War of the Worlds: Analyzing the Asylum Film Adaptation
Adapting a timeless classic like H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds requires a delicate balance between honoring the source material and introducing fresh creative elements. In the version produced by The Asylum, director and co-writer David Michael Latt took a distinct approach. While Latt has been a lifelong fan of the original novel, he intentionally diverged from previous cinematic interpretations, creating a version that reimagines the invaders and the human struggle for survival.
Key Facts
- Director: David Michael Latt.
- Invaders: Insect-like Martians with four tentacle-like legs and acid-spitting capabilities.
- War Machines: Six-legged "walkers" equipped with a single-eye Heat Ray.
- Protagonist: George Herbert, an astronomer (a nod to H.G. Wells).
- Biological Weapon: A dense green toxic gas that remains at ground level.
- Ending: Consistent with the novel, the invaders succumb to infection.
Reimagining the Martian Invaders
While the film suggests the invaders are Martians through opening shots of the Red Planet, their physical appearance differs significantly from Wells' description of bear-sized tentacled creatures. The Asylum's Martians are insect-like, featuring four tentacle-like legs capable of spitting a corrosive acid that melts through obstacles. Interestingly, the appendages at the end of these legs serve as a visual homage to the Martian fingers seen in the 1953 film and the 1988 television series.
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The Evolution of the War Machines
The iconic tripods of the novel are replaced by six-legged, crab-like machines termed walkers. These machines utilize a Heat Ray fired from a single eye located in the "head." Unlike the versions seen in the 1953 or 2005 films, these walkers lack invisible shields, leaving them vulnerable to modern artillery—a detail that leaves their strategic dominance somewhat unexplained.
Additionally, the film replaces the novel's "black smoke" with a dense green toxic gas. Because this gas cannot rise above ground level, survivors are able to escape the lethal fumes by seeking higher ground.
Character Shifts and Narrative Changes
The film introduces George Herbert as the protagonist. While the novel's lead is a writer, Herbert is an astronomer. The film also streamlines the plot by removing the "eve of the war" storyline and its associated characters. George is accompanied by his son (played by Dashiell Howell), adding a familial emotional core to the survival narrative.
Despite these changes, George's arc mirrors the novel's protagonist: he is separated from his family, struggles to reunite with them, and eventually sacrifices himself to the Martians, only for the creatures to die from infection. However, the film introduces a new plot point where George actively attempts to find a way to stop the invaders, though his direct role in their downfall remains ambiguous.
Supporting Roles and Archetypes
Several characters from the novel are split or reimagined to fit the film's structure:
- The Artilleryman: This role is divided between Kerry Williams, who represents the defeatist spirit, and Lt. Samuelson.
- The Curate: Reimagined as Victor, a priest. While he initially views the invasion as the Rapture (the biblical gathering of believers), his faith is tested by the suffering of his congregants. Unlike the novel's Curate, Victor maintains his composure and regains his faith before his death.
- The Brother: In the novel, the narrator's brother is a major character; in the film, George's brother is a Ranger who is killed early in the invasion.
Comparison of Source Material and Adaptation
| Feature | Original Novel | The Asylum Film |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist's Profession | Writer | Astronomer |
| Machine Design | Tripods (3 legs) | Walkers (6 legs) |
| Chemical Weapon | Black Smoke | Green Toxic Gas |
| Alien Appearance | Bear-sized tentacles | Insect-like with 4 legs |
| Climax | Death by infection | Death by infection |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the "walkers" differ from the original tripods?
The walkers are six-legged, crab-like machines, whereas the original novel features three-legged tripods. Additionally, the walkers lack the protective shields found in other film adaptations.
Who is George Herbert in the film?
George Herbert is the protagonist and an astronomer. His name is a reference to the author H.G. Wells, and his journey of separation and survival mirrors the narrator of the original book.
What is the significance of the green gas?
The green toxic gas is the film's version of the "black smoke." Its primary narrative function is that it stays low to the ground, allowing characters to survive by climbing to high elevations.
How does the character of Victor differ from the novel's Curate?
While both are men of faith, Victor is more composed than the Curate. He experiences a crisis of faith after witnessing the grief of a congregant but ultimately regains his belief before he is killed.
Does the film follow the novel's ending?
Yes, the film preserves the scientific irony of the original story, where the technologically superior Martians are defeated by earthly infections.