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Subject:
The War of the Worlds
Author:
H. G. Wells
Available:
This book has been on the shelves since 1898.
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The War of the Worlds was originally published over a
century ago, approximately five years before the first powered flight at
Kitty Hawk, and roughly a decade and a half prior to the advent of the First
World War. And yet, even today, over one hundred years after that first
printing, this book continues to enthrall legions of readers all around the
world, and will probably go on doing so for many centuries to come.
Wells' apocalyptic vision of
mankind on the brink is penned by a survivor, who is attempting some years
later to set down an authentic record of all that transpired during the
invasion. While the narrative relies mainly on the author's own eyewitness
testimony to move the story forward, there are some scenes which are described
from his brother's point of view, and a few others that are cobbled together
based on hearsay and speculation (since, in these instances, no one remained
alive to tell the tale). But, for the most part, this story revolves around the
protagonist, who, when confronted by disastrous events beyond his control, is
forced into a day by day struggle, just to survive.
Whether on the micro or the
macro scale, Wells' innate knowledge of his fellow men allows the author to
describe their reaction to the growing crisis with amazing foresight. Although
the mass exodus of humanity that would take place in Europe at the beginning of
the Second World War was still almost half a century away, Wells portrayed it
with chilling accuracy. Just as he successfully managed to relate the initial
sense of curiosity and amusement, followed by disbelief, and then, stark
terror, which so many people seem to experience when faced with some unexpected
calamity (as was so tragically illustrated in the South Pacific during the
recent tsunami). That Wells could predict the response of his fellow men with
such precision, and then describe their reactions in the most exacting detail,
speaks volumes to this author's sagacity.
The author's depictions of
Martian Technology are equally perceptive. While the war machines that Wells
described were fantastic and terrifying, the principles that lay behind
their construction were based upon plausible extrapolations of late Victorian
Age science. During the 20th century, many of the weapons and
machines employed by the Martians for their fictional assault on humanity were
actually replicated by scientists and engineers in the real world-others are
only now making their way to the drawing boards. And a few of the technologies
outlined in the story are still beyond the reach of 21st century
science (even though the latest research indicates that in the coming decades
scientists will make most of these a reality, also).
H. G. Wells was a true
visionary; a prognosticator extraordinaire. And his novel, The War of the
Worlds, defined an entire genre. This is a must read for fans of speculative
fiction.
Audio Scan:
Subject:
Review of past interviews
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Visual Scan:
Movie:
The War of the Worlds
Release Date: Current
Where: In theatres around the world
The American mass market audience was first introduced
to The War of the Worlds by Orson Welles, during his landmark 1938 radio broadcast.
Despite the fact that it was pointed out to the listeners on more than one
occasion that this was only a radio play, mass hysteria promptly ensued. There
are many sensational stories associated with this broadcast: panic in the
streets, terrified listeners committing suicide, and even groups of armed citizens
attacking water towers in the mistaken belief that they were Martian war
machines. How much of this pandemonium actually occurred (and how much was
media hype) is difficult to say, especially at this juncture. Either way, it is
safe to assume that the story made an impression.
Around the middle of the century a film version was
released, and while it was quite popular with audiences of this and later
periods, there was no mass panic associated with its debut. Over the last few decades
this movie has gained (a well deserved) cult status and is still making the
rounds on cable TV. So, if you haven't seen it yet, don't worry, you will.
Steven Spielberg's The War of the Worlds is the third
major adaptation of the H. G. Wells classic to be produced in the US, and, in
many ways, it is also one of the most provocative.
This latest incarnation, despite its 21st
century skin, captures much of the look and feel of the original novel. Anyone
who is familiar with the story will recognize many of the scenes (although
Spielberg does manage to slip in a few salutes to the mid 20th
century classic along the way). The Martian war machines are well
conceptualized and rendered, and, for the first time, (on this side of the
pond) they actually tower over the landscape, dwarfing the puny humans who
scatter before their onslaught. There are blistering heat rays, and sinister
metallic tentacles, and weirdly shaped tufts of Martian redweed, and even a
raving madman, all the elements which made Wells' apocalyptic tale such a
compelling read.
As in the novel, the main focus of the story is on one
man, the protagonist, played by Tom Cruise. His character, Ray, is not a high ranking
general or government official, but rather just a plain, everyday guy, suddenly
thrust into a living nightmare that defies his comprehension. Ray isn't
planning or participating in the defense of our world, he is simply trying to
survive, to protect his family. By using this approach, Spielberg makes the
scenes all that much more frightening, since Ray, unlike so many other movie
heroes, is in no position to strike back at his tormentors. Instead, the
protagonist finds himself completely at the mercy of the alien invaders. He
can't rescue the world, much less the people around him. The only ones Ray can
help are his immediate family, and himself. Spielberg uses Ray's predicament to
pose a very sobering question to the viewer: When suddenly faced with a cataclysmic
life or death situation, where does our much vaunted altruism end, and the raw,
instinctual need for survival begin?
Don't expect to walk out of this movie feeling all warm
and fuzzy (you won't). But that's okay, because you aren't supposed to. In many
ways, the film represents one of the most powerful artistic statements ever
made by this internationally acknowledged master craftsman. Beautifully
conceived and presented, The War of the Worlds is definitely one of Steven
Spielberg's darkest gems. If you haven't seen this film already, then you most
certainly should. You'll get your money's worth, and more.
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