The War of the Worlds (1953) (US - DVD R1)
We also have the art for a new collector's edition of this classic
Title: The War of the Worlds (1953)
Starring: Gene Barry
Released: 1st November 2005
SRP: Around $19.99
Paramount Home Entertainment has kindly sent over artwork for a new special collector's edition of the original 1953 War of the Worlds which is widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. This single-disc special edition will be available to own from the 1st November this year, and should retail at around $19.99. Extra material will include an audio commentary with stars Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, a second commentary with film historian Bob Burns and Bill Warren, two featurettes entitled "The Sky is Falling: The Making of War of the Worlds" and "H.G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction", the complete Mercury Theater on the Air radio broadcast and the original trailer. The artwork is attached:

News by Tom Woodward
Starring: Gene Barry
Released: 1st November 2005
SRP: Around $19.99
Further Details
Paramount Home Entertainment has kindly sent over artwork for a new special collector's edition of the original 1953 War of the Worlds which is widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. This single-disc special edition will be available to own from the 1st November this year, and should retail at around $19.99. Extra material will include an audio commentary with stars Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, a second commentary with film historian Bob Burns and Bill Warren, two featurettes entitled "The Sky is Falling: The Making of War of the Worlds" and "H.G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction", the complete Mercury Theater on the Air radio broadcast and the original trailer. The artwork is attached:

News by Tom Woodward
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Existing Posts
Does anyone know where I can get a replacement cover for this DVD? I hate the packaging and like the original poster art a lot more. If anyone has a link,, LET ME KNOW! Thanks.
News from The Digital Bits (thedigitalbits.com): Paramount has revealed that in addition to The War of the Worlds (1953): Special Collector's Edition they have planned for release on 11/1, you can look for the first season of the 1988 War of the Worlds TV series on that day as well.
I've seen the 2005 version and loved it and since then i've wanted to see this one, but couldn't find it anywhere at any rental store. who knows, maybe they might have this version.

Quote: Originally posted by Aaron Schneiderman
Aren't we all reading this website?Touche'
Aren't we all reading this website?Touche'

Aren't we all reading this website?
Quote: Originally posted by Jonny "Me You"
what is this crazy "book" thing you speak of?
hehehe
...I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW...and run off into the hills, or wherever. Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, I wonder: "Did little demons get inside and type it?" I don't know! My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.

what is this crazy "book" thing you speak of?

...I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW...and run off into the hills, or wherever. Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, I wonder: "Did little demons get inside and type it?" I don't know! My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.


Quote: Originally posted by Worst Nightmare
Hey, I have a crazy idea, why don't people go out and read the book? It's heaps better than the movie adaptions....
what is this crazy "book" thing you speak of?
hehehe
Hey, I have a crazy idea, why don't people go out and read the book? It's heaps better than the movie adaptions....
what is this crazy "book" thing you speak of?

Quote: Originally posted by Josh F
ah man! I saw this and thought it was the remake. I got all excited. Then I saw the 1953 at the end. Daaaaamn!!!
Yeah, I'm definately getting the remake when it comes out on DVD. It was definately my favorite film of the summer.
ah man! I saw this and thought it was the remake. I got all excited. Then I saw the 1953 at the end. Daaaaamn!!!
Yeah, I'm definately getting the remake when it comes out on DVD. It was definately my favorite film of the summer.

ah man! I saw this and thought it was the remake. I got all excited. Then I saw the 1953 at the end. Daaaaamn!!!
Put aside the "remake"......
.....and enjoy this movie. Who gives a $^% if its a "rethinking", a "remake" or whatever. I wish they would drop the crappy cover art, and do what WB has been doing: Promote the original look of the movie. I hope Paramount got the stereo mix of this movie, like on the laserdisc!
Quote: Originally posted by Steven Carrier
I actually perfer the remake, everything about that was thrilling and brillent. But if only this had better effects is would be a lot easier to take. But I guess the crappy effects is part of its charm.
That's a ridiculous comment considering this was made in the fifties. Regardless, this is the superior version hands down.
I actually perfer the remake, everything about that was thrilling and brillent. But if only this had better effects is would be a lot easier to take. But I guess the crappy effects is part of its charm.
That's a ridiculous comment considering this was made in the fifties. Regardless, this is the superior version hands down.
Seems like I'm the only one who misses the banner on all of Paramount's DVD's.
It's a shame that it took the success of the current War of the Worlds adaption to get them to release this classic - I prefer this '50s version or rendition of the book.
Hey, I have a crazy idea, why don't people go out and read the book? It's heaps better than the movie adaptions....
Hey, I have a crazy idea, why don't people go out and read the book? It's heaps better than the movie adaptions....
If you're referring to the Pendragon version, it was actually filmed in Washington state.
It was, of course, an amateur production and thus a great disappointment.
It was, of course, an amateur production and thus a great disappointment.
I don't like the cover.
ANSWER: The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing from Another World, all the Ray Harryhausen films, the original Star Trek series, and the original version of War of the Worlds.
QUESTION: What were the most rockin' ass Sci-Fi influences on your childhood?
Classics, All.
QUESTION: What were the most rockin' ass Sci-Fi influences on your childhood?
Classics, All.
Yep, not a thrilling cover
Nice features but....
The original DVD release of this film co-incided with the theatrical release of ID4 and so they made the cover art similar in style and it sucked.
Now we get a new release (at least this time with some decent goodies on it) and the artwork blows even worse, likely to capitalize on Spielberg's version. GAH!!!
What the hell is wrong with digging up the orginal classic poster art? Looked great on Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, Forbidden Planet, etc, etc.
I hate it when they try to contemporize a classic film by giving it slick, flashy, poorly photoshoped artwork. Honor the film and the fans and give us the classic artwork!
Please Paramount! There's still plenty of time, CHANGE THE COVER ART!!
Now we get a new release (at least this time with some decent goodies on it) and the artwork blows even worse, likely to capitalize on Spielberg's version. GAH!!!
What the hell is wrong with digging up the orginal classic poster art? Looked great on Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, Forbidden Planet, etc, etc.
I hate it when they try to contemporize a classic film by giving it slick, flashy, poorly photoshoped artwork. Honor the film and the fans and give us the classic artwork!
Please Paramount! There's still plenty of time, CHANGE THE COVER ART!!
I have yet to see this movie or any of the 3 released this year, but I'm glad I held out on buying it.
Quote: Originally posted by Aaron Schneiderman
...(the new Spielberg film) doesn't detract one bit from the original's status as a classic motion picture (wires and all).
Totally agree...after The Thing From Another World, this is my favorite classic sci-fi film, although Forbidden Planet runs an awfully close third. And those special effects that some have been dogging won the film an Academy Award and were the benchmark for special effects until Forbidden Planet came along about three years later.
...(the new Spielberg film) doesn't detract one bit from the original's status as a classic motion picture (wires and all).
Totally agree...after The Thing From Another World, this is my favorite classic sci-fi film, although Forbidden Planet runs an awfully close third. And those special effects that some have been dogging won the film an Academy Award and were the benchmark for special effects until Forbidden Planet came along about three years later.
Quote: Originally posted by Cathelotte Jean-Michel
The original novel took place in the late 1800's, and all the action took place in a small british village...
Juste like in the OTHER WotW movie of 2005: a (now duh!) smaller english picture who was supposed to be release this summer... I wonder what appened to this movie and why (!!!).
It is available on DVD here in R1...
Amazon Link
The original novel took place in the late 1800's, and all the action took place in a small british village...
Juste like in the OTHER WotW movie of 2005: a (now duh!) smaller english picture who was supposed to be release this summer... I wonder what appened to this movie and why (!!!).
It is available on DVD here in R1...
Amazon Link
The original novel took place in the late 1800's, and all the action took place in a small british village...
Juste like in the OTHER WotW movie of 2005: a (now duh!) smaller english picture who was supposed to be release this summer... I wonder what appened to this movie and why (!!!). As for the Spielberg version (and not remake), if the first hour is great (the tension, the highway sequence, the SFX...) the second is rubish, to say the least. The girl, who might be the greatest children-actress today, only do two things in the movie : screaming and beeing anoying (1/4 hour into the film I already wanted the alien to kill her, so she would SHUT UP!). And the ending is totaly ridiculous (the happy hending). The only good thing about the ending is that the grand-mother and father of the children are played by the actor and actress heroes of the 53's version!.
Juste like in the OTHER WotW movie of 2005: a (now duh!) smaller english picture who was supposed to be release this summer... I wonder what appened to this movie and why (!!!). As for the Spielberg version (and not remake), if the first hour is great (the tension, the highway sequence, the SFX...) the second is rubish, to say the least. The girl, who might be the greatest children-actress today, only do two things in the movie : screaming and beeing anoying (1/4 hour into the film I already wanted the alien to kill her, so she would SHUT UP!). And the ending is totaly ridiculous (the happy hending). The only good thing about the ending is that the grand-mother and father of the children are played by the actor and actress heroes of the 53's version!.
This version got me into Sci-Fi from the get-go. I always loved this movie and the raido show that Orsen Wells did. I even love Steven Spielberg's take on the story. His was not a remake just his take, because there are alot of versions of War of the Worlds on video and DVD. If any of you even had the time to read the original H.G. Wells novel you would know that the story took place around the 1900's.
I love George Pal's 1953 version of "War of the Worlds." However, I believe Steven Spielberg loved that film as well. If you are going to criticize anyone, you should criticize the makers of "Independence Day." Even though its an enjoyable popcorn flick, it was an obvious rip-off of the 1953 film without proper credit given to the story that inspired it. Steven Spielberg had the good sense to focus the attention from the hackneyed military and scientist plotline to the harrowing experience of one family caught up in the carnage (much like M. Night Shyamalan's, Signs). I thought the remake was one of the best films this summer. That doesn't detract one bit from the original's status as a classic motion picture (wires and all).
blah/
Spielberg's film contained thrilling and exciting moments...but he has MUCH better films...This is worlds (no pun intended) better.
Cool. Haven't seen it but sence I saw War of the Worlds last June I've been lookin forward to seein this.
Pal vs. Harryhausen
My one problem I have with the 1953 version is that it prevented Ray Harryhausen from doing his version.
For a tantilising glimpse at what could have been, may I suggest you get ahold of the Ray Harryhausen: Early Years Collection and view the scene of the Martian emerging from the cylinder?
For a tantilising glimpse at what could have been, may I suggest you get ahold of the Ray Harryhausen: Early Years Collection and view the scene of the Martian emerging from the cylinder?
This original movie is awesome. I love this cover art also. I think Paramount did a great job for once. The remake is a great movie as well. Can't wait for this S.E.!
Hmmm, maybe this is why Netflix doesn't have this movie. They're probably holding out for this edition.
I've never actually seen this version, but ever since seeing the awesome 2005 version of War of the Worlds, I want to. I'll definately be renting this one.
I've never actually seen this version, but ever since seeing the awesome 2005 version of War of the Worlds, I want to. I'll definately be renting this one.

1953 or 2005?
Well, I have seen both and you can't really compare them. First of all, the 2005 Spielberg version is NOT a remake of the 1953 version, which is NOT a faithful adaptation of the HG Wells novel.
I much prefer the 1953 version. Not because I am a cinema snob, but because it is clearly a better movie. The Spielberg version may have fantastic special effects, it still has a very weak script and an even weaker ending. The movie would actually have been a lot better if the little girl had sneezed on the Martians and given them the flu!
War of the World 2005 has been a very disappointing movie indeed.
I much prefer the 1953 version. Not because I am a cinema snob, but because it is clearly a better movie. The Spielberg version may have fantastic special effects, it still has a very weak script and an even weaker ending. The movie would actually have been a lot better if the little girl had sneezed on the Martians and given them the flu!
War of the World 2005 has been a very disappointing movie indeed.

I'd like to thank 'slave2chaos' for actually comprehending the situation

not needed...
wait for the remake on dvd
wait for the remake on dvd
Would of prefered it if they used the original 50s artwork.
Im fairly certain that all those of you who are making the claim that the 1953 version is superior are simply cinema snobs who hate anything made in hollywood in the last 30 years. Do you hate the spielberg film because it has CGI as opposed to crappy little ships on strings? The tripods didnt even use ships in the book, they used the gigantic walkers from the remake, so you obviously arent making the arguement based on accuracy of adherence to the source material...You just hate anything with flashy effects, even though there is a much more intimate thriller about how a family would survive an invasion underneath the special effects (although i will admit, it sucked that Boston was such a safe-haven at the end...but the rest of the movie was good dammit!)
Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds is NOT a remake of the 1953 version, its a different take on the story by H.G.Wells. Because of this, and the fact that they were made 50 years apart, they can't be compared. I loved both and they each had their own qualities. Spielberg's was a lot more intense, but the 1950's version had it's own style of terror as well. People who love just one of these shouldn't hate the other because they're not even in competition.
I agree, Johnny
Sorry, but the '53 version wipes the floor with that half-baked Spielberg version. And who cares if you can see the wires on the ships?
Quote: Originally posted by Tony DeFrancisco
The remake was way better than this
I beg to differ
The remake was way better than this
I beg to differ

For Christ's sake people, this was made in the 50s. How are the effects supposed to compete with a multi-million dollar movie (which isn't a remake) released in 2005?
The remake was way better than this, though I'm gonna get this version when it comes out on DVD
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953)
I actually perfer the remake, everything about that was thrilling and brillent. But if only this had better effects is would be a lot easier to take. But I guess the crappy effects is part of its charm.
FINALLY
I can't wait to see what the special features are, this is such a great movie. It is definitely one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. It's nice to see that Paramount has finally changed that cheap banner on the top of all their DVD's. I'm not sure how I feel about the artwork though... I think it's a bit disappointing.
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