I first saw this when it was released, I was in high school, and was immersed in science fiction. I thought it was so good, I convinced my father to see it.
Overall, it's a good film, entertaining, and with a prologue embellished with a Chesley Bonestell tour of the Solar System. For its time, the special effects were good, and it was relatively easy to suspend disbelief.
I still like the film. I have it on both VHS and DVD.
(Minor spoilers) One thing that was frequently present in early science fiction stories was present in the film. When the "skeleton ray" weapon is used for the first time, Dr. Forrester takes a single look at it and comes out with a detailed technical explanation of its mechanics! Also, when the Martian TV camera is carried to the lab, it's "hooked up to an epidiascope" so that the earthmen can get a Martian's point of view. An epidiascope is a passive optical projector: they might as well have hooked it up to a slide projector.
Interestingly, a YB-49 Flying Wing was used to try to nuke the Martians. That really dates the film, since that bomber was passed over to the B-36. However, it looked more like the Martian craft than any other aircraft. (Why to people say they look like swans? Check out Manta rays.) There have been far worse films. This one's still enjoyable.
In contrast to the recent Spielberg War of the Worlds, this one has a clearer plot. The scientist on vacation learns of one of the earliest invaders, and brings back data to his colleagues. He and they try to take action against the invaders, and one even discovers a hint as to how they could be defeated (the sample of the aliens' blood). The more recent film bypasses this completely, and just has the protagonist running away with his children.
Overall, it's a good film, entertaining, and with a prologue embellished with a Chesley Bonestell tour of the Solar System. For its time, the special effects were good, and it was relatively easy to suspend disbelief.
I still like the film. I have it on both VHS and DVD.
(Minor spoilers) One thing that was frequently present in early science fiction stories was present in the film. When the "skeleton ray" weapon is used for the first time, Dr. Forrester takes a single look at it and comes out with a detailed technical explanation of its mechanics! Also, when the Martian TV camera is carried to the lab, it's "hooked up to an epidiascope" so that the earthmen can get a Martian's point of view. An epidiascope is a passive optical projector: they might as well have hooked it up to a slide projector.
Interestingly, a YB-49 Flying Wing was used to try to nuke the Martians. That really dates the film, since that bomber was passed over to the B-36. However, it looked more like the Martian craft than any other aircraft. (Why to people say they look like swans? Check out Manta rays.) There have been far worse films. This one's still enjoyable.
In contrast to the recent Spielberg War of the Worlds, this one has a clearer plot. The scientist on vacation learns of one of the earliest invaders, and brings back data to his colleagues. He and they try to take action against the invaders, and one even discovers a hint as to how they could be defeated (the sample of the aliens' blood). The more recent film bypasses this completely, and just has the protagonist running away with his children.