What would Wells do?

[quaderni]

Imagine Wells woke up from a long slumber (yes, its referential) to look at the movies coming out this summer. Given what we know of his social, aeshetic, and political views, how would he react the four films?

[alabaster]

That's a tough question to answer, Quaderni.

Wells was a socialist, and I think he would have been very cheesed off that his books' messages had not been heeded.

Personally I think he would not have approved of the Pendragon or Jeff Wayne versions, because he went to such great lengths to make his work as contemporary as possible. War of the Worlds is a book about the future, not the past.

If the Spielberg version adheres to his anti-imperialist message, then he probably would enjoy that the most. Since he was a stickler for scientific accuracy, he would have appreciated any attempts to make the Martians' origins more plausible.

[Charles]

I have no doubt, had Wells lived, he never would have sold off film and other rights as completely as Frank did. Though I should add Wells did sell the film rights for "Worlds" to Paramount in the '20s.

When it comes to interpreting H.G. Wells, context is key. Wells’ point was for the Martians to topple the Victorian social order – hardly the future when he wrote it - thereby allowing mankind (or at least the British – as they were the only country to suffer invasion) to reform their society along less complacent and competitive lines. Unless Spielberg is advocating the complete destruction of our current social order and revolution to Wells’ own Open Conspiracy self-styled socialism, I can’t see him being too excited about it. I moderated a “War of the Worlds” forum at ConQuest 36 last weekend and was surprised at the number of rolling eyes that met just the mention of Spielberg’s film. A surprising reaction from Fandom, I thought. I saw a trailer before Sith last week and thought it looked like fun.

But remember H.G. Wells was furious with Orson Welles’ update – even though Orson did a great job with the Artilleryman’s character. It was only because of the uproar and political fallout around the broadcast that his anger cooled. He was even more angry at the New England newspapers that serialized the Pearson’s story in 1897 and changed the invasion location to…America. As he said in so many words, it was not their story to change.

Would Wells have liked Wayne’s revision? Very doubtful. Would he like Pendragon’s version? Depends on how much the horror element dominates the production. I’ve read their screenplay, and though I cannot reveal specific details, I can say it is more faithful to the original text than any previous attempt made at filming a Wells novel. Often it is word for word. As someone who values the original serial and novel above all other incarnations, I found it very satisfying.

[quaderni]

holgerdanske said:

I have no doubt, had Wells lived, he never would have sold off the film and other rights as completely as Frank did.

Unless Spielberg is advocating the complete destruction of our current social order and revolution to Wells’ own Open Conspiracy self-styled socialism, I can’t see him being too excited about it. I moderated a “War of the Worlds” forum at ConQuest 36 last weekend and was surprised at the number of rolling eyes that met just the mention of Spielberg’s film. A surprising reaction from Fandom, I thought. I saw a trailer before Sith last week and thought it looked like fun.

But remember H.G. Wells was furious with Orson Welles’ update – even though Orson did a great job with the Artilleryman’s character. It was only because of the uproar and political fallout around the broadcast that his anger cooled. He was even more angry at the New England newspapers that serialized the Pearson’s story in 1897 and changed the invasion location to…America. As he said in so many words, it was not their story to change.

Would Wells have liked Wayne’s revision? Very doubtful. Would he like Pendragon’s version? Depends on how much the horror element dominates the production. I’ve read their screenplay, and though I cannot reveal specific details, I can say it is more faithful to the original text than any previous attempt made at filming a Wells novel. Often it is word for word. As someone who values the original serial and novel above all other incarnations, I found it very satisfying.

Charles,

Interesting comments on the Pendragon script. I sincerely hope that one day we'll get to see the film itself.

I had no idea that Wells was so upset about the Americanised Pearson's version. That's very damning. Something must be said for authorial integrity.

Apropos, I'll report the same anecdotes about Spielberg. When I saw the theater promo, two couples actually laughed at it. I found this bizarre: I've always loathed Spielberg's films, but I was just warming to the film and thinking it might be an interesting romp. I'm intrigued, also, because Spielberg has made so much of this film as a 'break'. From what, I wonder? So the negative reactions took me totally by surprise. But I'd be astonished if this film went the way of 'Pearl Harbor', one of the great summer 'blockbuster' flops of the past decade.

It will be interesting to see whether Spielberg has to courage to deal with the revolutionary and anti-imperialist themes in Wells's book.

[Carioca]

It occurrs to me (from seeing the trailers for the Spielberg film) that his version will be about the trials, trevails, and triumph of "every-man" Tom Cruise's character, rather than a political piece. What kind of a "piece" it turns out to be, will depend on the beholder, I suppose.

Cheers!
Carioca

PS: Actually, I'd prefer to think of Wells coming back in time, rather than the Rip Van-Winkle scenario! ;D

[David Faltskog]

I would like to see Mr Wells break open a big can of whoop-ass and kick Jeff Wayne's musical disco pants and Spielburger's flabby re-tread from here to Hull and back.

D.F.

[Poyks]

I think HGs response would be "tumultuous"!!

[Lensman]

Yes, well here's the irony: If Wells himself woke up and wrote a screenplay for WotW today, it almost certainly would *not* be set in Victorian England-- it would be most similar to the Spielberg production. Wells was interested in preaching to contemporary audiences, not in writing historical pieces. Yet contrariwise, if Wells strongly objected to the relatively small changes in the Orson Wells broadcast, it seems it's the historical piece that would result in the least complaint from Wells.

And despite his publication of "The Man of the Year Million" I don't think he was really that interested in scientific accuracy. For Wells, the "scientific romance" was just a vehicle to take his readers to the place he wanted them: To where he could preach his philosophical ideals. Remember, Verne took Wells to task for his decidedly non-scientific invention of "Cavorite" in The First Men in the Moon. For Wells, scientific accuracy was "Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative." (W.S. Gilbert, The Mikado)

holgerdanske said:

I moderated a “War of the Worlds” forum at ConQuest 36 last weekend and was surprised at the number of rolling eyes that met just the mention of Spielberg’s film. A surprising reaction from Fandom, I thought. I saw a trailer before Sith last week and thought it looked like fun.

I think the fans at the ConQuesT panel self-selected for those who want to see a period piece. And I think the reaction of the SF/F literary fans (who make up most of ConQuesT's membership) is that we're afraid of what Spielberg will do to our beloved novel! Spielberg has a history of "tinkering" with stories and putting his own stamp firmly on them.