Review of War Of The Worlds, The

Introduction

This is a now out-of-print edition of George Pal`s 1953 production of the HG Wells masterpiece. Directed by Byron Haskins and starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson (not that one), the movie updated Wells` Victorian England setting to 1950s America and turned it into a thinly-veiled allegory about the threat of Reds-Under-The Bed.

Best remembered for the creepy Manta Ray flying saucers, George Pal had been able to get the film rights to Wells` novel from his old friend Cecil B DeMille. The Wells estate were so pleased with the finished product that they offered Pal options on any other Wells novel he cared for. He chose The Time Machine, which he memorably brought to the screen in 1960 with Rod Taylor.

Video

The movie is presented in its original 1.33:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Made in Technicolor, colours are strong and in-your-face as they should be for a movie of the era. There are quite a few printed-in negative film artefacts, but nothing you could take great exception to. Hopefully the new Collector`s Edition (due out the same day as the Spielberg version) will include a new transfer, and a review of that edition will follow shortly.

Audio

The soundtrack is reproduced in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo as well as restored Dolby 1.0 Mono.

Features

Subtitles and a distinctly worse-for-wear but great fun 1950s theatrical trailer, complete with bombastic titles.

Conclusion

I`ve a soft spot for the 1953 version of The War Of The Worlds. All of George Pal`s movie productions are worth seeing at least once, and WOTW deserves repeated viewings.

A classic.