Introduction

H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, also known as Invasion and H.G. Wells’ The Worlds in War internationally, or simply as War of the Worlds, is a direct-to-DVD science fiction horror film produced by The Asylum and directed by David Michael Latt.

It is a loose adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds, and a mockbuster of the DreamWorks/Paramount film based on the same source.

Outline

On the surface of Mars, the Mars Rover is destroyed by an unknown force. Astronomer George Herbert (Howell) and his wife Felicity (Van Wyk Loots) are packing for a trip to Washington D.C. to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. George’s son Alex tries to spot Mars through his telescope, but actually discovers a meteorite entering Earth’s atmosphere. George is called to work about the incident, and his wife and son leave early for Washington without him. As he drives to work, a crashing meteorite disrupts all technology in the area. An alien “walker” emerges from the meteorite and massacres the witnesses with an energy weapon, George barely escaping with his life. George decides to meet with his younger brother Matt in Hopewell before moving on to D.C..

Despite rumours that D.C. has suffered some of the worst of the invasion thus far, George continues his journey and meets with Sergeant Kerry Williams, the last remaining member of his squad. George and Kerry meet with Lieutenant Samuelson, a power-mad soldier with unrealistic notions of resistance against the invaders, who rejects George and Kerry as cowards. In Hopewell, the aliens launch a heavy insurrection and George and Kerry find Matt dying in the trail of destruction. George is separated from Kerry in the confusion and escapes the attack. A Pastor, Victor, finds George and describes his belief that the invasion is a form of the Rapture. The two go on together towards D.C.. Victor’s faith in Christianity is deeply shaken when a hysterical former member of his church curses God for the death of her young children. George and Victor witness the final effort of the military to fight off the walkers who are overwhelmed as the aliens begin using chemical weapons to disperse their opposition.

The two seek refuge in the abandoned house of a veterinarian for food and medical supplies when the neighbourhood is flattened by another of the aliens’ ships. Hiding in the house’s ruins deep in the aliens’ camp, Victor concludes that God has abandoned them, and rejects his religion altogether. Rations become sparse and the aliens begin harvesting humans. George finds rabies vaccines with the hope that it can spread among the aliens and give them a chance to escape. Victor regains his faith after George successfully infects one of the aliens, only for it to kill Victor and leave. George realises after a few days that the aliens have left the area and he continues his journey on foot to Washington D.C.. George reunites with Kerry and Samuelson, who has made himself a general and is building a resistance under his own dictatorship. Samuelson senselessly murders Kerry, and George in turn murders Samuelson.

George finally reaches Washington, which is completely destroyed. He offers his life to the aliens, but finds that they are all dead. A handful of human survivors emerge and reveal to George that the aliens have been dying from a virus. George finds Felicity and Alex alive.

The War of the Worlds Film, TV Series & Documentaries

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Production & Filming Details

• Director: David Michael Latt.
• Producer: David Rimawi.
• Writers: David Michael Latt and Carlos De Los Rios.
• Music: Ralph Rieckermann.
• Editor: David Michael Latt.
• Distributor: The Asylum.
• Release Date: 28 June 2005.
• Running Time: 90 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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