The War of the Worlds (1953): Cast, Ratings & Plot
The War of the Worlds is a 1953 action thriller directed by Byron Haskin, starring Gene Barry, Lewis Martin and Ann Robinson. It is partly based on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. It won 1 Oscar, including Special Effects. Critics gave it 78 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 25m (85 min)
- Director
- Byron Haskin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Based on
- The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The War of the Worlds About?
The premise of The War of the Worlds without spoilers, adapted from The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the aftermath of a devastating meteorite shower, scientists Clayton Forrester and Sylvia Van Buren witness the terrifying start of an alien invasion. As the U.S. military struggles to combat the technologically superior extraterrestrial force, the situation appears hopeless. However, when they manage to injure one of the alien war machines, a glimmer of hope arises. Their urgent research focuses on discovering the aliens' vulnerability before humanity faces complete annihilation.
The War of the Worlds Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- alien
- martian
- alien invasion
- national film registry
- california
- based on the works of h.g. wells
- narration
- small town
- atomic bomb
- scientist
- panic
- ray gun
+38 more Show fewer
- disintegration
- los angeles california
- flashlight
- stopped watch
- the white house washington d.c.
- library science
- church
- remade
- alien contact
- alien technology
- fictional war
- reporter
- atom bomb
- apocalypse
- disaster
- five word title
- brush fire
- nuclear bomb
- narration as exposition
- alien invasion sci fi
- humanity in jeopardy
- documentary footage
- prologue
- police officer killed
- bomber
- epic sci fi
- ditch
- marine
- dating
- ruins
- uncle
- statue of liberty
- washington monument
- year 1953
- 1950s
- meteor
- force field
- pebble
The War of the Worlds Cast
Gene Barry leads the cast, with Lewis Martin and Ann Robinson. Directed by Byron Haskin; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Byron Haskin
Also Starring in The War of the Worlds
· 6 moreMore from Byron Haskin
More films directed by Byron Haskin, best-rated first: Treasure Island, I Walk Alone, The Power and Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
The War of the Worlds Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The War of the Worlds 78 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 7.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB
The War of the Worlds Plot Summary
What happens in The War of the Worlds from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a striking voiceover by Sir Cedric Hardwicke, warning that greedy eyes are fixated on our beautiful blue planet. These beings, who covet our clear air and abundant resources, have considered retreating to other planets within our Solar System but found them all inhospitable. The narrative hints at past cataclysms, mentioning World War I and World War II while forebodingly indicating the emergence of another threat: the war of the worlds. As both Earth and Mars align closely in their orbits, ominous attacks begin.
Full summary
The whole story of The War of the Worlds, scene by scene
The War of the Worlds Awards & Nominations
The War of the Worlds won 1 Oscar, including Special Effects.
1 win3 nominations1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1954 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Special Effects
- Nominated Film Editing
- Nominated Sound Recording
The War of the Worlds Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Rick Baker on WAR OF THE WORLDS
How Well Do You Know The War of the Worlds?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who provides the opening voiceover in The War of the Worlds?
Cars in The War of the Worlds
46 cars on screen, including the 1946 Dodge W-Series and the 1939 Chevrolet Heavy-Duty COE.
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1946 Dodge W-Series Important role -
1939 Chevrolet Heavy-Duty COE Minor role -
1948 Dodge B-Series Minor role -
1948 Dodge Panel Minor role
The War of the Worlds Also Known As
32 alternative titles, including “La Guerra de los Mundos” and “Kampf der Welten”.
- Also known as
-
- La Guerra de los Mundos
- Kampf der Welten
- La guerre des mondes
- Oorlog der werelden
- A Guerra dos Mundos
- Война на световете
- Válka světů
- Klodernes kamp
- Maailmojen sota
- Världarnas krig
- Ο πόλεμος των κόσμων
- Világok háborúja
+20 more Show fewer
- La guerra dei mondi
- 宇宙戦争
- Klodenes kamp
- Wojna światów
- Războiul lumilor
- Rat svetova
- Vojna svetov
- Вoйна миров
- 地球爭霸戰
- Dünyalar çarpışıyor
- מלחמת העולמות
- Война миров
- La guerra dels mons
- Guerra dos Mundos
- Війна світів
- Dünyalar Savaşı
- 우주전쟁
- 世界大战
- Rat svjetova
- Đại Chiến Thế Giới
Seen The War of the Worlds?
Movies Like The War of the Worlds
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including War of the Worlds, War of the Worlds: The Attack and The War of the Worlds.
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War of the Worlds 2005 -
War of the Worlds: The Attack 2023 -
The War of the Worlds 2019 -
War of the Worlds 2025 -
War of the Worlds: Goliath 2014 -
H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds 2005 -
War of the Worlds: Extinction 2024 -
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave 2008 -
The War of the Worlds: Next Century 1981 -
H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds 2005 -
War of the Worlds: Annihilation 2021 -
War of the Planets 1977
The War of the Worlds FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of The War of the Worlds, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The War of the Worlds?
The War of the Worlds runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was The War of the Worlds released?
The War of the Worlds was released on August 26, 1953.
Who directed The War of the Worlds?
The War of the Worlds was directed by Byron Haskin.
More films by Byron Haskin Who is in the cast of The War of the Worlds?
The War of the Worlds stars Gene Barry, Lewis Martin and Ann Robinson, among 10 credited actors.
How is The War of the Worlds rated?
The War of the Worlds has 78 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Is The War of the Worlds based on a book?
Yes. The War of the Worlds is partly adapted from The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells.
What awards did The War of the Worlds win?
The War of the Worlds won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Special Effects at the Oscars 1954.
Does The War of the Worlds have a post-credit scene?
No. The War of the Worlds has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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