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The War of the Worlds

  • 1953
  • G
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
37K
YOUR RATING
The War of the Worlds (1953)
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionSci-FiThriller

A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion.A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion.A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion.

  • Director
    • Byron Haskin
  • Writers
    • H.G. Wells
    • Barré Lyndon
  • Stars
    • Gene Barry
    • Ann Robinson
    • Les Tremayne
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Byron Haskin
    • Writers
      • H.G. Wells
      • Barré Lyndon
    • Stars
      • Gene Barry
      • Ann Robinson
      • Les Tremayne
    • 293User reviews
    • 99Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    The War of the Worlds
    Trailer 2:19
    Watch The War of the Worlds

    Photos136

    The War of the Worlds (1953)
    The War of the Worlds (1953)
    The War of the Worlds (1953)
    The War of the Worlds (1953)
    Gene Barry in The War of the Worlds (1953)
    The War of the Worlds (1953)
    Gene Barry and Ann Robinson in The War of the Worlds (1953)
    Gene Barry and Ann Robinson in The War of the Worlds (1953)
    "War of the Worlds" Gene Barry, Ann Robinson and Les Tremayne 1953, Paramount, **I.V.
    "War of the Worlds" Gene Barry, Ann Robinson 1953, Paramount, **I.V.
    "War of the Worlds" Gene Barry 1953, Paramount, **I.V.
    "War of the Worlds" 1953, Paramount, **I.V.

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gene Barry
    Gene Barry
    • Dr. Clayton Forrester
    Ann Robinson
    Ann Robinson
    • Sylvia Van Buren
    Les Tremayne
    Les Tremayne
    • Maj. Gen. Mann
    Robert Cornthwaite
    Robert Cornthwaite
    • Dr. Pryor
    • (as Bob Cornthwaite)
    Sandro Giglio
    Sandro Giglio
    • Dr. Bilderbeck
    Lewis Martin
    • Pastor Dr. Matthew Collins
    Houseley Stevenson Jr.
    • Gen. Mann's Aide
    • (as Housely Stevenson Jr.)
    Paul Frees
    Paul Frees
    • Second Radio Reporter…
    William Phipps
    William Phipps
    • Wash Perry
    • (as Bill Phipps)
    Vernon Rich
    Vernon Rich
    • Col. Ralph Heffner
    Henry Brandon
    Henry Brandon
    • Cop at Crash Site
    Jack Kruschen
    Jack Kruschen
    • Salvatore
    Cedric Hardwicke
    Cedric Hardwicke
    • Commentary
    • (voice)
    • (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
    Peter Adams
    Peter Adams
    • Pine Summit Fire Watcher
    • (uncredited)
    Eric Alden
    Eric Alden
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Hugh Allen
    • Brigadier General
    • (uncredited)
    Ruth Barnell
    • Mother
    • (uncredited)
    Edgar Barrier
    Edgar Barrier
    • Prof. McPherson
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Byron Haskin
    • Writers
      • H.G. Wells
      • Barré Lyndon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The estate of H.G. Wells was so pleased with the final production that it offered George Pal his choice of any other of Wells' properties. Pal chose The Time Machine (1960).
    • Goofs
      Modern viewers often complain that the wires used to suspend the Martian war machines are plainly visible throughout the film. The film was originally shot in three strip Technicolor, with prints made using a dye transfer process that resulted in very saturated colors, but with a slight reduction in overall resolution. This reduction in resolution "fuzzed out" the wires in original prints, making them effectively invisible. Later prints were made in Eastman Color, which uses a photographic process and yields sharper prints, but here had the side effect of making the support and electric wires plainly visible - the models had electrical wires as the side pods of the machines really lit up green and the "cobra heads" lit up as well. It is common practice in the film industry to take into account what details will be visible when a print is projected so as not to waste production time and money on details that will never actually be visible to a viewing audience, especially in the areas of effects and matte paintings. Thus, the filmmakers never thought the wires would be visible and in fact they weren't until the first Eastman Color prints of the film were struck in the late 1960s, and they had become even more visible on modern video releases as there is no dye sublimation resolution loss when making video masters from the original negatives. In the 2018 restoration this was resolved using digital technology.
    • Quotes

      Radio Reporter: All radio is dead, which means that these tape recordings I'm making are for the sake of future history - If any.

    • Alternate versions
      For the 2018 restoration Ben Burtt created a new 5.1 surround sound mix with replacements for many of the film's original sound effects, with the jarring result that the sound effects have fidelity far above that of surrounding dialogue in the film. The 2020 Criterion Collection release features this new sound mix as well as the original mono track.
    • Connections
      Edited from When Worlds Collide (1951)
    • Soundtracks
      Paramount on Parade
      (uncredited)

      Written by Elsie Janis and Jack King

      Played over the opening logo

    User reviews293

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A Classic!
    Somewhere out in the American West, a huge meteor-like projectile crashes in the soil. Everyone initially believes it to be nothing more than a meteor, but soon all learn it is really an investigative ship from the planet Mars out to destroy anything and everything in its path. This film directed by Byron Haskin, based on a script by Barre Lyndon, and produced by George Pal is one of the quintessential science fiction films of the 50's, otherwise known as the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Based on the novel of the same name by H. G. Wells, this film keeps the spirit of the book intact while changing some things like the setting. The book takes place primarily in and around London. All of the talents in this film help make The War of the Worlds an innovative, intelligent, and evocative film that tries to get one thinking about alien invaders and their intentions. The earthlings in this film are the good ones...trying to be friendly, yet, treated as nothing more than impediments in the Martians' way. So many scenes in this film are strong: the army fighting the Martian space ship while a man of God tries to make peace with the strangers, the old farmhouse, and the ending as the aliens attack Los Angelos. Acting is strong too as leads Gene Barry - doing a very good job as a scientist who just happens to be nearby - and Ann Robinson convincingly portray what life might be like in a world with such horrific news. But despite a first-rate script, solid direction from Haskin, and good acting, The War of the Worlds owes its greatest debt to producer George Pal. Pal knew how to put films like this together and was a driving force in the film's innovative and unique special effects. Who could forget those bright green Martian ships or that figure of a Martian?
    helpful•72
    15
    • BaronBl00d
    • Nov 23, 2004

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    FAQ1

    • Where (according to the movie) did the Martians first land?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 26, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • H.G. Wells' the War of the Worlds
    • Filming locations
      • Westminster Presbyterian Church - 1757 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA(First church Forrester searches)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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