MovieChat Forums > The War of the Worlds (1953) Discussion > Was this a big hit back in the 50s?

Was this a big hit back in the 50s?

posted 10 years ago by snickerdoodle68
4 replies | jump to latest

If you're old enough to remember: was this movie a big hit with audiences, or did it enjoy smaller 'sleeper' success with the nerdy, scifi crowd?

I ask because I just watched this on HDTV and thought it was terrific. Aside from the dated 1950s culture I think it holds up very well. Even without CGI and modern SFX I thought the invaders were still scary, and the sound effects especially effective. It makes me wish I could have experienced watching this movie when it originally opened. A terrific, tension-filled movie.

To the haters and atheists who can't get past the religious themes: Get over it! Religion was and still is widely practiced by vast majority of human beings on this planet. Questions about God and whatnot will always have its place in art. The day God dies in our culture is the day art and culture dies, and then we will enter another Dark Ages. No thanks!

[–] SpiltPersonality 9 years ago

According to this:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_%281953_film%29

Yes, it was the most successful 1953 sci-fi. Didn't research how many sci-fi's came out, but it seems 'successful' maybe not a hit per se, but define 'hit'.

Regarding the religious themes, you're right, but it is even worse than you think - It's based on H.G. Well's book for crying out loud, and if you've read the book it has definite religious overtones. Hell, to take the religion out of the book is akin to making a secular version of 'the Chronicles of Narnia'!!!

[–] Erik-Bloodaxe 9 years ago

I read a book once about classic Sci Fi movies and the writer said he saw this as a little kid when it was released but said he covered his eyes most of the time because even the noises terrified him !

'Knowledge is cheap at any price'

[–] kennethpeterka 9 years ago

Was this released widescreen?

[–] kennethpeterka 9 years ago

Never mind; 1.85:1 was the cutting edge format in 1953!