True Adaptation Checklist

Not all War of the Worlds adaptations are created equal. This checklist breaks down the essential story elements, characters, and themes from H.G. Wells’ original novel to evaluate how faithfully each adaptation sticks to the source—and where they bring something new.

How faithful is your favorite adaptation of The War of the Worlds? From the red weed to the Martian tripods and beyond, let’s see how well each adaptation captures the essence of Wells’ vision!

Just looking for a list of War of the Worlds adaptations? We’ve got that here too!

Martian Invasion Essentials

Cylinders (Martian Landing Pods) – Are the Martians shown arriving in cylindrical spacecraft, as in the original?
Tripods – Are the Martian machines depicted as towering, three-legged structures?
Tentacles – Are tentacles shown, either as part of the Martians’ anatomy or built into their machines?
Red Weed – Does the adaptation feature the alien plant spreading across the land?
Black Smoke – Is the Martians’ chemical weapon included?
Heat Ray – Does the adaptation showcase the Martians’ devastating energy weapon?
Snatching and Feeding on Humans – Are the Martians shown harvesting humans for sustenance?
Martians Destroyed by Microorganisms – Is the climax true to the book, where the Martians succumb to Earth’s microbes?
Martian Intelligence – Do the Martians show evidence of advanced intellect, strategy, or cold logic beyond brute strength?

Essential Characters

The Narrator – Does the story include a central character observing and recounting the invasion? (Bonus: Does it explore their emotional or psychological arc?)
The Curate – Is there a religious or fanatical figure whose breakdown contrasts with the narrator’s survival instinct?
The Artilleryman – Is there a character with grand survivalist dreams, symbolizing human delusion and hope?
The Astronomer (e.g., Ogilvy) – Is there a character representing the initial scientific curiosity about the Martians?
The Brother (Secondary Perspective) – Is there a secondary character who offers a parallel journey or perspective on the invasion?
The Wife (Emotional Anchor) – Does the main character have a personal connection that adds emotional weight to their journey (e.g., spouse, partner, or family member)?

Atmosphere and Allegory

Appropriate Era & Setting – Does the adaptation retain the Victorian-era England setting, or update it in a way that preserves the story’s core themes, tone, and societal context?
Societal Collapse – Are there scenes of mass panic, migration, or humanity’s futile resistance?
No Human Victory – Does the story stay true to the theme that humanity does not defeat the Martians by its own means?
Atmosphere of Horror and Helplessness – Does the adaptation capture the dread and inevitability of the invasion?
Narrator’s Psychological Decline – Is the emotional and mental toll of the invasion portrayed, adding to the story’s grim tone and sense of despair?

Cinematic & Immersive Details

Martian Sounds – Are distinctive sounds used to emphasize the Martians’ presence, such as mechanical hums or alien cries?
Visuals of Red Weed and Black Smoke – Are these alien elements portrayed effectively to emphasize the Martian threat?
Heat Ray Effects – Is the heat ray visually or audibly impactful?
Desolate Landscapes – Are there haunting scenes of destruction, such as ruined towns, scorched earth, or abandoned homes?
Decay and Rot – Is the aftermath of the invasion depicted with rotting remains, dying red weed, or other signs of desolation?

Bonus Features

The Thunder Child (Naval Resistance) – Is there a depiction of a heroic military or naval last stand?
Adaptation-Specific Creativity – Does the adaptation introduce unique, original elements while remaining faithful to the spirit of the story?

Faithfulness Rating Scale

To clarify how we assign ratings to adaptations, here’s our working scale:

Rating	Definition
Faithful	Closely follows the core story, characters, and themes of H.G. Wells’ original novel. Minimal deviations.
Mostly Faithful	Keeps the essential elements and tone intact, but includes noticeable creative liberties or additions.
Loose Adaptation	Recognizably based on the novel but with major changes to setting, plot, or character roles.
Inspired By	Takes broad inspiration from War of the Worlds but significantly reimagines the story, structure, or premise.

Let’s see how these popular adaptations stack up to the original!