The War of the Worlds (1953) (Limited Edition SteelBook + 3D Lenticular Hardcase (4K + Blu-ray)) Review

The War of the Worlds (1953) – 4K Limited Edition SteelBook header

Synopsis: A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion.

Editing: Everett Douglas Music: Leith Stevens

Cast: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Robert Cornthwaite, Sandro Giglio, Lewis Martin

Director: Byron Haskin Writers: H. G. Wells (novel), Barré Lyndon (screenplay) Cinematography: George Barnes

Extras

Dolby Vision and HDR10
Remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Disc One — 4K UHD

Commentary by actors Ann Robinson and Gene Barry
Commentary by director Joe Dante, film historian Bob Burns, and Bill Warren (author of Keep Watching the Skies!)
The Sky Is Falling: Making The War of the Worlds
H. G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction
The Mercury Theatre On The Air presents The War of the Worlds radio broadcast
Original theatrical trailer
Optional English subtitles

Disc Two — Blu-ray

Audio commentary by film critics Barry Forshaw & Kim Newman
Audio commentary by Gene Barry and Ann Robinson
Audio commentary by “fans” Joe Dante, Bob Burns & Bill Warren
Original English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
The Sky Is Falling: Making War of the Worlds documentary
H. G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction featurette
The Mercury Theater on the Air Presents: The War of the Worlds (with stills of Orson Welles)
Theatrical trailer
Optional English subtitles

Everyone knows something about War of the Worlds, even if they don’t realise they do. But as someone who has never watched the original film adaptation of the famous H. G. Wells book, I was excited to sit down with this 4K restoration and newly remixed audio.

I’ve seen plenty of films that parody War of the Worlds, so parts felt almost familiar. I was most surprised by how different it is from the Steven Spielberg film; they’re entirely different beasts, products of their times. Although the core invasion remains the same, the post-WWII setting gives this version a vibe absent in the 2005 film, and there’s a simplicity not found in many modern sci-fi films.

There’s minimal character work outside the first 15–20 minutes. When what seems to be a meteorite crash-lands near a small California town, Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) is called in. Soon after, an alien ship bursts out from inside—just the first of many that attack Earth.

Unlike most modern sci-fi, there are no attempts at communication or debates about alien motivation. The UFOs arrive, they shoot, and the film gets on with it. At just 85 minutes, once the heat-rays start firing the pace flies, with an ending that’s surprisingly abrupt.

Having never owned prior releases, it’s hard to quantify the visual leap, but the movie looks fantastic here: fine jacket textures, legible lettering on small props, and effects work that impresses for the era. I most enjoyed the new 5.1 DTS mix—blasting laser-beam effects from the ships, clear dialogue, and tactile details like the grinding turn of the meteorite pod at the start.

Frame from The War of the Worlds 4K restoration

Diving into the special features, the selection feels a little light for such a premium package. The Sky Is Falling: Making The War of the Worlds is interesting but slight, and H. G. Wells: The Father of Science Fiction is a short but appreciative author profile. Including the original War of the Worlds radio broadcast by Orson Welles is a nice touch, however.

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Housed in a beautiful 3D lenticular case, the 4K SteelBook sports attention-grabbing yet simple artwork featuring the Martian war-machines on the front and a menacing hand reaching toward Ann Robinson on the reverse. A 44-page collector’s booklet showcases posters and promotional art from the original release alongside an essay on War of the Worlds’ influence on cinema and the rise of sci-fi monster movies.

Even without prior affection for the film, I’m glad my first viewing was via such a handsome technicolour restoration. As a collector’s package it’s excellent; it’s only the lack of new or more varied special features that keeps this from being the definitive War of the Worlds release.