WAR
OF THE WORLDS FAQ
This guide is only for
display on www.waroftheworldsonline.com
and is not for use anywhere else without express permission. You may post
links to this guide but please give full credit, when doing so, to myself
and this site and drop me a line to say you have done so. Thanks.
Evilnerfherder@waroftheworldsonline.com
May 2005.
Why a guide?
I have decided to do a guide and
FAQ to help enlighten new members of the site and others who wish to know
more about the subject, as there are so many incarnations and variations
on the theme.
Hopefully, this will help give a better understanding of the subject and
make the experience on the site and Forum a more pleasurable one.
This is not meant to be exhaustive, just
a primer for the subject. Half the fun of War of the Worlds is discovering
just how much there is to it for yourself.
I will include some useful internet links
and other sources for those interested in following any part of this guide
up in more detail. I will credit these sources and links as much as is
possible. If a credit is missed, please let me know. The incarnations
listed below are placed in order of their appearance.
What is ‘The War of the
Worlds’?
‘The War of the Worlds’ is a book about an invasion of Earth
by the inhabitants of the planet Mars. It was written by Herbert George
Wells, author of many famous works including ‘The Time Machine’,
‘The First Men in the Moon’, ‘The Invisible Man’,
‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, ‘Things to Come’ and
many others. It was first published in the Pearson’s Magazine, in
serial form, in 1897. The legion of fans that are still reading the novel
today are a testament to the greatness of this work.
Since the release of the novel, there have been many incarnations of the
story and it has inspired many others. In this guide I will talk about
the various incarnations and give more information about them.
Who was
H.G. Wells?
Herbert George Wells was born on
the 21st of September 1866 in Bromley, Kent. He was the youngest of four
children and his parents were domestic servants.
Due to an accident at an early age, he developed a voracious appetite
for books.
In 1877, his father Joseph had an accident, meaning that the young Herbert
and his brothers had to enter apprenticeships to help with the family
finances. H.G. was apprenticed to a Draper, an unhappy time and which
served as inspiration for Wells’ book ‘Kipps’. His employer
dismissed him and he became a teacher until he won a scholarship at what
is now the Royal College of Science. He studied Biology and helped set
up the Royal College of Science Association. Here he joined the debating
society and it began an interest in social issues.
He married his second cousin Isabel in 1891 but that only lasted a few
years. In 1895 he married again. This marriage, to one of his students
called Amy Robbins, was much longer lived.
Wells’ first bestseller was ‘Anticipations’ (1901) and
so followed many other classic works both social commentary and fiction,
although the two often merged.
Considered a prominent social thinker, Wells died August 14th 1946.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
- The Incarnations.
H.G WELLS’
‘THE WAR OF THE WORLDS’ – THE NOVEL
This is the classic work that started
it all. It first appeared in the Pearsons Magazine in serial form from
April to December 1897. Soon after, he used the feedback from this to
turn the work into a novel, which was published in 1898 and illustrated
by Warwick Goble.. The story concerns events that occur when the inhabitants
of Mars, their planet dying, send ‘cylinders’ containing invasion
forces to Earth.
PLOT SPOILERS BEGIN HERE.
The events are recounted, in all but a
few chapters entirely by ‘the Narrator’, an inhabitant of
Surrey, who watches as the Octopus-like Martians mount 100 feet tall tripod
‘Fighting Machines’ and proceed to massacre an unprepared
population. The military are swept aside by the Martian weapons; the invisible
but deadly ‘Heat Ray’ and the noxious ‘Black Smoke’
and the Martians continue their unstoppable progress to
London, the heart of the civilized world.
Over the course of the book, the Narrator meets various characters including
the half mad Parson and the Artillery Man, who’s grandiose dreams
of survival are clearly beyond his abilities. It is also revealed that
the Martians, advanced beyond our comprehension and made up almost entirely
of brain, will feed on the living blood of humans whilst they carry out
their plans for the conquering of Earth. Red Weed, a plant native to Mars,
begins to choke the countryside, it’s voracious growth as unstoppable
as the Martians themselves.
Just when it seems that mankind is doomed
to complete destruction, a miracle occurs. The Martians begin to die.
They had obliterated bacteria on Mars and our microscopic allies attacked
them the instant the landed. From then they were doomed, as they had no
resistance to the bacteria we share our world with.
The Narrator leaves us with the sobering
thought that perhaps they were not entirely beaten. Perhaps one day, their
lesson learned, they would return and this time, we would be conquered.
Perhaps, one day, the Earth will belong to the Martians.
END SPOILERS.
This story has sent chills down the spines
of generations of readers since it was first published and there have
been many re-printings of the novel. It has inspired many other stories
and has long basked in its position as the finest Science Fiction (or
as Wells preferred ‘Scientific Romance’) work ever written.
You can read the novel in many places
online. Here are just a few-
The Pearson’s Version- http://www.angelfire.com/nb/classillus/images/war/worlds.html
The Cosmopolitan Magazine (early U.S.) version- http://www.uta.edu/english/danahay/WW/demo1/cosmo.html
Project Gutenburg- http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8976
For more information about H.G. Wells,
the War of the Worlds book, and his other works please contact The Wells
Society- http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/home.html
(Global)
THE WAR
OF THE WORLDS RADIO PLAY (1938)
Sunday October the 30th, 1938. Halloween.
Unsuspecting American radio listeners sat down to listen to the regular
broadcast on CBS of ‘The Mercury Theatre On the Air’.
It’s director and star, a young
man by the name of Orson Welles, began with a prologue. He spoke of the
fact that intelligences far greater than our own watched us from across
the gulf of space. He spoke of ‘The War of the Worlds’.
So began a broadcast that was to become
infamous and has been imitated many times since. The practical joke to
end them all.. The night that panicked America.
Orson Welles had adapted the story and relocated it to Grover’s
Mill, New Jersey in 1938.
Realism was the key here and it took the form of news reports from in
a studio and from the scene as a mysterious object crashed into a farmer’s
field in a backwater town.
The Martians were on the march.. and this time they had America in their
sights.
By the end of the 60 minute show, panicked members of the public were
up in arms as they imagined tripods stalking the land.
The next morning, a haggard Welles had
to make a public apology. But he had made history.
News paper reports spoke of panic and confusion. H.G. Wells was reportedly
displeased with the liberties taken with his story. A few years later,
though, both Wells and Welles, did a radio interviewtogether in Texas
and it was seen that Wells had forgiven the younger man and they were
getting on famously.
You can read a transcript of the broadcast
here.
http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/script.html
Some contemporary news reports and more comment on the show can be seen
here…
http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/wotw.html
With thanks to Jeff Miller who’s page these links point to.
War of the Worlds – The Movie
(1953)
Paramount Picture’s first
shot at a movie adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic work. Billed as
a ‘Mighty panorama of Earth-shaking fury as an army from Mars invades!’,
this classic 50’s take on the story starts with a sober narration
by Sir Cedric Hardwicke which loosely follows the beginning of the novel,
illustrated by beautiful astronomical drawings. Like Orson Welles’
radio play, this is another updated version, this time set in the 1950s.
SOME PLOT SPOILERS HERE
The story starts as a mysterious ‘meteor’
falls to Earth outside Grover’s Mill, starting some forest fires.
Pretty soon a crowd has gathered and a scientist who is on a fishing trip
nearby, Dr Clayton Forrester, is called in for his expert opinion.
As Forrester is getting cozy with Sylvia Van Buren, a local resident,
and friends at a Barn dance, the ‘meteor’ opens. A threesome
of men who are watching the meteor approach, an object like a swan’s
neck appears from it.
The men wave a white flag in order to
show that they approach in peace but the end of the thing glows, there
is a throbbing sound then a screech and the men are instantly turned to
dust by a spark-like ray.
Meanwhile, at the dance, the festivities are interrupted by a power failure.
Forrester notes with interest that the phones are out and watches are
magnetized.
Pretty soon the deaths near the meteor are noticed and Forrester and Sylvia
rush to the scene.
The National Guard are called in when it becomes clear that the meteor
is a threat. As the assembled troops watch, a giant machine emerges. Looking
not unlike a Manta Ray or swan, it floats on magnetic ‘legs’.
Pretty soon, the troops are routed by the Martian’s weapon and Forrester
and Sylvia have to flee for their lives.
There are some differences with Well’s
original novel in this film and I will list some here.
Firstly, the updated and relocated plot. Also the Martians seem to have
some kind of EMP device, which causes the initial disruption, and protective
‘blisters’, which stop anything from hurting them.
Several of the novel characters are changed around a little or completely
absent from this movie as well as some plot details. An example of this
is the religious subtext, which has been inserted in this film. Another
notable difference is the attempt to use a nuclear weapon on the invaders.
Despite taking liberties with Well’s plot, the film is a pretty
fun way to spend 85 minutes with some devastation, social comment (the
panic in Los Angeles is surprisingly gritty) and some intentional (and
one or two unintentional) laughs.
Trivia- The Martians
were nicknamed ‘Otto Lump Lump’ by the film’s crew.
-The Northrop ‘Flying Wing’ featured in the film is the only
one still in existence.
-The Martian War Machines were based a swan shape by designer Albert Nozaki.
-The final third of the film was originally to be filmed in 3D
CAST….
Dr. Clayton Forrester - Gene Barry
Sylvia Van Buren – Anne Robinson
Maj. Gen. Mann – Les Tremayne
Dr. Pryor – Robert Cornthwaite
Dr. Bilderbecke – Sandro Giglio
Parson Matthew Collins – Lewis Martin
Screenplay by Barre Lyndon
Produced by George Pal
Directed by Byron Haskin
Released by Paramount Pictures
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (1978)
The first thing that hits you when
you listen to this classic album is Richard Burton’s narration.
His voice perfectly sets the scene for 90 minutes of musical terror. Then
that dramatic orchestral opening and you are spellbound until the last
note.
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds was released
in 1978 to much critical acclaim. Since then millions have bought the
album around the world and it hasn’t lost any of its impact.
Composer/ Producer Jeff Wayne had made his name producing for such talent
as David Essex when he and his father Jerry began the search for a work
suitable for album adaptation. Various novels were considered including
‘Day of the Triffids’ but ‘ The War of the Worlds’
was finally settled on.
A cast of prominent musicians was assembled and after much hard work,
the album took shape.
The script written by Doreen Wayne was based upon the Wells novel, with
a few minor plot changes. For example, the Narrator in Wells book becomes
The Journalist and he no longer has a wife- he has a betrothed called
Carrie.
The action of the story takes place within the correct time period, in
Victorian England and features Burton’s masterful narration punctuated
at key points by songs beautifully written by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass.
The music is stunning.- an unusual mix of classical and rock with groundbreaking
synthesizer backing, all written by Jeff Wayne himself. Who could possibly
forget the Martian call ‘Ulla!’ once they had heard it?
Also worth noting is the wonderful artwork of the album. Within the accompanying
booklet are stunning paintings depicting key points of the work by Michael
Trim, Geoff Taylor and Peter Goodfellow. Over time to the album’s
many fans, the art has become an integral part of the whole piece.
Now, this classic work is due to be unleashed upon a new generation, with
an SACD ‘Collector’s Edition’ about to be released.
CAST-
The Journalist – Richard Burton
The Artillery Man – David Essex
Parson Nathaniel – Phil Lynott
Beth – Julie Covington
The Heat Ray / Guitars – Jo Partridge
Eve of the War and Forever Autumn sung by Justin Hayward
Thunder Child sung by Chris Thompson
Music by Jeff Wayne
Lyrics – Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass
Story Dramatized by Doreen Wayne
Epilogue voices by Jerry Wayne
Jeff
Wayne/Sony/JWM 1978/2005
For more information about, and to hear
samples of, the album please visit the official site of the album - http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com
War of the Worlds – Upcoming
Movie (2005) Paramount Pictures
June 2005 will see a new adaptation
of the classic story. Again, Paramount Pictures are responsible and we
are promised a real thrill ride. Director Steven Spielberg has hinted
at a dark take on the story and the trailers that have emerged so far
would seem to bear that out. Starring Tom Cruise, this movie is another
updated version. This time though, it would appear to follow the novels
plot closer than it’s 1953 predecessor.
For starters the aliens (not Martians
it appears) will create destruction from within tripods rather than the
manta ray war machines from before.
The story follows ‘ordinary Joe’
Ray as he tries to protect his family from the alien threat. The character
Ogilvy (the astronomer who spots the Martian cylinders in the novel) is
represented, but he would appear to be a possible amalgamation of several
characters and possibly a cop.
At this time we can only really state that, from the trailers, it looks
like it will be an interesting and exciting film.
CAST AND CREW
Ray Ferrier – Tom Cruise
Robbie Ferrier – Justin Chatwin
Rachel Ferrier – Dakota Fanning
Ogilvy – Tim Robbins
Mary Ann Ferrier – Miranda Otto
Screenplay by David Koepp
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Paramount Pictures 2005
The Official Movie website with links
to trailers and information - http://www.waroftheworlds.com/
H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds
(AKA Invasion) – Asylum Pictures (2005)
Another new adaptation
of the novel, this one is set to go straight to DVD release.
Again updated to modern day America, this film will follow the plot relatively
closely.
There would appear to be an Artillery Man figure, a Curate and there is
a ‘ruined house’ section.
The war machines this time are referred to as ‘Walkers’ and
have six legs instead of three. They appear to resemble crabs.
Whilst not as high in budget terms as Paramount’s new movie, this
looks from the trailers to be a fun movie.
CAST AND CREW
George Herbert – C. Thomas
Howell
Major Samuelson – Jake Busey
Matt Herbert – Peter Greene
Pastor Victor – Rhett Giles.
Written by David Michael Latt / Carlos
De Los Rios
Directed by David Michael Latt
Trivia – Attentive
readers may notice that the main characters name is a reversal of H.G.
Wells’ first names.
The Asylum movie website - http://www.theasylum.cc/
Asylum
2005
H.G. Wells’ The War of the
Worlds – Pendragon Pictures (2005?)
Supposedly the most faithfully
adapted of all War of the Worlds incarnations, this film has courted much
excitement, and a little controversy, so far.
Begun in 2001 as an updated, relocated
(modern day America) piece, the events of 9/11 changed the direction of
this production.
Filmed in England and America as ‘The
Great Boer War’ for secrecy, the action was transposed to Victorian
England and the script apparently faithfully follows the original novel.
Whilst the Seattle based production company have released a two trailers
and a cast list, not too much else is known apart from the above facts.
It was originally to be released to cinemas but a DVD release is now being
mooted. Dating any release is difficult as nothing has been heard from
the company for some time.
CAST AND CREW
The Writer – Anthony
Piana
Ogilvy – Jack Clay
The Artilleryman – James Lathrop
The Curate – John Kaufman
Miss Elphinstone – Jamie Lynn Sease
Mrs. Elphinstone – Susan Gosforth
Screenplay by Timothy Hines and Susan
Gosforth
Directed by Timothy Hines
Movie Website - http://www.pendragonpictures.com/WOTWKEY.html
THE END?
Well, that’s the
end of my rough guide to The War of the Worlds. Really I have only covered
the main points and incarnations. If this has whetted your appetite, I
will leave you with a last source you can use to follow this up. I hope
this guide helped and you enjoyed it, feel free to drop me a line if you
did.
http://www.waroftheworldsonline.com
- The biggest and best War of the Worlds fansite on the web since 2002.
The busiest and friendliest message board in the community can be found
at that address. I know all this because I work there ;)
Tony Wright (Evilnerfherder) 2005
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