I won't compare this film to the recent remake simply because they are two very different tellings of H.G. Wells' story, and deserve to be looked at in different manners. This film, while not free of some silly dialog or FX goofs (I.E. suspension strings!), it remains to me the single most convincing science fiction invasion film I have ever seen; there are a number of reasons for this.
First: The dialog, as mentioned, is silly at times, but for a 1950's sci-fi film, the acting is generally top-notch. While Gene Barry's Clayton Forrester maintains the same expression throughout the entire film (which irks some viewers, understandably), he at least remains believable as a scientist who is dumbfounded and awestruck that earth is being invaded. Other roles in the film range from semi believable to very believable, and the panic and sorrow that the invasion creates feels genuine as well, unlike most films from the era where panic is portrayed by women clutching their cheeks and screaming helplessly.
Second: The effects hold up. Yes, we know the war machines are models, and here and there we are reminded of that. But thanks to wonderfully detailed craftsmanship, as well as good set lighting, the machines are nonetheless very convincing, and effectively menacing. The first battle scene between the Martians and the Army feels so real, with so much noise, confusion and destruction (for a movie of that era), I determine how much I appreciate all other films depicting battle between the human race and aliens by comparing them to this scene.
Finally: The feel of the film is genuine. It is creepy, dreary, and just plain well done. The music is one aspect which dates it, but it remains an essential part of the experience, creating a feel of urgency, depression and eeriness, as if it knows the end of the world is near. One thing I will compare to this film in Spielberg's latest is the feeling of mass panic. While we do see people running and fleeing on an epic scale in both, in the latest, it feels all too convenient for a good action scene. In this version, it feels desperate and real.
Is it worth seeing after having the hype of the remake still present in our consciousness? Yes, considering two things: First, the remake pays homage to this film in a number of scenes, with some aspects that never appeared in the book (such as the nature of what happens in the basement scene). It's fun to go back and look at what originally gave Spielberg some of his ideas. Second, while everyone has their favorite S/F movie which they're biased towards, and this one is obviously mine, I still believe this is the most well-made piece of cinema depicting a hostile alien invasion ever to come out of the fifties and sixties. I still look at the effects and am amazed that it was made in 1953. It's a rare thing when watching a 1950's science fiction movie and the word "cheesy" pops up in my head fewer than three times.
First: The dialog, as mentioned, is silly at times, but for a 1950's sci-fi film, the acting is generally top-notch. While Gene Barry's Clayton Forrester maintains the same expression throughout the entire film (which irks some viewers, understandably), he at least remains believable as a scientist who is dumbfounded and awestruck that earth is being invaded. Other roles in the film range from semi believable to very believable, and the panic and sorrow that the invasion creates feels genuine as well, unlike most films from the era where panic is portrayed by women clutching their cheeks and screaming helplessly.
Second: The effects hold up. Yes, we know the war machines are models, and here and there we are reminded of that. But thanks to wonderfully detailed craftsmanship, as well as good set lighting, the machines are nonetheless very convincing, and effectively menacing. The first battle scene between the Martians and the Army feels so real, with so much noise, confusion and destruction (for a movie of that era), I determine how much I appreciate all other films depicting battle between the human race and aliens by comparing them to this scene.
Finally: The feel of the film is genuine. It is creepy, dreary, and just plain well done. The music is one aspect which dates it, but it remains an essential part of the experience, creating a feel of urgency, depression and eeriness, as if it knows the end of the world is near. One thing I will compare to this film in Spielberg's latest is the feeling of mass panic. While we do see people running and fleeing on an epic scale in both, in the latest, it feels all too convenient for a good action scene. In this version, it feels desperate and real.
Is it worth seeing after having the hype of the remake still present in our consciousness? Yes, considering two things: First, the remake pays homage to this film in a number of scenes, with some aspects that never appeared in the book (such as the nature of what happens in the basement scene). It's fun to go back and look at what originally gave Spielberg some of his ideas. Second, while everyone has their favorite S/F movie which they're biased towards, and this one is obviously mine, I still believe this is the most well-made piece of cinema depicting a hostile alien invasion ever to come out of the fifties and sixties. I still look at the effects and am amazed that it was made in 1953. It's a rare thing when watching a 1950's science fiction movie and the word "cheesy" pops up in my head fewer than three times.