The Original The War of the Worlds Movie (1953)

A Golden Age Science Fiction Film from the 1950s

Jul 24, 2009

H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds underwent a few changes in this 1953 movie version that probably would not have pleased him . Still, this adaptation remains entertaining.

Science fiction has been a mainstay of the movies ever since Frenchman Georges Melies created A Trip to the Moon in 1902. However, science fiction films probably reached their peak in the 1950s when the genre was used to create anti-Communism parables; to express concerns about the newly-born Atomic Age; and/or to contemplate mankind’s place in the universe.

H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds Book (1898)

The War of the Worlds, like many of Wells’ works, was actually meant as social criticism and satire. In this instance, his tale of Earth’s invasion by Martians was meant to show his concerns about growing militarism and colonialism, particularly on the part of Great Britain and Germany. In his book, the “Martians” actually represent the worst in human beings.

Hollywood's first version of Wells' story is only a loose adaptation. Originally set in Victorian England, the story's locale was moved to the California of the 1950s. It ignored Wells' anti-war and anti-colonialism themes and introduced religious undertones, something of which the atheist Wells would have disapproved. Also, with a few exceptions, most of the novel’s characters and incidents do not appear in the film version.

The War of the Worlds Movie

Vacationing scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) investigates the scene of an unusual “meteorite” impact and, along with others, including heroine Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson), discovers that the object found in its large crater is actually a spaceship from which a mysterious death ray soon appears. After the device kills numerous bystanders, the army is called in and soon finds it is no match for the invaders.

Eventually a flying saucer (not the walking tripod of Wells’ book) emerges from the crater and links up with similar aircraft from other “meteorite” landings. Soon alien craft are landing all over the world and it becomes obvious that Earth’s civilization is in peril.

While enduring numerous close calls, Clayton and Sylvia travel to Los Angeles, where Clayton hopes to link up with other scientists. While there a final battle takes place and, as in Wells’ book, mankind is victorious after the invaders succumb to deadly (for them) germs.

Analysis: The War of the Worlds Is a Flawed But Still Enjoyable Science Fiction Movie

The film has several weaknesses. Gene Barry, who would eventually go on to a successful, if not spectacular acting career, is often wooden in his performance, and Ann Robinson fares only slightly better. The story also contains several scientific errors (as does the book). Although the special effects were state of the art for the 1950s, wires and other devices can sometimes be seen.

The movie’s numerous memorable scenes are its definite strong points. Among these are: the opening of the alien spaceship at the crater; the appearance of the flying saucers, which resemble one-eyed birds and make an eerie pinging sound; Barry and Robinson being entrapped in a demolished house while a Martian roams about (the only time an alien is actually shown); and, the climatic destruction of Los Angeles.

Seen by some critics at the that time and since as an allegory of the conflict between the West and the Soviet Union, the movie is actually best enjoyed as a simple adventure story.

The Movie Remake of The War of the Worlds

In 2005 Steven Spielberg directed a remake of the movie starring Tom Cruise and featuring cameos by Gene Barry and Ann Robinson as Cruise‘s in-laws. Although set in modern day New England, Spielberg’s remake was more faithful to Wells’ story, particularly in regard to many of the characters, the walking tripod fighting machines, and the vampire-like characteristics of the aliens.

Despite the semi-faithfulness of the story, the “all-star” quality of the cast, and the elaborate special effects of Spielberg’s version, the 1953 movie is generally rated higher.

The War of the Worlds DVD

Both the 1953 and 2005 versions of The War of the Worlds are available on DVD from several sources.

The copyright of the article The Original The War of the Worlds Movie (1953) in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films is owned by John K. Davis. Permission to republish The Original The War of the Worlds Movie (1953) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.