Things to Come

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Things to Come

Released Apr 17, 1936

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

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91%

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33 Reviews

55%

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1,000+ Ratings

It's Christmas 1940, and Everytown resident John Cabal (Raymond Massey) fears that war is imminent. When it breaks out, the war lasts 30 years, destroying the city and ushering in a new dark age of plagues and petty despots. But there is hope in the form of Wings Over the World, a group of pacifist scientists and thinkers lead by Cabal. Their dream is to build a utopian society on the ruins of the old. But first they'll have to unseat the latest ruling tyrant (Ralph Richardson).

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Critics Consensus

Eerily prescient in its presentation of a dystopian future, Things to Come's special effects may be somewhat dated, but its potent ideas haven't aged at all.

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Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

Things to Come is an unusual picture, a fantasy, if you will, with overtones of the Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon comic strips. But it is, as well, a picture with ideas which have been expressed dramatically and with visual fascination.

May 31, 2007

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Variety

This is England's first $1 million picture. It's an impressive but dull exposition of a bad dream.

May 31, 2007

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

Spookily prescient in many of its ideas, this is fascinating whilst being a little clumsy and dated, even for its time.

Rated: 4/5

May 14, 2007

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

An early masterpiece of the sci-fi genre...

Mar 7, 2023

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Jorge Luis Borges

Sur

"Grandiose" in the worst sense of that bad word.

Dec 15, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The speculative qualities of this epic sci-fi drama are worth seeing, particularly due to the early year in which it was theatrically adapted.

Rated: 6/10

Jul 30, 2020

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Denny S

A must see for any fan of sci-fi movies. Way, way ahead of its time with visual impact and whole dramatic presentation. Some of it drags a bit and some clues date the film, but I'm just nitpicking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Aldo G

Sensational early sci-fi film. Imaginative production design. Excellent cinematography. I bet George Miller studied this film before producing his first Mad Max film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

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Shioka O

I'm overwhelmed by the first 15-20 min seeing the endless bombings and catastrophic images, then being patient, majestic imagination came after. It's a very early take of Sci-fi dystopian in a pure Art Deco, and definitely ahead of its time. I find the visual, the technology, and the speeches dominate over the story by H.G.Wells.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/28/23

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CodyZamboni Z

Some interesting visuals and montages. But a mainly boring sci fi, with cheap looking fx, with dull characters. Should be alot more exciting given it goes all the way to 1970, and predicts WW2 and features zombie infected hordes.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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Audience Member

For the time this is a very impressive and underrated science fiction film. It's a must see for sci fi fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/22

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john d

Things to Come has become rather dated. Two things make it stand out and really worth watching. First, is the score by Arthur Bliss. Second, is the state of sci-fi special effects in the mid-1930's.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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William Cameron Menzies

Director

Raymond Massey

John Cabal

Ralph Richardson

The Boss

Margaretta Scott

Roxana

Cedric Hardwicke

Theotocopulos

Maurice Braddell

Dr. Harding

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Synopsis

It's Christmas 1940, and Everytown resident John Cabal (Raymond Massey) fears that war is imminent. When it breaks out, the war lasts 30 years, destroying the city and ushering in a new dark age of plagues and petty despots. But there is hope in the form of Wings Over the World, a group of pacifist scientists and thinkers lead by Cabal. Their dream is to build a utopian society on the ruins of the old. But first they'll have to unseat the latest ruling tyrant (Ralph Richardson).

Director: William Cameron Menzies
Producer: Alexander Korda
Screenwriter: H.G. Wells
Distributor: Madacy Entertainment Group Inc. [us], GoodTimes Home Video [us], Sinister Cinema, Unknown Video, LS Video, Film Classics Inc., United Artists, Network Enterprises [us]
Production Co: London Film Production
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 1936, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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