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Science FictionAction

The War of the Worlds

- Mighty panorama of Earth-shaking fury as an army from Mars invades!

The residents of a small town are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills, until they discover it is the first of many transport devices from Mars bringing an army of invaders invincible to any man-made weapon, even the atomic bomb.

Release Date : 1953-08-13

Language :EnglishGermanHindiItalianSpanish

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Gene Barry

Character Name : Dr. Clayton Forrester

Original Name : Gene Barry

Gender : Male

Ann Robinson

Character Name : Sylvia Van Buren

Original Name : Ann Robinson

Gender : Female

Lewis Martin

Character Name : Pastor Dr. Matthew Collins

Original Name : Lewis Martin

Gender : Male

Les Tremayne

Character Name : Maj. Gen. Mann

Original Name : Les Tremayne

Gender : Male

Frank Kreig

Character Name : Fiddler Hawkins (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Kreig

Gender : Male

Vernon Rich

Character Name : Col. Ralph Heffner

Original Name : Vernon Rich

Gender : Male

Sandro Giglio

Character Name : Dr. Bilderbeck

Original Name : Sandro Giglio

Gender : Male

Ann Codee

Character Name : Dr. Duprey (uncredited)

Original Name : Ann Codee

Gender : Female

Robert Cornthwaite

Character Name : Dr. Pryor (as Bob Cornthwaite)

Original Name : Robert Cornthwaite

Gender : Male

Cedric Hardwicke

Character Name : Commentary (voice) (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)

Original Name : Cedric Hardwicke

Gender : Male

Houseley Stevenson Jr.

Character Name : Gen. Mann's Aide (as Housely Stevenson Jr.)

Original Name : Houseley Stevenson Jr.

Gender : Male

William Phipps

Character Name : Wash Perry (as Bill Phipps)

Original Name : William Phipps

Gender : Male

Jack Kruschen

Character Name : Salvatore

Original Name : Jack Kruschen

Gender : Male

Paul Birch

Character Name : Alonzo Hogue (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Birch

Gender : Male

Paul Frees

Character Name : Second Radio Reporter / Opening Announcer

Original Name : Paul Frees

Gender : Male

Henry Brandon

Character Name : Cop at Crash Site

Original Name : Henry Brandon

Gender : Male

Peter Adams

Character Name : Pine Summit Fire Watcher (uncredited)

Original Name : Peter Adams

Gender : Male

Eric Alden

Character Name : Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Eric Alden

Gender : Male

Hugh Allen

Character Name : Brigadier General (uncredited)

Original Name : Hugh Allen

Gender : Male

Ruth Barnell

Character Name : Mother (uncredited)

Original Name : Ruth Barnell

Gender : Male

Edgar Barrier

Character Name : Prof. McPherson (uncredited)

Original Name : Edgar Barrier

Gender : Male

Russ Bender

Character Name : Dr. Carmichael (uncredited)

Original Name : Russ Bender

Gender : Male

Oscar Blank

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Oscar Blank

Gender : Male

Hazel Boyne

Character Name : Screaming Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Hazel Boyne

Gender : Female

Chet Brandenburg

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Chet Brandenburg

Gender : Male

George Bruggeman

Character Name : Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : George Bruggeman

Gender : Male

Nora Bush

Character Name : Woman in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Nora Bush

Gender : Female

Tony Butala

Character Name : Boy in Final Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Tony Butala

Gender : Male

Mushy Callahan

Character Name : Burning Soldier at Pit (uncredited)

Original Name : Mushy Callahan

Gender : Male

Dick Cherney

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Cherney

Gender : Male

Edward Colmans

Character Name : Spanish Priest (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Colmans

Gender : Male

James Conaty

Character Name : Man at Pacific Institute of Science and Technology (uncredited)

Original Name : James Conaty

Gender : Male

Russ Conway

Character Name : Rev. Bethany (uncredited)

Original Name : Russ Conway

Gender : Male

Martin Coulter

Character Name : Marine Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : Martin Coulter

Gender : Male

Vittorio Cramer

Character Name : First Radio Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Vittorio Cramer

Gender : Male

Pierre Cressoy

Character Name : Frenchman (uncredited)

Original Name : Pierre Cressoy

Gender : Male

Oliver Cross

Character Name : Scientist (uncredited)

Original Name : Oliver Cross

Gender : Male

Jane Crowley

Character Name : Woman in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Jane Crowley

Gender : Female

Jim Davies

Character Name : Marine Commanding Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Jim Davies

Gender : Male

Helen Dickson

Character Name : Woman in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Helen Dickson

Gender : Female

Ralph Dumke

Character Name : Buck Monahan (uncredited)

Original Name : Ralph Dumke

Gender : Male

Jimmie Dundee

Character Name : Civil Defense Official (uncredited)

Original Name : Jimmie Dundee

Gender : Male

Al Ferguson

Character Name : Police Chief (uncredited)

Original Name : Al Ferguson

Gender : Male

Dick Fortune

Character Name : Marine Captain (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Fortune

Gender : Male

Alex Frazer

Character Name : Dr. James (uncredited)

Original Name : Alex Frazer

Gender : Male

Frank Freeman Jr.

Character Name : Bum #2 Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Freeman Jr.

Gender : Male

Slim Gaut

Character Name : Radio Listener (uncredited)

Original Name : Slim Gaut

Gender : Male

Charles Gemora

Character Name : Martian (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Gemora

Gender : Male

Ned Glass

Character Name : Well-Dressed Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Ned Glass

Gender : Male

Jack Gordon

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Gordon

Gender : Male

Fred Graham

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Graham

Gender : Male

Joe Gray

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Gray

Gender : Male

Herman Hack

Character Name : Worker Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : Herman Hack

Gender : Male

Nancy Hale

Character Name : Young Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Nancy Hale

Gender : Female

Virginia Hall

Character Name : Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Virginia Hall

Gender : Female

Ted Hecht

Character Name : KGEB Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Ted Hecht

Gender : Male

Douglas Henderson

Character Name : Staff Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : Douglas Henderson

Gender : Male

Gertrude Hoffmann

Character Name : Elderly News Vendor (uncredited)

Original Name : Gertrude Hoffmann

Gender : Female

Tex Holden

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Tex Holden

Gender : Male

Jimmie Horan

Character Name : Party Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Jimmie Horan

Gender : Male

Patricia Iannone

Character Name : Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Patricia Iannone

Gender : Male

Jerry James

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Jerry James

Gender : Male

Michael Jeffers

Character Name : Worker Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Jeffers

Gender : Male

Dick Johnstone

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Johnstone

Gender : Male

Carolyn Jones

Character Name : Blonde Party Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Carolyn Jones

Gender : Female

Don Kohler

Character Name : Colonel (uncredited)

Original Name : Don Kohler

Gender : Male

Ivan Lebedeff

Character Name : Dr. Gratzman (uncredited)

Original Name : Ivan Lebedeff

Gender : Male

Freeman Lusk

Character Name : Secretary of Defense (uncredited)

Original Name : Freeman Lusk

Gender : Male

Herbert Lytton

Character Name : Chief of Staff (uncredited)

Original Name : Herbert Lytton

Gender : Male

Wilbur Mack

Character Name : Official (uncredited)

Original Name : Wilbur Mack

Gender : Male

George Magrill

Character Name : Traffic Cop (uncredited)

Original Name : George Magrill

Gender : Male

Mike Mahoney

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Mike Mahoney

Gender : Male

John Mansfield

Character Name : Man (uncredited)

Original Name : John Mansfield

Gender : Male

Joel Marston

Character Name : Military Policeman in Jeep (uncredited)

Original Name : Joel Marston

Gender : Male

Sydney Mason

Character Name : Fire Chief, Crew #3 (uncredited)

Original Name : Sydney Mason

Gender : Male

John Maxwell

Character Name : Doctor (uncredited)

Original Name : John Maxwell

Gender : Male

Mathew McCue

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Mathew McCue

Gender : Male

David McMahon

Character Name : Minister, First Church (uncredited)

Original Name : David McMahon

Gender : Male

William Meader

Character Name : P.E. Official (uncredited)

Original Name : William Meader

Gender : Male

Lee Miller

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Lee Miller

Gender : Male

Ralph Montgomery

Character Name : Los Angeles Red Cross Official (uncredited)

Original Name : Ralph Montgomery

Gender : Male

Alvy Moore

Character Name : Zippy (uncredited)

Original Name : Alvy Moore

Gender : Male

Bob Morgan

Character Name : Injured Civil Defense Worker (uncredited)

Original Name : Bob Morgan

Gender : Male

Charles Morton

Character Name : Worker Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Morton

Gender : Male

George Nardelli

Character Name : Military Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : George Nardelli

Gender : Male

Stanley Orr

Character Name : Marine Major (uncredited)

Original Name : Stanley Orr

Gender : Male

George Pal

Character Name : Bum #1 Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : George Pal

Gender : Male

Walter Richards

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Walter Richards

Gender : Male

Robert Rockwell

Character Name : Forest Ranger at Crash Site (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Rockwell

Gender : Male

Walter Sande

Character Name : Sheriff Bogany (uncredited)

Original Name : Walter Sande

Gender : Male

James Seay

Character Name : Air Force Bomber Pilot (uncredited)

Original Name : James Seay

Gender : Male

Allen D. Sewall

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Allen D. Sewall

Gender : Male

Lucile Sewall

Character Name : Woman in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Lucile Sewall

Gender : Female

Cora Shannon

Character Name : Old Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Cora Shannon

Gender : Male

David Sharpe

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : David Sharpe

Gender : Male

Teru Shimada

Character Name : Japanese Diplomat (uncredited)

Original Name : Teru Shimada

Gender : Male

Reginald Lal Singh

Character Name : Military Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Reginald Lal Singh

Gender : Male

Bobby Somers

Character Name : Deputy at Crash Site (uncredited)

Original Name : Bobby Somers

Gender : Male

Bert Stevens

Character Name : Man in Church (uncredited)

Original Name : Bert Stevens

Gender : Male

Charles Stewart

Character Name : Marine Captain (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Stewart

Gender : Male

Jack Stoney

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Stoney

Gender : Male

Gus Taillon

Character Name : Elderly Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Gus Taillon

Gender : Male

Morton C. Thompson

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Morton C. Thompson

Gender : Male

Arthur Tovey

Character Name : Party Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Arthur Tovey

Gender : Male

Dale Van Sickel

Character Name : Looter (uncredited)

Original Name : Dale Van Sickel

Gender : Male

Dorothy Vernon

Character Name : Elderly Woman at Square Dance (uncredited)

Original Name : Dorothy Vernon

Gender : Female

Anthony Warde

Character Name : Military Police Driver (uncredited)

Original Name : Anthony Warde

Gender : Male

Bob Whitney

Character Name : Military Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Bob Whitney

Gender : Male

Chalky Williams

Character Name : Worker Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Original Name : Chalky Williams

Gender : Male

Waldon Williams

Character Name : Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Waldon Williams

Gender : Male

Bud Wolfe

Character Name : Rescuing Civil Defense Worker (uncredited)

Original Name : Bud Wolfe

Gender : Male

Fred Zendar

Character Name : Marine Lieutenant (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Zendar

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Smashing sci-fi film that is a landmark for special effects. Martians invade Earth with total destructive powers, seemingly unstoppable, mankind must find a way to beat them before all is Lost. In spite of the uproar and considerable success of Orson Welles' 1938 radio adaptation of the H.G Wells novel, War Of The Worlds was a topic that directors were staying well away from. Such high esteemed men like as Cecil B. DeMille & Alfred Hitchcock were mooted to be interested but it always came down to a worry that the special effects needed for the story were too much of a headache. Enter producer George Pal, noted for puppetoon shorts, he managed to sway the big wigs at Paramount that it could indeed be done, and thus the chain of big colour spaceships blasting, sci-fi creatures lurking and blockbuster bums on seats movies began. Directed by Byron Haskin, this version of the source moves the location from Edwardian England to 20th Century America, and this works a treat because the watching American public were genuinely unnerved at the sight of contemporary America being reduced to rubble by an invading force. The makers further our sense of dread by only letting us glimpse the aliens once in a wonderful scene (respectfully homaged in Stephen Spielberg's 2005 version of the source), other than that scene we are subjected to attack after attack from shiny flying saucers, slick and ground breaking effects working their magic on an impressionable audience. Outside of those known to hardcore sci-fi fans, the cast doesn't contain any stars of note, probably due to all the money being used on the effects? And for sure many of them come across as wooden beyond compare (though the lovely Ann Robinson lights up every scene she is in), while if I'm to be over critical: then the romantic thread in the film is tiresome and the religious overtone is tardily done. But War Of The Worlds 1953 still stands proud as a brave and hugely enjoyable picture thats importance has never been (nor should it be) understated, and even allowing for nostalgic fervour from this particular viewer, I heartily recommend this film to anyone interested in template movies for the sci-fi genre. 7/10

W

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

_**Clark Kent & Lois Lane face an invasion of Martians!**_ A flaming meteor lands near a small town in rural California, yet it turns out it’s not really a meteor, but rather the beginning of an extraterrestrial invasion! “The War of the Worlds” (1953) loosely interprets H.G. Wells' classic 1898 novel and moves the events up to the mid-20th century wherein Earthlings have modern weapons at their disposal, including the atomic bomb. Gene Barry and Ann Robinson play the protagonists, who are seriously reminicent of Clark Kent & Lois Lane. The movie wisely focuses on the alien invasion as seen through their eyes, which naturally gives the story human interest. The Martian vessels are superbly depicted and very threatening. Even better, the flick doesn’t skimp on showing the aliens up-close-and-personal and they’re even better than those in the 2005 reimagining (the one with Tom Cruise). While the first two acts are compelling sci-fi cinema of the highest order (in its quaint early 50’s way), the story somewhat loses it’s captivating power in the last act when the story switches to Earth vs. the Martians and Clark, I mean Dr. Forrester, stumbling around post-apocalyptic Los Angeles desperately searching for Lois, I mean Sylvia. The film runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot in Southern Cal & Arizona. GRADE: A-/B+

J

JPV852

@JPV852

2022-09-21

Not great in terms of the script, acting or the abrupt ending, the practical effects were impressive and a lot of fun with the Martian ships flying and causing mayhem and destruction. I can imagine this wowed audiences back in '53. **3.0/5**

T

tensharpe

@tensharpe

2023-01-28

“The War of the Worlds” now restored in 4K HD with its lovely looking technicolour and amazing surround sound really has elevated this movie to a higher level than any previous release. Made during the height of optimism in 1953 “The War of the Worlds” was and still is quite horrific and unnerving. The joys of the Atomic age are highlighted by the beauty of the alien spacecraft and the atom bomb being the answer to stopping any invading force. What is genuinely good about ”The War of the Worlds” is the way it goes for the horror element rather than any melodrama. The vague romance only acts as connecting dialogue between the hysterical panic and extreme action that takes centre stage throughout. The dark themes that were common place during the 1950’s are clearly on show, fear of invasion from a military force out to decimate and lack of confidence in governments to protect is quite apparent. Equally relevant today with recent pandemics, lock downs and threat of nuclear war in Europe, “The War of the Worlds” reminds us we all live under fear of invasion while governed by indecisive smugness.