The War of the Worlds

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Ted B. @Movieaddicted Mar 1 4.0 stars; Yes, there are parts of this film that are dated (made in 1953). However, vast parts of this film were way ahead of their time, especially the special effects. I actually saw this film when it was originally released. I just remember how it scared the #%&@ out of me. I can see how it scared millions when it was broadcast by Orson Welles as a play on the radio. This is a haunting take on the H.G. Wells classic. It effectively translates the original novel's themes into a 1950s setting, highlighting our collective vulnerability and the grim realities of conflict. H. G. Wells was a clever author. That in the end, he made the greatest of powers vulnerable to the smallest part of creation. See more Dallas H @FozzieMcFly Mar 1 I vaguely remember watching this version many years ago. I think it was during English class in junior high or maybe high school. Even though the special effects may be outdated compared to those used in present-day movies, I still value how much they relied on physical props and materials in this movie. I love this movie in every sense of the word, as a nostalgic, entertaining experience. See more Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 Oct 14 Elevating past the 50s Cold War themed campy thrills and becoming a true classic. Even though it has some trappings of the era the Oscar winning special effects still are very much impressive and iconic See more Joe M @Irelander Aug 11 Reviewing this in 2025 or it would have been higher, for it's time a classic sci-fi movie based on a radio show. See more Blu B Aug 8 A Golden Era Sci-Fi Classic. Best film version of the book by a mile. IT's solidly made all around. That being said it's still not perfect. This is a very plot driven movie 60-65% of the time. And when it sticks to that, it really excels and has a very modern pacing in the sense of nonstop action, tension, and really good special effects that while dated are very clean and fit well. The laser effects and the sounds are cool. It's suprising how much destruction there is in this 90 minute film. It does a great job building tension and feels like a popcorn movie at times. The problem is with the other third of this film when it focuses more on the couple and tries being more character driven. It's just not as strong and feels more like on the filler side. The ending has destruction and all but it becomes more about the couple again and reconiling for the end,, and it....works enough I guess. But I wish it would've led more to a showdown with the aliens like we were led to believe with all the studying and finding the eye and everything. It ends up feeling like it doesn't matter. The first half ends up being stronger because of that but the second is still good. It slows and drags a bit but it's only 90 minutes so it's limited. But it's executed well. I just wish they would've stayed with the plot driven tone the entire way. Anyone who is a fan of the source material, the director, Classic Sci-Fi, or any actors in this should check this out. Seeing this makes me understand the issues the other adaptations have. They try being more character drvien as a big chunk but this material excels way more as a plot driven story. See more Hughe J @Hughe Jul 15 War of the Worlds (1953) is based on the classic novel of the same name by HG Wells. It stars Gene Barry and Ann Robinson and was produced by George Pal. The movie centers around a Martian Invasion of the Earth and how humanity fights back. This movie was a box office success and one of the best science fiction films released in the 50s. The special effects were quite good, the movie was shot incredibly well, and the acting was certainly acceptable. Obviously much of the movie looks dated today but that doesn't take away from the significance this movie had when released. It's a classic sci-fi movie that every fan of the genre should see. See more Read all reviews

The War of the Worlds

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