THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

US, 1953, 85 minutes, Colour.
Gene Barry, Ann Robinson. Narrated by Cedric Hardwicke.
Directed by Byron Haskin.

The War of the Worlds is science-fiction of the early 50's. This means that it blazed trails in techniques and themes for the later, more sophisticated films of the genre in the 60's and 70's. Allowing for less polish in the effects, the film is worth seeing. (It might be remembered that it was with this H. G. Wells story that Orson Welles scared America in his famous hoax broadcast of 1938).

Director Byron Haskin made the superior science-fiction parable, Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

1. Was this a good film? Was it B grade acting but A grade science-fiction?

2. Comment on the film as science film - its styles, its realism, colour, special effects. Did this make the film worthwhile science-fiction?

3. What allowances must be made for the fact that the film was released in 1953, and science-fiction styles have become much more sophisticated? Does the film stand up after these allowances have been made? Why?

4. What was H. G. Wells' message in writing The war of the Worlds? Does this message come through in the film? What impact does this message have today? Have we become too sophisticated for such a message to make any impact?

5. If the film is considered a fable, does this make more impact? A fable of invasion of the world from outside, and human reaction to this? Would anyone today think such an invasion possible?

6. What did the film show of human reactions to the invasion? The immediate reactions of curiosity, deaths, fear? Publicity, reporters, sensationalism, warnings? The invasions throughout the world?

7. Did authorities and scientists rise to the occasion well in making plans for containing the invasion?

8. What impact did the sequences of people's selfishness make on you? The scenes of taking trucks and preventing the scientists getting through? How pessimistic a vision of people's reaction is this, or would you consider it real?

9. Comment on the balance of the people in the churches praying and caring for one another. Would people react in this way too? Is this a genuine reaction. or just fear of disaster rather than trust in God?

10. The film ended happily enough. Was this an over-optimistic ending, or was it a necessary reassurance for audiences?

11. What is the impact of a film like this?