H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds (Pendragon Pictures film)
H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds is a film adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel from the independent film production company Pendragon Pictures.
Production history
The film's roots date as far as back as 2000 when Pendragon Pictures actually approached Paramount with their version, but with no results. Although, the project was one Timothy Hines had desired since his childhood when he read the original novel at the age of eight, and had formed plans to make the film for decades prior. Hines had always wanted to tell the tale as it was in the novel, but outside influences convinced him to take this differently. As the project came to fruition, the film was to be a modern retelling much like the original 1953 film and the recent Spielberg movie adaptation, taking place this time in the location of Seattle with a Martian attack being first carried out in a neutralizing electromagnetic power, so that events could be translated closer to the novel as possible. With a script ready, production had begun in early September of 2001 with plans to move into principal photography by October with a release date set for Halloween the following year. However, the tragic events of September 11th caused the filmmakers to rethink this strategy. Soon after, Pendragon had announced that they were halting production. About two weeks passed when it was realized the potential in translating the book's precise material to screen, as well with the support of fans and Charles Keller, the director of the H.G. Wells Society. Soon afterwards, a new script was being penned by director Timothy Hines and producer Susan Goforth while filming Chrome. Once the live-action photography of Chrome had completed, research began on the details that would go into The War of the Worlds. Meanwhile, the status of the film seemed to be in constant question among the fan community as no new information was coming out about the film. Then in 2004, three years to the date since the last bit of word had rumbled through, it was announced that the principal photography had finished under the false title of The Great Boer War with an expected theatric release date of Spring of 2005, followed shortly by a solid date set of March 30th. From there, images and teaser trailers were released to fans in the following months along with treats of material released from Paramount's film. In late March, the film's release date slipped to an undetermined day in late April in order to carefully finish post-production (though the film had locked down a June 14th DVD release date). Then on the first day of May, with still no release, the film's site simply stated "Coming Soon!" Eventually in June a theatrical release was still expected along with the DVD. To date, the film has not been given a known release in theatres, and quite oddly, copies of the DVD were being sold in Wal-Mart stores a short time before it was available anywhere else.
Critical reaction
The film has been greeted with an overwhelming negative reaction from the War of the Worlds fanbase, as well as the few general critics and filmgoers who have reviewed it. Reaction has called upon the evocation of Ed Wood and a desire to resurrect Mystery Science Theater 3000. While much of the bashing began being based solely on the visuals presented leading up to the release, the final product did little, if anything, to change opinions. The bulk of the criticism is lashed out at what is felt to be amateurish acting, cheap special effects, clear anachronisms and inconsistencies (with many recalling the reported attention to detail being claimed), and an all too by-the-letter adaptation of the novel with numerous scenes of characters doing nothing but walking.
However, one of the few things to be spared, and in fact praised, is the film's score done by Jamie Hall with many feeling that it maybe the one redeeming feature of the film. There are plans to release a soundtrack.
Controversy
When the film was first delayed, Hines' explanation was not bought by many. Many believed that it may have been an attempt to capitalise on the release of the Steven Spielberg version. Many would note that the film's announcement of completing principal photography came within the same month after Paramount had announced that Spielberg and Tom Cruise were to make a film set for a June 29th release date of 2005. Another belief is that there was a failure to book the film into theatres or simply the lack of any theatrical distributor at all (some note that previous Hines productions such as Bug Wars and Starship Orpheus have never received a release). This was backed up by Hines' refusal to cite a distributor. Many questioned his accusations that Paramount had harassed him over legal issues, which many felt was backed up by David Michael Latt never claiming any such harassment with his film. (It should be noted that film rights to the War of the Worlds is public domain in the United States with Paramount claiming the international rights, but while The Asylum version goes by Invasion in order to sneak into international distribution, Pendragon forged their version as directly from the novel, so such a liberty was not an option). Later, in a series questions presented by audiences (collected on the film's site [1]), Hines explained that the film never saw a theatrical release due to exhibitors pulling out, possibly either being bullied, or simply a fear of reprisal from Paramount. Others theorize that Hines did not have a completed film, and hoped the hype, partly due to the completion of the DreamWorks film, would earn a backer to help finish the film.
Since late 2004, Pendragon Pictures' marketing campaign has been accused of shilling on the message boards of the Internet Movie Database. (Since the film's release many have believed that a similar occurrence has been perpetrated on Amazon.com's reviews and possibly many on IMDb who have been posting negatively on The Asylum's version.) Additionally, a post on the film's message board claims that certain staff members at Pendragon successfully reported posts shedding the film and its production company in a negative light for deletion by the administrators, and that a lawyer speaking on behalf of the filmmakers threatened legal action against the board's users. [2]
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