Opinion-War Of The Worlds Series 1 Ep 2: This Is No Day At The Beach

Story line: Much has to be said about the overall plotting and unfolding drama on display in this episode, despite some changes from the text, some good and some bad. There is an almost perfect visualization of the ‘massacre of mankind’ as portrayed by the shell-shocked rabble leaving London via Tower Bridge. Not to mention the huge scale depiction of the Dunkirk style beach evacuation, grand in scope and realization. However I still have my misgivings it has to be said. There have been several changes to the original novel which have garnered mixed responses from many fans so far. For me most of the changes, in comparison to other adaptations before it, are more subtle in terms of deviation and even logical in some places. Writer and executive producer Peter recently explained in an interview in THE EXPRESS, that when a novel is as well known and documented as this one it becomes necessary to add a few surprises, such as the inclusion of Amy as second protagonist. This is something absent from the book, which not only underplayed the female character, be it due to Wells inability to emote with the female aspect or his need to hone in on the narrator as focus. As mentioned in my REVIEW OF THE LAST EPISODE not only does this new version tally with the life of the writer himself, but also makes some sense in terms of modern day storytelling, with the heightened threat and doubts about the couple being able to find each other again, which does work in terms of motivation and relating to the characters and their losses.

In the interview he also discussed further changes regarding the extended nature of the future red world. In this case I agree with the sentiment, although not the way it is slotted into the narrative. I’m not overall an impatient person when it comes to plotting and storytelling, but even I am aware that given the three hour platform, attempting to squeeze in this more elaborate and far reaching future aspect was slightly over stretching the bounds of pacing. And to keep placing it in the most inconvenient stages was frustrating. It offered nothing in terms of underpinning the goings on at the current stage and only added to the confusion. As well as already informing the viewer that the couple would again be split up after only just reuniting them.

Writing: Not only did this make little sense, but the further twist of having the assembled survivors stranded in a derelict building and dangerously close to being discovered by a stray Martian just adds unnecessary carriages to a train that should by now be coming full steam ahead to it’s final destination. And though I believe this adaptation to be more faithful in some aspects, I am beginning to be disheartened and unconvinced as to how this development and the future aspect is going to tie together, let alone relate to the source material. However I did like the scripting overall. This not only touched on the Imperialistic attitude far overestimating a possible threat, but also involved the politicians petulantly ignoring Amy’s dire warnings and having her observations translated by a man. This did underpin the completely misogynistic attitude prevalent at the time, which also ties in to the British Imperialistic way of thinking. Thanks to the turning of the century both were in the waning stages and would soon become severely tested and challenged by both overseas wars and Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragette movement.

Production: The costume department have done some stunning work in the inner city scenes, faithfully depicting the dress of the gathered masses as they flee the destruction, completely unprepared for the attack. On top of the visual realization of the town of Woking as George and the Artilleryman scrabble to hide in the ruins from the Tripod. Also the special effects are of high quality in the battle in the woodlands, coupled with the inner city slaughter and arrival of the Tripods into their position of superiority. The real ‘Masters of Warfare’ announcing themselves as man declares the title is his alone and quickly shifting to the desolate future that totally declares in no uncertain terms that the misguided beliefs of mankind are in keeping with the authors intended message. And a major feather in the cap of the production team is the Dunkirk style beachhead evacuation, where I hoped to see the arrival of the Thunderchild, but I will forego my disappointment as in its place we got the impressive Heat Ray!!! Unlike the over showy electrifying movie versions this looks decidedly understated, almost invisible. Exactly as written in the novel I might add. And its impact is without doubt far more devastating. And for me less is more. Almost gaseous in appearance the sound and fury are no less impressive.

Music: The music also plays a part in these most harrowing scenes in the episode. From the discordant thrum as Amy follows the masses out of London to the evacuation on the beach and the way it switches from dramatic threat of attack to hopeful possibility of escape and then back again as the realization hits the Tripods will not be beaten, it all plays a key role in drawing out the mood. No less in the red hued future world where the mournful strings are drawing on the emotional impact of the desolation of the scenes. As well as the oppressive isolation of the finale.

Acting: Some of the more standout performances for me are actually the minor characters in the penultimate episode. Mrs Elphinstone is seen as in the novel, as the outsider dragged along during the escape from the Martian attack. And played admirably by Susan Wooldridge, as she helps underpin the feeling of desperation and pluck in the simple act of taking small comfort in a cup of water whilst leaving her home and trappings of what is obviously a life of privilege. The brief appearance by Harry Melling as the Artilleryman was also an interesting one, which garnered mixed emotions in my household. Initially it served to discombobulate me after watching this on the back of His Dark Materials and seeing him pinned by Armoured Bear Iorek Byrnison less than an hour before. But also seeing Dudley Dursley so completely changed physically was a great surprise. Beginning with his rousing performance, clearly displayed symptoms of PTSD, through his anguish at the stranded baby, to standing as the voice of hope and promise of mankind’s assured victory was perfectly toned to his novelized counterpart. Sadly this failed to reassure me as to the accuracy to the book as his final scene ended in his being horribly burnt, even if not hinting at his evaporation. Almost confirming he won’t be returning for the conversation with George about man’s return to glory underground, thus I lost a little hope as to seeing that thread being utilised…. Though this idea is hinted at later by the understated Nicholas Le Prevost as the pompous Chamberlain, shortly before his own ambiguously haunting demise.
This saving of mankind by his own hand was of course a turn of events Wells would not allow under any circumstances. To give the overall message more impact the ultimate defeat of the enemy had to come from microbes smaller than man and Martian alike. Unlike the novelized sequel ‘Edison’s Conquest of Mars’ penned in 1898 by American author Garrett P Serviss, in which he ensured we turned the tables on the Martians. Which was not only an unauthorized sequel, but also completely undermined the message of the novel and served only to misunderstand the premise entirely. This thankfully was not the mistake made here, and follows through to the overall unfolding tragedy set out by Wells. And everyone from Rafe and Harry scrabbling into hiding places to Eleanor, Nicholas and Rupert escaping into the tunnels from the Black Smoke made for a believable plight, adjacent to Wells intended outcome.
This is thankfully in keeping with the truth of it all. As in Wells original novel the whole story here hinged on our historical notions of superiority and Wells wanted to make a point about mankind’s sheer insignificance. And the return of Ogilvy and the discussion with Amy did at least bring things back to a more centered and faithful voice, with his assertion that the end was not in fact a victory. And this is why I have hope, however diminished by the extraneous plotting, that things will return to an even keel before this is all over. I also predict that the errant George will be revealed as the man who penned the book his son is later seen reading in the future. And whatever is going on with the ending in the building as they rest up, trapped by the Martian, I hope things will resolve themselves in at least a dramatic way and not stray too much further from the plan. And if they do it better be a good twist.