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Post by everso on Apr 12, 2011 17:18:12 GMT
It seems Aubrey and I watched the 1953 version of War of the Worlds this afternoon (I was eating my lunch - bacon and mushroom omelette). I hadn't seen it for years - in fact I was sure it was in black and white but it turned out to be in colour, so it probably was a very long time ago. Anyhow, I did go to see the Tom Cruise version a couple or three years back and I was sure that the original version must have been superior. How wrong I was. The acting was abysmal, the fx were typical 1950s (obviously) and the whole thing made me appreciate how good science fiction films are today. I've never read War of the Worlds (despite the fact that my aunt's husband counts H.G. Wells as one of his ancestors - my one claim to fame), so I don't know if the 1953 version of the film stuck more closely to the story, but frankly 1950s sf films really are pants. In fact, today's acting in films is so much better than years ago. I'm now going to probably be shot down in flames by Aubrey, Chris and Weyland.  |
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Post by Weyland on Apr 12, 2011 17:53:54 GMT
All I'll say is that the Cruise version barely follows the book at all. Great effects — Hollywood "plot". Happens all the time (see I, Robot).
IIRC the earlier one does at least make an attempt. The music is good, is it not?
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Post by everso on Apr 12, 2011 17:56:23 GMT
I have to say that the music to the 1953 version was typical of that era. Whooo-oooo-ooooo etc.
You have to admit though that the acting was pretty crap.
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Post by motorist on Apr 12, 2011 17:57:06 GMT
I agree with the Weylanator, the remake was utter dire. However, the acting in the original was somewhat wooden as well, lol!
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Post by Weyland on Apr 12, 2011 18:09:02 GMT
frankly 1950s sf films really are pants There is at least one exception to that, Ev — Forbidden Planet, starring Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis, Walter Pidgeon, and Robby the Robot. 1956. The plot is perfect (based loosely on The Tempest), the acting perfect for the plot, and even the effects were brilliant. Wonderful poster. Can't think of a single flaw.  |
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Post by motorist on Apr 12, 2011 18:16:34 GMT
I loved Forbidden Planet, seen it loads of times. There was a theatrical "Return to the Forbidden Planet" I went to see once which was most entertaining (the whole PLANET came from the person's Id!)
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Post by aubrey on Apr 12, 2011 20:21:50 GMT
The bit where they go inside the aliens' workings, and you see how big they are, and how small the humans are in comparison.
I thought the effects of the old WotW film were pretty good. A lot of modern effects just look like cartoons to me. The bit in the house was really good. The acting - I don't know. It seemed ok to me.
The religious stuff was a bit annoying, especially as the only religious bloke in the book is an irritatingly defeatist vicar.
I like 50s sf films. Invasion of the Bodysnatchers is on tomorrow, and that's really good. And I'm quite looking forward to the one on Thursday - Destination Moon, I think it is.
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Post by motorist on Apr 12, 2011 20:26:48 GMT
My favourite "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" was the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland. The 1956 one was quite well done, too. The two made after those have been... how shall we say... FUCKINCRAP!!! Damn that tourettes  |
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Post by aubrey on Apr 12, 2011 21:12:08 GMT
Really? I liked the Abel Ferrara(sp?) one. But Don!!  |
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Post by everso on Apr 12, 2011 22:16:29 GMT
The funny thing is that just the other day I was talking to my aunt who's blind. She lost her sight in the early 60s, but before then was an avid film fan. She went to see lots of 50s sci-fi films and when I was a kid I used to love her telling me about them: "The Incredible Shrinking Man", "Them", "Tarantula" and "Godzilla".
At the time, they must have been quite scary and were "X" films - strange how they are considered afternoon t.v. viewing nowadays!
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Post by motorist on Apr 13, 2011 7:16:37 GMT
Really? I liked the Abel Ferrara(sp?) one. But Don!! He's der man  |
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Post by Alpha Hooligan on Apr 14, 2011 13:26:26 GMT
All I'll say is that the Cruise version barely follows the book at all. Great effects — Hollywood "plot". Happens all the time (see I, Robot). IIRC the earlier one does at least make an attempt. The music is good, is it not? The Martian Walkers in the remake were scary as fuck.  AH |
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Post by everso on Apr 14, 2011 15:37:20 GMT
Yes. I liked the fact that children were involved as well, rather than a silly screaming woman. You can empathise more when there are children involved.
I'd have slapped that silly screaming woman.
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