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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Tom Cruise and Gene Barry aren't the only ones to save Earth from a Martian invasion--from 1988 to 1990, an intrepid band of scientists and soldiers battled the Red Planet menace on the small screen in the action-packed syndicated television series War of the Worlds. The show operated on an intriguing premise that paid homage to George Pal's classic 1953 film version--the Martians, presumed dead at the end of the movie, are actually in a state of hibernation, and 30 years later, they have not only revived, but begun to inhabit human bodies in a second attempt to conquer our planet. Now, a team of scientists (led by dependable character actor Jared Martin) and soldiers (under the command of actor-playwright Richard Chaves) must convince humanity to fight against an alien onslaught. It's unfortunate that War of the Worlds caught on with only a small but loyal audience (the series lasted just two seasons), since its episodes delivered an entertaining mix of science fiction, action, and suspense; highlights from the first season include "Thy Kingdom Come," which introduces a supporting turn by Ann Robinson, who recreates her role from the 1953 film; "Eye for an Eye," which wryly revisits the famous 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds by Orson Welles that spread real panic over much of the Eastern seaboard; and the disturbing "Unto Us a Child Is Born," in which the human team and the aliens search for a half-Earthling, half-Martian baby. All 22 episodes of the debut season are included on this six-disc set; unfortunately for diehard fans, no supplemental features are included. --Paul Gaita
Product Description
H.G. Wells' chilling novel of a Martian invasion of Earth becomes even more frightening in this 1952 film adaptation that's widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. An Oscar. winner for Best Special Effects. Also available is the first season of the TV series: The attempted Martian invasion of the Earth in the 1950s was thwarted when the aliens fell foul of the common cold virus. But rather than die, the invaders went into hibernation and 30 years later they are revived and a second invasion attempt begins. The Martians can now possess human bodies and are opposed by a small band of resistance fighters.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 95 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The War of the Worlds t.v. series came at an interesting time in television history. In 1988, more and more shows were being directly released in syndication, effectively side-stepping the big networks (and thus big network costs). I've read that some people saw this on Saturday afternoons, but my Fox affiliate carried it on Friday nights (the well-known graveyard for good sci-fi).
As a huge fan of the original 1953 film, I was delighted that the series paid tribute by incorporating footage of that film into its opening credits, as well as a recurring role for that film's female lead, Ann Robinson as Sylvia Van Buren. The last primetime alien invasion series had been the late, lamented "V." And War of the Worlds owes as much to that series as to its source film and novel.
It's universally acknowledged that the first season was far superior to the second, which changed the format and killed off 2 of its stars in its first episode. But the first year was pretty solid, detailing the government-sanctioned battle against alien invaders by a small group of people. Jared Martin as Harrison and Richard Chaves as Ironhorse were standout performers. True, the syndicated format allowed for some occasionally over-the-top effects (similar to Freddy's Nightmares, also syndicated at the same time; and prefigured the X-Files more graphic scares five years later), which I recall being a turn-off to some fans of the original film. But War of the Worlds was an action-packed sci-fi series, and one that deserves another look.
As a huge fan of the original 1953 film, I was delighted that the series paid tribute by incorporating footage of that film into its opening credits, as well as a recurring role for that film's female lead, Ann Robinson as Sylvia Van Buren. The last primetime alien invasion series had been the late, lamented "V." And War of the Worlds owes as much to that series as to its source film and novel.
It's universally acknowledged that the first season was far superior to the second, which changed the format and killed off 2 of its stars in its first episode. But the first year was pretty solid, detailing the government-sanctioned battle against alien invaders by a small group of people. Jared Martin as Harrison and Richard Chaves as Ironhorse were standout performers. True, the syndicated format allowed for some occasionally over-the-top effects (similar to Freddy's Nightmares, also syndicated at the same time; and prefigured the X-Files more graphic scares five years later), which I recall being a turn-off to some fans of the original film. But War of the Worlds was an action-packed sci-fi series, and one that deserves another look.
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By mistermime
Format:DVD
The first season of War of the Worlds (1988-1989) was truly one of the most innovative and intriguing series on television. In many ways, it was a precursor to what the world would see on The X-Files years later. The premise of the first season follows the events of the 1953 George Pal film 35 years later as the aliens are resurrected from their involuntary hibernation (since they did not die at the end of the movie) and continue their mission to have Earth colonized. Since the aliens lack the technological hardware that they possessed in the movie, they are forced to carry out a hidden, guerilla type warfare- and they start by possessing human bodies as a means to go about undetected. Led by the triumvirate Advocacy, the aliens (who are from Mor-Tax not Mars- since by this time it was proven that there was no life on Mars) begin to have Earth colonized for their brethren who will be arriving in about 4 years.
Knowing that the alien threat is real, the government forms a secret team to counter the alien menace. This team includes eccentric astrophyicist, Harrison Blackwood (Jared Martin), microbiologist Suzanne McCullough (Lynda Mason Green), computer expert Norton Drake (Philip Akin) and Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse (the idolized Richard Chaves). The team begins to find ways to stop the alien menace and actively pursues them from accomplishing their goals.
The first season boasts many terrific episodes and some of the most memorable ones introduce new characters to the mix including the alien maverick Quinn who is trapped in a human body and who is immune to Earth's bacteria. Contaminated by his exposure to humanity, Quinn has developed a means for survival and intends to rule his kind instead of the Advocacy.
Unfortunately, idiotic suits changed the series in the second season because of in-house politics at Paramount. But fortunately, the show is receiving its proper DVD treatment. Let's hope Paramount doesn't edit lots of material. Buy this DVD- the first season still holds up amazingly.
Knowing that the alien threat is real, the government forms a secret team to counter the alien menace. This team includes eccentric astrophyicist, Harrison Blackwood (Jared Martin), microbiologist Suzanne McCullough (Lynda Mason Green), computer expert Norton Drake (Philip Akin) and Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse (the idolized Richard Chaves). The team begins to find ways to stop the alien menace and actively pursues them from accomplishing their goals.
The first season boasts many terrific episodes and some of the most memorable ones introduce new characters to the mix including the alien maverick Quinn who is trapped in a human body and who is immune to Earth's bacteria. Contaminated by his exposure to humanity, Quinn has developed a means for survival and intends to rule his kind instead of the Advocacy.
Unfortunately, idiotic suits changed the series in the second season because of in-house politics at Paramount. But fortunately, the show is receiving its proper DVD treatment. Let's hope Paramount doesn't edit lots of material. Buy this DVD- the first season still holds up amazingly.
55 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
At least in its first season, this was one of the most intelligent sci-fi series to come along, with good character development and compelling storylines. This series first played on Saturday afternoons in NYC, and I used to make a point of not missing it (this was the ancient days before VCR's became household items). I have never forgotten the episode where one of the heroes lost his beloved, and never knew what happened...excellently done.
Of course, since it succeeded, the suits had to change the plotline in the second season, to make it more "relevant to the 18-49 demographic"; it was soon cancelled.
Of course, since it succeeded, the suits had to change the plotline in the second season, to make it more "relevant to the 18-49 demographic"; it was soon cancelled.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
terrible transfer
I know people like to bring back the feel of those shows but the DVDs look like I am still seeing the show on a crappy TV from the period. Did they just tape it off a tv screen. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carl W. Taitano
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Blackwood project is finally on DVD!
a truly underrated masterpiece, War of the Worlds was a special show during a very awesome time in television history. Read more
Published 3 months ago by hide
4.0 out of 5 stars
You pays your money and you takes your pick
This will be a technical review as I still enjoy the series despite how old it occasionally looks. If you are after your retro fix, you'll probably be happy but if you are a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dysfunction
3.0 out of 5 stars
I Actually Prefer The Second Season
I know the WOTW fanatics are going to go nuts over this review because I'm going against the grain but I always though the first season was too campy and silly and derived way too... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Reality Shifter
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 Stars for the aliens.
I remember this show from TV and thought it would be fun to own and rewatch. Poor acting is the problem I have with this series. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Dr. Freeman
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short but great.
I just loved the cat-and-mouse game played in the first season. The aliens thought their revival had gone undetected and despite the lost of much of their burning-ray technology,... Read more
Published on February 21, 2011 by L. Davis
3.0 out of 5 stars
this one was always hard to swallow
This series was always hard on to get into . Even back in 88 when you had the premise of the world destroyed in 52 basically and now noone remembers it. Read more
Published on November 24, 2010 by Michael Dobey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Added to Collection
I've loved WAR OF THE WORLDS since I saw the 1950s version as a kid. In the 80s, I loved Friday nights when the series played on the old USA network. Read more
Published on October 23, 2010 by Sherrie Patching
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOFWSeason1
War of the Worlds was a syndicated TV show that lasted 2 seasons. The first year was a personal favorite while the 2nd lack much of the suspense found in the 1st year of the show. Read more
Published on October 4, 2010 by Daniel Lacey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Give It A Chance
The plea to give a show a chance has never been more appropriate than with "War of the Worlds." If you don't give it a chance, you won't even make it halfway through the pilot... Read more
Published on July 22, 2010 by Howard M. Kindel
