When Worlds Collide (1951)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Rudolph Maté

Writers:

Edwin Balmer (novel)
Sydney Boehm (writer)

Release Date:

August 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Romance! Thrills! Adventure!

Plot:

As a new star and planet hurtle toward a doomed Earth, a small group of survivalists frantically work to complete the rocket which will take them to their new home.

Plot Keywords:

Planet | Astronomer | Rocket | Doomed | Dance Band

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Richard Derr	...	David Randall
Barbara Rush	...	Joyce Hendron
Peter Hansen	...	Dr. Tony Drake
John Hoyt	...	Sydney Stanton
Larry Keating	...	Dr. Cole Hendron
Rachel Ames	...	Julie Cummings (as Judith Ames)
Alden 'Stephen' Chase	...	Dr. George Frye (as Stephen Chase)
Frank Cady	...	Harold Ferris
Hayden Rorke	...	Dr. Emery Bronson
Sandro Giglio	...	Dr. Ottinger

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Portuguese | Spanish

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:G (rating) | Netherlands:AL

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The rocket was designed by space artist Chesley Bonestell.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At the UN, Dr. Hendron states that "The effects of Zyra's passing will be felt about 1:00 PM on July 24", and that "Bellus will crush the Earth on the morning of August 12." In which time zone will these deadlines occur? And, for that matter, on which side of the International Date Line?

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: [spoken over a shot of outer space] Needles in a heavenly haystack. There are more stars in the heavens than there are human beings on Earth. Through telescopes men of science constantly search the infinitesimal corners of our solar system seeking new discoveries, hoping to better understand the laws of the Universe. Observatories dedicated to the study of astronomy are set in high and remote places, but there is none more remote than Mt. Kenna Observatory in this part of South Africa.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Sky Is Falling: Making 'The War of the Worlds' (2005) (V)

Excellent doomsday film

Considering when the film was made, it far surpasses action-packed, bloated-FX monstrosities like INDEPENDENCE DAY and ARMAGEDDON. George Pal gives us a convincing story with good FX. The theme of the plot is unusually profound for a sci-fi film, and it is handled with both humor and dignity.

Altruism and selfishness vie in the face of doomsday as the full range of human nature is displayed by a capable cast. Despite what may appear now to be a few creaky bits of movie magic, this film has a punch to it that many of the slicker films lack. It has stood the test of a half-century and is still touching and enjoyable.