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H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds (2005 film)

For other uses, see The War of the Worlds (film).
H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds
Directed by Timothy Hines
Produced by Susan Goforth
Written by Timothy Hines
Susan Goforth
H. G. Wells (novel)
Starring Anthony Piana
Music by Jamie Hall
Editing by Timothy Hines
Distributed by Pendragon Pictures
Release date(s) June 14, 2005
Running time 180 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds is one of three film adaptations of H. G. Wells' classic novel released in 2005. This version was produced by the independent film production company Pendragon Pictures and is distinguishable from the other film adaptations of the novel in that it is not a contemporary retelling, but rather set in the book's original time period and location. It is also the first film adaptation to be set in the United Kingdom as opposed to the more popular setting of the United States. It received mixed reviews by critics and was released in DVD, generating over a half million DVD sales in the U.S., Canada and through the Arm Forces. The movie has recently been released through GAGA on DVD in Japan.

Contents

Production history

The film's roots date back to 2000, when Pendragon Pictures approached Paramount with plans for their version, but with no results. Director Timothy Hines had long desired to make his own version of the story since he read the original novel at the age of eight. He had always wanted to tell the tale just as it was in the novel, but he eventually settled on a modern retelling, much like the original 1953 film and the recent Spielberg movie adaptation. Hines' version was to take place in Seattle, with a Martian attack preceded by neutralizing electromagnetic power, so that events could be kept as similar to the novel as possible.

Anticipation for the film began to stir in July of 2001, specifically from many anxious Wells fans. Pendragon Pictures claimed to have a budget of $42 million from investors who had become interested in Hines after seeing his desktop film, Bug Wars. Katie Tomlinson was supposed to lead the cast as the lead character Jody, the foreign correspondent, and Susan Goforth was also set to star. The company also had already begun negotiations with Charlize Theron, Eric Stoltz, and Michael Caine.[1] Hines was also planning to shoot the film in the brand new Sony CineAlta HD system which George Lucas had used to film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones [2].

Production began in early September 2001, with plans to move into principal photography by October of that year, and a Halloween 2002 target release date. However, the events of September 11th forced the filmmakers to rethink their plans, and soon after, Pendragon announced that they were halting production. Two weeks later, with the support of Charles Keller, the director of the H. G. Wells Society, Hines began writing a new script with producer Susan Goforth, while they were filming Chrome. The new direction taken was that this version was to be adapted directly from the Wells novel.

Little information appeared about the film until 2004, when it was revealed that the principal photography had finished under the fake title of The Great Boer War, and the producers planned to release the film on March 30, 2005. That date came and went with no film release. The film never opened in theaters, but was released in North America on DVD in June 2005.

Critical reaction

Although the film's score by Jamie Hall, was well received as a major feature of the film [3] [4], the film as a whole was received with mixed reviews by critics; who, though praising the good intentions behind the project and its faithfulness to the source material[5], sometimes described the result as "unendurable"[6], with "awful" effects[7].

Reaction evoked the work of Ed Wood by some associates of the creator of a 1970's musical version of the H. G. Wells work, and the worst of Mystery Science Theater 3000[8]. One reviewer suggested the performances were like that in British period melodramas, and likened Hines to Karel Zeman [9].

Film rights to The War of the Worlds are in the public domain in the United States, with Paramount claiming rights in the European Union, leaving the rest of the world markets wide open and thus allowing adaptations such as Pendragon's version to be legal. However, Hines claimed that Paramount had harassed him over legal issues and held up the release of his film, showing a letter from Paramount to Susanne Ault for an article in Video Business news dated 4/8/2005, which pointed out that he had no right to distribute his movie in the European Union.

A book published in early 2005 entitled War of the Worlds: From Wells to Spielberg which includes a respectable amount of information on the Pendragon film, says that the budget amount was approximately $25 million.[10]

In a 2004 interview with Scifidimensions.com, Hines stated that he had raised $42 million from early Microsoft employees for the updated modern version before the World Trade Center attacks. In an article in Businessweek, [1] it was reported that Hines was forced to abandon this approach due to similarities with the Trade Center attack[11]. Hines has stated that in 2001 he began negotiations with Michael Caine, Charlize Theron and Eric Stoltz to be in the film.[1]

In a series of questions presented by audiences[12], Hines claimed that the film never saw a theatrical release due to exhibitors pulling out, either from being bullied by Paramount, or through fear of reprisal from the studio.

Allegations of butting heads with Paramount have been ridiculed by competitors. In an article by Susanne Ault of Variety Business News Video Business news dated 4/8/2005, Ms. Ault wrote about letters written by a legal firm working for Paramount, citing them as proof that Paramount interfered in Hines' distribution. Paramount Pictures has not commented on these letters.

In July of 2006, Pendragon Pictures gave formal legal notice on the claim that the Dark Horse Comics publication comic book, the similarly named H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, lifted certain unique elements, such as camera angles, from Pendragon's film. The production company set up a site that displayed comparisons and let audiences decide for themselves, but as part of a settlement of the legal action with Dark Horse, this site no longer exists.

Re-releases

To date the film has been re-released twice, available in 17 countries including Japan, but neither are available in the European Union.

H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds: Director's Cut

Released: September, 2005
After complaints about the original film's three hour running time, this version cut about forty-five minutes from the running time. The version was only available in regions 2 and 4, and thus not available in the United States and Canada.

The Classic War of the Worlds

Released: December 25, 2006
This edition is the special final cut edit of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds and is 125 minutes long, fifty-five minutes shorter than the original film. It has added scenes, re-edits, and re-tooled special effects. The director says this is the definitive version. The Classic War of the Worlds replaces the 3 hour rough cut version, H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, that was widely distributed and is now discontinued.

Synopsis

The film follows the novel's plot, almost in exact detail, with some minor deviations. This authentic movie adaptation of the H. G. Wells classic novel tells the story of humanity at the turn of the 20th century as a large cylinder from space falls on the English countryside. A young writer is among those who witness the event. As the cylinder opens, horrifying tentacled creatures from Mars appear and it soon becomes apparent the Martians intend to attack. The quickly mushrooming war separates the writer and his beloved wife. He journeys to reunite with her while fighting for his own survival as the military launches counter attacks to stop the Martians. The writer is forced to bare witness as society collapses and the human race uses all of its knowledge and strength to win the war of the worlds.

Main cast

  • Anthony Piana - The Writer/The Brother
  • Jack Clay - Ogilvy
  • John Kaufmann - The Curate
  • Darlene Sellers - Mrs. Elphinstone
  • James Lathrop - The Artilleryman
  • Susan Goforth - The Wife
  • Jamie Lynn Sease - Miss Elphinstone

References

  1. ^ a b Spielberg beaten to War of the Worlds by secretly shot English rival
  2. ^ eve of the war free at eveofthewar.com
  3. ^ DVD Review: H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, Pendragon Pictures (Late in depth breakdown review)
  4. ^ BumsCorner.com :: Movie & DVD news, reviews and interviews...disheveled
  5. ^ H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds
  6. ^ FlickFilosopher.com: H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds (review)
  7. ^ Review of The War Of The Worlds (Timothy Hines, 2005)
  8. ^ DVD Talk Review: The War of the Worlds (Pendragon)
  9. ^ H.G Wells' The War of the Worlds: Mark's Take
  10. ^ Flynn, John L. (June 28, 2005). Galactic Books. ISBN 0976940000, p. 111
  11. ^ Timothy Hines (Director, H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds)
  12. ^ Director Answers Questions About War Of The Worlds

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