Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of 'The War of the Worlds' (2006) (V)

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Director:

David Mallet

Writers:

Doreen Wayne (adaptation)
Jeff Wayne (writer)

Release Date:

6 November 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Musical | Sci-Fi

Plot Keywords:

Orchestra | Martian | Tripod | Hologram | Rock Concert

Cast

Lewis McLeod	...	The Martian Voices in The Prequel
Richard Burton	...	George Herbert, The Journalist (archive sound)
Justin Hayward	...	The Sung Thought of The Journalist
Alexis James	...	The Artilleryman
Anna-Marie Wayne	...	Carrie - George Herbert's Fiancée
Chris Thompson	...	Humanity (voice)
Russell Watson	...	Parson Nathaniel
Tara Blaise	...	Beth - The Parson's Wife
Jerry Wayne	...	The Voices of NASA Control
Daniel Boys	...	Understudy
Hannah Stearne	...	Understudy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mark Mansfield	...	The Journalist / Artilleryman
Aaron Robson	...	Richard Burton

Also Known As:

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of 'The War of the Worlds' - Live on Stage (Australia)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Double Jab Productions

Movie Connections:

Version of War of the Worlds (2005)

a stadium version of a 1970s classic album

Jeff Wayne's 'War of the Worlds' musical was one of the high points of the 1970s, a fantastic, overblown, powerful, electronic creation showcasing the singing of Phil Lynott, Julie Covington, David Essex, Justin Hayward, and the narration of Richard Burton. As an audio experience it was irresistible and has stood the test of time well.

Now the stage version brings visuals, a stadium powerhouse, semi-staged scenes and screen tricks, plus Wayne himself conducting an orchestra performing his score. Hayward returns to sing the lovely 'Forever Autumn' and other gaps are filled by Russell Watson, Tara Blaise, Chris Thompson ...

A gimmick though which fails is a holographic Richard Burton, lips synching to the original dialogue, but otherwise inanimate and a bit creepy. The decision to use the original narration was sound - who else could do it with such style and panache? - but this particular visual is a bit cheap and silly, as it is impossible for an inanimate object to interact with the characters on stage. Much better to play the voice alone.

One strength of the original recording was the ability of it to conjure up images of the story. The stage version presents those images almost in overload - it would look fantastic perhaps, if you were in an arena looking at a big screen, but on TV it looks too much. We don't need to see everything spelt out on screen for us.

This said, the music remains strong, and the story survives this strange treatment of it. But I'd still rate the recording over this new version.