The War of the Worlds (1953)

Movie review by Carly Kocurek, Common Sense Media
The War of the Worlds (1953) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Some grisly and scary parts. Not for young 'uns.

NR 1953 85 minutes
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 13 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie is apocalyptic in its nature. The film deals with an attempt by Martians to invade and colonize the planet. Much of the film focuses on alien-on-human violence and the aliens' attempts to eliminate Earth's human occupants. There's a grisly off-screen murder. Characters drink and smoke.

Community Reviews

Speirto
Speirto Adult
January 27, 2019
age 8+

Fine for kids today

I watched this movie in the 70s when I was about 7. The alien ships scared me but not to the point of nightmares, if anything it left me a pretty solid fascination with outer space and science fiction. Now my 11 year old has seen it several times, he loves it and thinks, it's just as good if not better than the Tom Cruise version, pretty good that it can stand up to all of today's technology in movie making. The movie is campy, but those aliens are still creepy...You can't go wrong with a great retelling of an H. G. Wells story. There is some smoking, and violence, some folks get lasered away. There is a strong religious God rules all message as well, despite the Martians being obliterated by the science of bacteria and their lack of immunity, credit to the almighty was given. So some church vs science but most kids won't get that. All the folks and lifestyles are very America 1953, it's a time capsule of a film. I put an age 8 rating because of the violence.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Sircjalot
Sircjalot Adult
July 12, 2018
age 9+

A classic sci fi movie!

This was the first alien film on which the aliens are taking over the world. The graphics were amazing for the time, though of course it has aged, it still looks rather good compared to other sci fi movies at the time. It is fast paced and action packed, which is why I believe that War of the worlds aged so well. Though rated G, I would say in my opinion rated PG. The movie is rather intense!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When aliens touch down in sunny California, it's bad news for the planet -- especially when they start destroying cities and shooting at everything that moves. WAR OF THE WORLDS explores what might happen if some of our intergalactic neighbors proved less than friendly. The action starts when a strange meteor lands outside a small town. Noted scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) comes in to investigate and quickly teams up with Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson). When almost everyone returns to town for a square dance, the "meteor" opens up, revealing itself as an alien spaceship. The visitors quickly demonstrate they're not looking to make friends with the neighbors by killing the three men who try to greet them. What follows is the "war" of the title, as the human race tries to defend itself, and the alien visitors fly around zapping everything in sight.

Is It Any Good?

Although this original War of the Worlds has woefully dated production values, the movie really is top-notch when it comes to telling a story. The special effects, which were cutting-edge in 1953, now seem hokey, but for viewers who have an appreciation of older films, or who are interested in film history, this sci-fi classic is a must-see.

When Orson Welles did a radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, people thought aliens really were invading. While director Byron Haskin's film version is nowhere near as convincing, it's still a great example of the science fiction genre.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the "science" of this science-fiction film, particularly if some viewers have an interest in outer space. Other possible topics for discussion might include the film's Cold War historical context or the concept of colonization. How might the Martians' attempt to take over the entire planet compare to the empire-building of nation-states? Why don't the Martians attempt to communicate with the people of Earth?

Movie Details

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