| H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds | |
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| 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.
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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 claimed it 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 caused 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 on DVD in June 2005. Unfortunately, owing to its membership in the European Union, the film is unavailable in the United Kingdom.
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 generally poorly received by critics; who, though praising the good intentions behind the project and its faithfulness to the source material[5], described the result as "unendurable"[6], with "awful" effects[7]. Reaction evoked the work of Ed Wood and the worst of Mystery Science Theater 3000[8]. One reviewer suggested the performances were intended to parody British period melodrama, and likened Hines to Karel Zeman [9]. Examples of the movie effects shots:
 Martian tripods |
 Martian flying-machine |
Controversy
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 outside America. A book published in early 2005 entitled 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 but chose 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. Noted author Bill Warren posted on the Mobius Home Video forum that he was told by Starlog editor Dave McDonnell that the film "doesn't really exist beyond a reel or two shot to try to lure enough investors to complete the movie." Allegations of butting heads with Paramount have been ridiculed by many detractors. David Michael Latt, director of the nearly identical titled H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds made no mention of any legal notices from Paramount[13], maintaining that they had gotten full legal clearance before making their film. Latt even dismissed any possibility that their production was a threat by stating that "DreamWorks could care less about us."[14] 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 www.martianinvaders.com, but this site no longer exists. The Dark Horse case is still pending.
Re-releases
To date the film has been re-released twice, 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.
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
- ^ a b http://www.computercrowsnest.com/sfnews2/04_sept/news0904_9.shtml
- ^ http://www.eveofthewar.com/articles/6462
- ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20060518052127/eveofthewar.com/articles/9421/DVD_Review:_H._G._Wells'_The_War_of_the_Worlds,_Pendragon_Pictures_(Late_in_depth_breakdown_review)
- ^ http://www.bumscorner.com/bumnuke/index.php?module=ProdReviews&func=showcontent&id=146
- ^ http://www.mania.com/49424.html
- ^ http://www.flickfilosopher.com/flickfilos/archive/2005/warworldspendragon.shtml
- ^ http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/war_of_the_worlds_hines.htm
- ^ http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=16756
- ^ http://www.computercrowsnest.com/features/arc/2005/nz8272.php
- ^ Flynn, John L. (June 28, 2005). Galactic Books. ISBN 0976940000, p. 111
- ^ http://www.scifidimensions.com/Nov04/timothyhines.htm
- ^ http://www.pendragonpictures.com/WOTWQA.html
- ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20060518190109/http://www.eveofthewar.com/articles/8322/Interview_with_Director_of_The_Asylums_War_of_the_Worlds_David_Latt
- ^ http://www.waroftheworldsonline.com/features/interviewlatt.htm
External links
- Official site
- News Repository
- Variety ad placed by Pendragon Pictures in 2001
- 'War Of The Worlds' Nightmare Continues For Pendragon
- Pre- and post-9/11 info
- H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds at the Internet Movie Database
