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The War of the Worlds (1953)

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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 18,207 users  
Reviews: 200 user | 82 critic

The film adaptation of the H.G.Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians.

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Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: The War of the Worlds (1953)

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
...
Robert Cornthwaite ...
Dr. Pryor (as Bob Cornthwaite)
Sandro Giglio ...
Lewis Martin ...
Houseley Stevenson Jr. ...
Gen. Mann's aide (as Housely Stevenson Jr.)
Paul Frees ...
Second Radio Reporter / Opening Announcer
William Phipps ...
Wash Perry (as Bill Phipps)
Vernon Rich ...
...
Cop at Crash Site
...
...
Commentary (voice) (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Cliff Clark ...
Australian Policeman (scenes deleted)
Rudy Lee ...
Boy (scenes deleted)
Edit

Storyline

H.G. Well's classic novel is brought to life is this tale of alien invasion. The residents of a small town in California are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills. Their joy is tempered somewhat when they discover that it has passengers who are not very friendly. The movie itself is understood better when you consider that it was made at the height of the Cold War--just replace Martian with Russian.... Written by KC Hunt <khunt@eng.morgan.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

martian | invasion | h.g. wells | radio | bomb | See more »

Taglines:

The original invasion! See more »


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

26 August 1953 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La guerre des mondes  »

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording) (35 mm optical prints)| (Western Electric Multi-Track Magnetic Stereophonic) (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)| (newsreel archive footage before opening credits)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The Martian war machines had about twenty wires running to each one. Some were for suspension and maneuvering, while others carried power to the various lights and mechanisms. This was produced before there were lightweight circuits and sophisticated radio controls. See more »

Goofs

During the riot scenes, Dr. Forester's comments when he's pulled from the truck are dubbed over. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Radio Reporter: [voiceover] In the First World War, and for the first time in the history of man, nations combined to fight against nations using the crude weapons of those days. The Second World War involved every continent on the globe, and men turned to science for new devices of warfare, which reached an unparalleled peak in their capacity for destruction. And now, fought with the terrible weapons of super-science, menacing all mankind and every creature on the Earth comes the War of the Worlds.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Monster Mania (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

"Flop-Eared Mule (Without Calls)"
(uncredited)
Written by Zip Wilson
Performed by Zip Wilson
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
One word: CLASSIC!
4 April 2004 | by (McHenry, Ill.) – See all my reviews

George Pal redeems himself after the appalling special effects from "When Worlds Collide" by giving us one of the best science fiction movies from the 1950's. Without the use of Industrial Light & Magic or THX, George Pal created the near-perfect illusion of flying swan-like Martian machines attacking the Earth. (Near-perfect because you can faintly see the wires) Ann Robinson gives a BRILLIANT performance as "The damsel in distress". Sandro Giglio (from "When Worlds Collide") returns as one of the scientists. Also Leith Stevens returns from "When Worlds Collide" to provide the music. You'll notice too that some of the footage from this movie comes from "When Worlds Collide". I must add...look for George Pal & Byron Haskins as the hobos listening to the radio.


25 of 31 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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