the government's attempt to stern the destruction, the music is atmospheric and the acting is very good. Gene Barry is believable as Dr Forrester, and Ann Robinson is an alluring Sylvia. Sir Cedric Hardwicke also does a really good job with the narration. Also well done is the direction, Byron Haskin ensures that his extras convey a genuine sense of terror as civilisation collapses around them. But the real star are the special effects, they still hold up well after all these years, are really effective and thoroughly deserved the Oscar. Asides from the effects, the film looks good, the cinematography is skillful and the sets are good too. And the sound is amazing too, the scream especially is heart-stopping Overall, classic sci-fi. 9/10 Bethany Cox

HG Wells' futuristic novel responds well to the Technicolor splashed on it in this 50s B classic. Gene Barry over emotes in the lead now and then but the martian invasion is handled very well and the tension rises to the final scenes where the surviving populace huddle in the church as the buildings crash and burn around them. 'War of the Worlds' deserves its place as both a highly regarded novel and a well-remembered movie. Byron Haskin and George Pal did a great job in visualising the apocalyptic bits of Wells' text, while still making the end result enjoyable and interesting for the viewer. Recommended for fans of intellectualised science fiction.

The film adaptation of the H.G. Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians. So, you know, most of the backgrounds look like matte paintings, creating a set that is only about ten or twenty feet in depth. But that is unimportant. The colors, the impressive meteor and alien technology... few films -- maybe none -- were able to look so incredible in that era. The story has been told multiple times, and most people are probably aware of the basics. But this version may be the best, far better than the Tom Cruise version fifty years later, and maybe even better than the original radio drama.