War of the Worlds: The DVD
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Can the World Survive?
War of the Worlds became an instant classic when it was broadcast over the radio by Orson Wells in 1938, and this 1953 film version is still a classic for sci-fi fans. It's easy to see it's become a standard in filmmaking when you watch this version.
Starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, this high-energy film by director Byron Haskin had spectacular special effects for the time, and this DVD quality really lets those effects shine.
The story seems a bit dated today, but essentially, scientist Clayton Forrester, played by Barry, stumbles on the town where a UFO lands nearby, and all H($% breaks loose when creatures from the UFO begin killing off the innocent townspeople and spreading around the globe. How will the people fight these alien invaders from Mars?
The acting, especially on Robinson's part, is a bit corny, but if you grew up in the 50s, then chances are this was one of your favorite movies, and the DVD version will give you details you may have missed before, and bring back memories of happier times when sci-fi films were in their prime. Legendary director Stephen Spielberg is releasing his version of this film in 2005, and it will be interesting to see if his version resembles this classic at all.
DVD Features
A Paramount release in standard screen, the sound is Dolby digital, with mono soundtracks in English and French. There are no sub-captions. The best thing about this DVD is the absolutely amazing difference from the film. There is so much new detail, it's almost like watching a brand new movie.
DVD Additional Features
As with several of the older films being released in DVD, there are no bios, documentaries, or even out-takes in this release. The only added footage is a theatrical trailer. Even so, if you're a fan of this movie you won't be disappointed by the quality of the film. A few shots of stock "army" footage that weren't enhanced for the film really point out the drastic difference in this cut, because for the most part, it is crisp, clear, and much better quality than the VHS release.