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IMDbPro

Things to Come

  • 19361936
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
Things to Come (1936)
The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.
Play trailer4:10
1 Video
61 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi
  • War
The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William Cameron Menzies
  • Writer
    • H.G. Wells(novel "The Shape of Things to Come")
  • Stars
    • Raymond Massey
    • Edward Chapman
    • Ralph Richardson
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Cameron Menzies
  • Writer
    • H.G. Wells(novel "The Shape of Things to Come")
  • Stars
    • Raymond Massey
    • Edward Chapman
    • Ralph Richardson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 143User reviews
    • 83Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 4:10
    Trailer

    Photos61

    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Edward Chapman, Raymond Massey, and Margaretta Scott in Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Things to Come (1936)
    Margaretta Scott in Things to Come (1936)
    Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, and Margaretta Scott in Things to Come (1936)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Raymond Massey
    Raymond Massey
    • John Cabal…
    Edward Chapman
    Edward Chapman
    • Pippa Passworthy…
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • The Boss
    Margaretta Scott
    Margaretta Scott
    • Roxana
    • (as Margueretta Scott)
    • …
    Cedric Hardwicke
    Cedric Hardwicke
    • Theotocopulos
    Maurice Braddell
    Maurice Braddell
    • Dr. Harding
    Sophie Stewart
    Sophie Stewart
    • Mrs. Cabal
    Derrick De Marney
    Derrick De Marney
    • Richard Gordon
    • (as Derrick de Marney)
    Ann Todd
    Ann Todd
    • Mary Gordon
    Pearl Argyle
    Pearl Argyle
    • Catherine Cabal
    Kenneth Villiers
    • Maurice Passworthy
    Ivan Brandt
    • Morden Mitani
    Anne McLaren
    • The Child
    Patricia Hilliard
    Patricia Hilliard
    • Janet Gordon
    Charles Carson
    Charles Carson
    • Great Grandfather
    Patrick Barr
    Patrick Barr
    • World Transport Official
    • (uncredited)
    Noel Brophy
    • Irishman
    • (uncredited)
    John Clements
    John Clements
    • The Airman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Cameron Menzies
    • Writer
      • H.G. Wells(novel "The Shape of Things to Come") (screenplay) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Before filming started, author H.G. Wells told everyone connected with the film how much he'd hated Fritz Lang's film Metropolis (1927) and how he wanted them to do the opposite of what Lang (whom he called "Lange") and his crew had done.
    • Goofs
      In his first scene Theotocopulos maintains the same position, leaning on his statue, but his sculpting mallet vanishes between shots.
    • Quotes

      The Boss: Who are you, I said!

      John Cabal: The law. Law and sanity.

      The Boss: I'm the law here!

      John Cabal: I said law and sanity.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, as the title is revealed, the shadow over the letters is removed as if the clouds in the background are blowing past it.
    • Alternate versions
      Available in a colorized version on DVD and Blu-ray.
    • Connections
      Edited into Murder on Diamond Row (1937)
    • Soundtracks
      The First Noel
      (uncredited)

      Traditional 18th Century Cornish Christmas Carol

      Arranged by Arthur Bliss

      Heard during opening montage.

    User reviews143

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Classic of the British science fiction genre with magnificent sets and top-drawer cast
    The picture is a right adaptation of the novel titled ¨The shape of things to come¨ by H.G.Wells . A story of 100 years : a decades-long second world war leaves plague and anarchy . The film narrates like after a lengthly war among nations and continuing with plagues , rampages and starvation the world is destroyed . A country ruled by a tyrant (Ralph Richardson) fights against an airplanes confederation (leading Raymond Massey) . Then a rational state rebuilds civilization and tries space travel . As utilizing technology , wisemen and scientists try to rebuild the future world creating a peaceable society .

    The motion picture is agreeable and very interesting though when the protagonists speak philosophical speeches is a little boring . Raymond Massey interprets two roles on different generations , at the future world plays a ruler , builder a sidereal rocket , in opposition to Sir Cedric Hardwicke who is facing the progress . The excellent main cast is completed with habitual actors of the British theater and with important cinematographic careers , thus : Ralph Richardson (Greystoke and four feathers) , Anne Todd (Paradine case) , Derrick De Mornay (Young and innocent) , Raymond Massey (Lincoln in Ilinois) and Sir Cedric Hardwicke (Ten commandments) . Cinematography is very good although in black and white and was realized by excellent cameraman George Perinal (Thief of Bagdad and Colonel Blimp).

    Arthur Bliss music score is atmospheric and conducted by usual orchestra director of the classic British films : Muir Matheson . Production Design by Vincent Korda is fine as well as spectacular , he's considered to be the best British designer of that epoch . His brother Alexander Korda was the main English producer . The film was well directed by William Cameron Menzies who subsequent directed another Sci-Fi classic , Invaders from Mars . Rating: Good . Above average .
    helpful•42
    12
    • ma-cortes
    • Jul 5, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 14, 1936 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lo que vendrá
    • Filming locations
      • Denham Film Studios, Denham, Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • London Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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