Very odd experience - War of the Worlds

[Gentlegamer]

Simply astonishing!

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

You know, I had completely forgotten about that. My cousin had it when we were growing up, and we used to listen to it all the time.

 

[Wombat]

I heard this thing a couple of times due to a roommate who was deeply in love with all ProgRock.

My opinion ... ummm, the music existed...

 

[Andre]

I was completely baffled by that conversation. I liked the new War of the Worlds movie quite a lot, but I can see some criticisms made towards it that I at least think are plausible. That it's too divergent from the musical though--I never expected to hear that!

If you listen to Wayne's telling of the story (which includes a reasonably good musical score and outstanding narration by the incomparable Richard Burton), you may understand better what your friends were saying. And I don't think they meant it should have been a musical.

Wayne's version (which is much closer to Well's original story) has some excellent dramatic moments, doesn't include the dysfunctional Cruise family, and lacks many of the plot holes of the latest movie. I was very disappointed the movie did not include its own version of the Thunder Child scene, and the scene with the priest who lost faith. Tim Robbins' character was also "updated" in the movie, for the worse IMO. All in all, Wayne's version is just a better story.

 

[Desdichado]

Another odd comment on War of the Worlds--my mother-in-law didn't like the ending. However, given that the ending to War of the Worlds is one of my most famous endings ever to a piece of fiction--probably more famous even than Planet of the Apes--then I don't know exactly what she hoped they would do otherwise.

 

[Arnwyn]

the ending to War of the Worlds is one of my most famous endings ever

Scandal! HG Wells had a ghost-writer!

 

[Staffan]

Everything gets better when it's a musical. Sort of like the way every movie could be made better by adding T&A and ninjas.

 

[Meowzebub]

Roger Dean is the artist who did the great pics for the 'musical'. You may know his other art form Yes/Steve Howe/Asia album covers.

I had the Thunder Child scene framed on my dorm room wall many years ago. Very awesome graphic. I have the 'musical' on cd and listen to it on Halloween. THe music grates a little over time, but Richard Burton's performance keeps bringing me back.

 

[Ranes]

I have a weakness for prog rock but it doesn't extend to the War of the Worlds. I have to say though, JD, that I'd love to meet your mates. Thanks for that.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I've still got that on vinyl, and I must listen to it again (if I can find a record player!) I thought that the musical background to the story was excellent (e.g. the desolation of the red weed), and the pathos of Forever Autumn and Thunderchild was great.