The War of the Worlds (2019)
Director: Craig Viveiros
Starring: Eleanor Tomlinson, Rafe Spall, Robert Carlyle
Unique Angle: A three-episode miniseries that stays in Victorian-era England, focusing on themes of colonialism and societal decay.
Checklist Comparison
| Checklist Item | Included? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tripods | ✅ Yes | The tripods are faithful to the original, with towering, mechanical movements. |
| Tentacled Martians | ✅ Yes | The Martians are depicted as tentacled beings, true to Wells’ description. |
| Red Weed | ✅ Yes | The red weed spreads across the landscape, symbolizing the Martians’ impact on Earth. |
| Black Smoke | ✅ Yes | The Martians use black smoke as a weapon, effectively capturing its terrifying nature. |
| Heat Ray | ✅ Yes | The heat ray is present and devastating, showcasing the Martians’ superior technology. |
| Snatching and Feeding on Humans | ✅ Yes | The Martians are shown harvesting and using humans as sustenance. |
| Humming Sound | ✅ Yes | The tripods emit an eerie, humming sound, adding to the atmosphere of dread. |
| The Curate | ✅ Yes | The Curate is present, representing religious fanaticism and despair. |
| The Artilleryman | ✅ Yes | The Artilleryman is included, with his delusions of rebuilding society portrayed. |
| Martians Destroyed by Microorganisms | ✅ Yes | The Martians succumb to Earth’s microorganisms, as in the original. |
| Historical Setting | ✅ Yes | The series remains true to the Victorian-era England setting. |
| Societal Collapse | ✅ Yes | The series effectively depicts societal breakdown, panic, and human desperation. |
| No Human Victory | ✅ Yes | Humanity does not defeat the Martians; their defeat is a result of natural causes. |
| Atmosphere of Horror and Helplessness | ✅ Yes | The series captures the overwhelming sense of dread and humanity’s powerlessness. |
| Thunder Child (Naval Resistance) | ⚠️ Sort of | While a military response is depicted, it is not as prominent as the Thunder Child scene in the book. |
Observations and Analysis
Strengths:
- The Victorian setting and period-accurate details are faithful to Wells’ original vision.
- Key elements, such as the tripods, red weed, black smoke, and heat ray, are accurately depicted.
- The series explores themes of colonialism and societal collapse, adding depth to the story.
Weaknesses:
- The pacing across three episodes can feel uneven, with some stretches of the story dragging.
- Certain creative choices, such as extended focus on the protagonist’s relationships, deviate from the book’s emphasis on the invasion.
Creative Deviations:
- The series emphasizes the consequences of colonialism, drawing parallels between the Martian invasion and humanity’s imperialist history.
- Greater attention is given to character backstories and relationships, which adds emotional weight but diverges from the book’s narrative style.
Faithfulness Rating
Faithful
This adaptation captures the core elements and themes of The War of the Worlds while adding new layers of commentary and character development.
Verdict
The 2019 BBC miniseries is a mostly faithful adaptation of The War of the Worlds, staying true to the Victorian setting and key elements of the story. While it adds modern thematic commentary and focuses more on relationships, it remains a compelling and visually stunning interpretation of H.G. Wells’ classic.