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Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite, Sandro Giglio, Lewis Martin, Houseley Stevenson Jr., Paul Frees

After having seen Spielberg’s War of the Worlds (2005), which I thought was ok, but not great. My perception of the 2005 version was heavily influenced after having read H.G. Wells’ novel some twenty years ago. Recently when I decided to watch the 1953 version by Byron Haskins, I approached the matter with a more open mind than of my experience with Spielberg. It certainly helped, as I experienced a suspenseful science fiction drama of genocide with several interesting ideas presented, as the film opens with two consecutive newsreels of World War I and World War II. ***

A fear-inducing opening enlightens the audience about Martians studying the earth and the human species as a scientist would bacteria in a Petri dish, as Earth is the only inhabitable planet. Consequently, a meteor (we know differently!) lands outside a small Californian town inhabited by 99.99% Caucasians. Maybe, the exaggerated number of Caucasians is an unconscious reflection on the European colonialism that ousted many native tribes in America while killing millions in the years before while it also brought Christianity to the American continent. After all, H.G. Wells’ novel was a form of criticism of on the European colonization, and he reversed the table in The War of the Worlds. ***

Despite historical facts of alienation of natives in the United States, ironically the first three men (maybe a reference to the three wise men that visited Bethlehem) face the deadly rays of the Martians after have attempted to advance the aliens with friendly intentions sharing their Earth. In a sense, the film both touches on and misses the big points of H.G. Wells’ novel, while it becomes a loose adaptation that depicts the world under siege, which brings the mind to the influences of time such as the recent World War II and the beginning the Cold War. However, in this adaptation Haskin’s delivers both the negative and positive aspects of humanity with a significant trace by Christianity. ***

The story closely follows Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) who is on a fishing trip in the area of the first meteor landing in California. The local government invites him to investigate the meteor, as he discovers that it is still extremely hot and emits radioactivity. After a bout of square dancing, the invasion begins while Dr. Forrester offers his services to the local government and military. However, it does not take long before they have to send for help and inform the President about their troubles, as another meteor lands nearby. ***

Humanity finds itself on the brink of extinction, as these newly arrived Martians have begun to eradicate all life on Earth. People pray for an answer, while the Martians continue with their systematic genocide of the human race, and the humans cannot find a solution that would stop the invaders. The destruction is close to complete, when the United States government realizes that there is no other way out than to use the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb seems like a wondrous and simple solution, but the aftermath of an atomic bomb also has its cost. Nonetheless, the decision is made, as the nation’s leaders do not see another solution to the invincible creatures, than to drop the bomb. ***

War of the Worlds does not look like much today, but in 1954, it won an Oscar for best special effects. The film scared numerous viewers, including my grandfather, who I asked, and watched the film in his small local theater during a Sunday afternoon sometime in 1956. The film efficiently applied the element of fear in way that suggested a presence of both immediate and looming fear, as if something terrible could happen while it occurs on the silver screen. A similar fear raised the Iron Curtain between East and West. The film ends with a vague moral that simultaneously presents both a blessing and a warning, as it should be pondered for the next generation. *** ---

A remastered image emerges like phoenix out of the ashes, as the sparklingly clear picture quality shows it all. The wires of the special effects are visible when starring for a while and the environmental details are lucid and obvious. However, the special effects fade quickly compared to the 2005 version by Spielberg, but in a historical perspective, this step was necessary for the success of Star Wars and other science fiction films. ***

The mono soundtrack brings the authentic experience while the stereo soundtrack elevates the cinematic experience. However, do not expect an experience that is THX certified or DTS audio would with its swish and swooshes through the screening room’s air space. *** ---

Unlike the previously barebones release of the 1953 version of War of the Worlds on DVD this special edition has several gems available for the audience. The extras will all be covered in separate paragraphs in order to provide a more detailed description for each extra feature that ventures with the DVD. ***

The Sky is Falling: The Making of the War of the Worlds: The first piece is a documentary on the making of the film. A brief foreword to The Sky is Falling presented by several actors reveals the film’s importance in history and the remaining 30 minutes continues to disclose the film’s importance. Photographs and recent interviews also reveal how the film was made, which is interesting as it provides a comparison to modern-day filmmakers. ***

H.G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction – This documentary on H.G. Wells’ life offers insightful facts in regards to his life and his accomplishments as a writer. Several people of importance in regards to Wells’ existence provide much of the information through interviews, which rotate with old photos and drawings. There is also intriguing reference to his Wells’ prediction of the World Wide Web in this brief 10-minute documentary. ***

The Mercury Theater on the Air Presents: The War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast – Orson Welles’ infamous radiobroadcast of World of the World that was aired in October 30th, 1938, which caused mass hysteria and panic in New Jersey. This is a true gem for us who have never heard it, but have heard about this legendary broadcast through friends, teachers, and other media sources. ***

Original Theatrical Trailer & Previews – These two features do not require an extensive explanation. However, in the previews the audience can find advertisements for Star Trek – The Original Series: Season 3, and the 4400: Season 1. *** ---

The War of the Worlds deserves a screening, as it made a significant contribution to the development of the science fiction genre. It also provides an exciting story that will keep the audience’s attention despite its out-of-date special effects. Personally, I must say that it belongs in any DVD collection out of a perspective of being both valuable historically and visually. ***