The Top 14 Pendragon Quotes

[Lensman]

The Top 14 Pendragon Pictures Quotes

collected by "Lensman"

Note nothing on this list was made up. Sources for all quotes are documented below.

14. "...Dark Horse's... guys are experts at converting film frames into comic books. I was astounded at the degree of similarity between our production and their comic book... We believe its [sic] just theft of our artist's hard work--plain and simple, and we won't let this stand." --Tim Hines, Pendragon press release, 26 July 2006

13. "H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds" is an instant masterpiece... --Sales website for Pendragon's DVD

12. ...producer Susan Goforth told [SF Crowsnest.com] "Every period detail has been painstakingly and carefully researched over the last three years as we developed the project." Co-producer John Gallo added, "Timothy wanted everything to be right, as the fans' expectations are enormous. Like Peter Jackson with Lord of the Rings, Timothy is a deep fan of The War Of The Worlds... But it was worth it. In the end, Tim's vision proved to be right. The movie is detail perfect." --SF Crowsnest.com, 4 September 2004

11. "The [fighting machine] tentacles were made to look like chain links as they were described by Wells." --Tim Hines, Fan Q & A, at Pendragon's website. [Actually Wells' description, from Book 1, Chapter 10 of the novel, is "articulate ropes of steel". --Lensman]

10. [Question: Why didn't we get to see "The War of the Worlds" in theaters?] "...there was much of fear of reprisal from Paramount.... Many people have told me that Paramount people threatened them not to do business or stories on us." --"Fan Q & A with Timothy Hines" at Eve of the War.com, 27 June 2005

9. According to Hines... certain parties they were associated with actually began giving them advice that... seemed designed to sabotage the project... Hines says... "So we... shut [that] associate out." Pendragon proceeded to very quietly... move into production... Unfortunately, their former associate found out about the production... "Within three days," Hines remembers with a laugh, "Tom Cruise stops making 'Mission Impossible 3', Steven Spielberg drops the other production he was going to do... and they're suddenly going to fast track their 'War of the Worlds' [into production]. Now, one can say that this is all coincidence and that we're just paranoid. At the same time, if we are paranoid, we're not harming anyone." --CFQ magazine, April-May 2005

8. "...we turned to the world's greatest undiscovered talent. For the main protagonist we auditioned twelve hundred and, ironically, found him in our own back yard in the form of Anthony Piana... I believe Anthony is the next Al Pacino." --Tim Hines as quoted on SF Crowsnest.com, 4 September 2004

7. [Question: Have you had to deviate in any way from the original book?] "No. We have had to deviate in no way whatsoever. Everyone involved worked tirelessly on every level to bring Wells' novel to the screen with every detail intact. Nor were any of Wells' meanings or subtext lost." --"Exclusive Timothy Hines Interview" at War of the Worlds Online.com

6. He [Hines] amassed forty-two million dollars in production funds, then went to Hollywood. Suddenly, film stars such as Tom Cruise, Michael Caine and Charlize Theron became curious about his project... USA Films, the distribution arm of the USA Network, which also owns the Sci-Fi Channel, will distribute both movies ["The War of the Worlds" and "Chrome"]. --Animation Reporter magazine, June-July 2003

5. "...if people think we're making some straight-to-DVD thing, they're going to be stunned when they see what we've done." --Tim Hines as quoted on Scifi Dimensions.com, November 2004

4. [Question: What do you think of Asylum's "The War of the Worlds" project?] "We researched them a bit and found some very strange things. Their version stars C. Thomas Howell who was in "E.T." and was the star of "The Outsiders", in which Tom Cruise played a supporting role... The only studio distributor connected to Asylum is Paramount and one of the people from their company keeps his offices on the Paramount lot. A lot of strange connections to Paramount. What does all this mean? I don't know. Maybe it is like the Lincoln/Kennedy comparisons. I'll have to leave it up to the conspiracy theorists. Still, it is a lot of coincidences." --"Q & A with Director Timothy Hines" at Eve of the War.com, 26 June 2005

3. Test audiences have reacted with strong emotions ranging from tears to triumphant. "I'm not surprised at the powerful reaction to the movie from our test groups," says Hines. "...That people have shown they are moved by the movie says we got it right." --Pendragon Pictures press release, 25 March 2005

2. "...our [visual] effects are going to look as good as if not better than what you see on Star Trek, for instance. Our film, at its best, comes off as visually assured as ‘The Matrix'." --Tim Hines as quoted on Hollywood- Elsewhere.com, February 2005

And the #1 Pendragon Pictures quote:

1. "... my film is gorgeous. I cry every day at how well it's coming together." --Tim Hines as quoted on Hollywood- Elsewhere.com, February 2005

-------------------------------------------------------------

DOCUMENTATION OF SOURCES

14. Pendragon Pictures press release, 26 July 2006:
biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060726/sfw063.html?.v=71

13. Sales website for Pendragon's "H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds" DVD:
www.thewaroftheworldsmovie.net/

12. "Spielberg beaten to War of the Worlds by secretly shot English rival",
SF Crowsnest.com, 4 September 2004:
www.computercrowsnest.com/sfnews2/04_sept/news0904_9.shtml

11. Director Timothy Hines talks H.G. WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, from Pendragon's website:
www.pendragonpictures.com/WOTWQA.html

10. "Fan Q & A with Timothy Hines" at Eve of the War.com, 27 June 2005:
www.eveofthewar.co.uk/content/view/382/85/

9. "A War over Worlds", CFQ magazine, April-May 2005, p. 68

8. "Spielberg beaten to War of the Worlds by secretly shot English rival",
SF Crowsnest.com, 4 September 2004:
www.computercrowsnest.com/sfnews2/04_sept/news0904_9.shtml

7. "Exclusive Timothy Hines Interview" at War of the Worlds Online.com:
www.waroftheworldsonline.com/features/interviewhines.htm

6. "Chrome Plated Machines--‘War of the Worlds' and ‘Chrome'", Animation Reporter magazine, issue #6, June-July 2003, page 29. Scan posted at:
www.waroftheworldsmovienews.com/Animation5.html

5. "Interview: Timothy Hines", Scifi Dimensions.com, November 2004
www.scifidimensions.com/Nov04/timothyhines.htm

4. "Q & A with Timothy Hines", Eve of the War.com, 26 June 2005:
tinyurl.com/kazm7

3. Pendragon Pictures press release, 25 March 2005:
www.eveofthewar.com/articles/6472

2. "Strange Invaders", Hollywood-Elsewhere.com, February 2005:
www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/archives/2005/02/strange_invader.php

1. "Strange Invaders", Hollywood-Elsewhere.com, February 2005:
www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/archives/2005/02/strange_invader.php

[mctoddridesagain]

Brilliant! Good work keeping up with all these quotes over the years, Lensman! This needs to go in a proper article on the main site, IMHO. A lot of people (i.e. the general public and lazy showbiz journos) won't necessarily see it buried away on a forum (no disrespect intended).

[David Faltskog]

"Test audiences have reacted with strong emotions ranging from tears to triumphant"

Tear's of laughter no doubt!

I,ve seen the Hinez Baked Beans version (thank's Poyks!) and it's everything everyone on here and other forums say...Crap!

Great list Lensman.

D.F.

[mctoddridesagain]

10. "The [Fighting-Machine] tentacles were made to look like chain links...

I've never seen a chain that looks like a string of sausages.

Lensman, I think you should post your list on other forums (fora?) - the Word must be spread!

[Lensman]

Well now that I've finally finished the thing, I can make snarky comments on it.

lensman said:

"Now, one can say that this is all coincidence and that we're just paranoid."

Okay: This is all coincidence and you're just paranoid.

lensman said:

"I believe Anthony is the next Al Pacino."

But does Al Pacino believe he's the next Anthony Piana? (I'm guessing "No.")

lensman said:

"We have had to deviate in no way whatsoever. Everyone involved worked tirelessly on every level to bring Wells' novel to the screen with every detail intact."

Well, other than leaving out the Black Smoke, and most of "Dead London", and much of the Artilleryman's rantings in "The Man on Putney Hill", and all the chaotic mob scenes, and the ongoing depiction of the gradual breakdown of society, and the sailors on the Thunder Child, and... and... oh, nevermind.

lensman said:

film stars such as Tom Cruise, Michael Caine and Charlize Theron became curious about his project...

Now I have to hand it to Hines here: If you parse this *very* carefully, it doesn't actually say that those *specific* movie stars became curious about his project, it just says film stars such as...

lensman said:

USA Films, the distribution arm of the USA Network, which also owns the Sci-Fi Channel, will distribute both movies

I'm sure that will come as a surprise to USA Films.

lensman said:

"We researched [Asylum] a bit and found some very strange things. Their version stars C. Thomas Howell who was in "E.T." and was the star of "The Outsiders", in which Tom Cruise played a supporting role..."

Oh, are we playing "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?"

lensman said:

"Maybe it is like the Lincoln/Kennedy comparisons. I'll have to leave it up to the conspiracy theorists."

Next time you're looking for a really *big* conspiracy theorist, try looking in the nearest mirror.

lensman said:

Test audiences have reacted with strong emotions ranging from tears to triumphant.

I'm guessing: Tears when told they were locked in for the duration of the three-hour film, and triumphant when they were finally allowed to leave?

lensman said:

"Our film, at its best, comes off as visually assured as ‘The Matrix'."

Oh, is "The Matrix" the title of one of your student films? 'Cuz you're obviously *not* talking about the films starring Keanu Reeves...

lensman said:

"I cry every day at how well it's coming together."

Well, you've certainly succeeded in bringing tears to the eyes of many WotW fans!

[Lensman]

mctoddridesagain said:

Brilliant! Good work keeping up with all these quotes over the years, Lensman!

Thank you! Considering your top-notch work on such articles as the Thunder Child FAQ and your recent response to Pendragon's charges of plagiarism by Dark Horse, that's rare praise indeed!

mctoddridesagain said:

This needs to go in a proper article on the main site, IMHO. A lot of people (i.e. the general public and lazy showbiz journos) won't necessarily see it buried away on a forum (no disrespect intended).

Naturally I would be flattered if the mods here wanted to post my article prominantly. However, I'm not sure they'll want something so negative posted "officially".

[EvilNerfherder]

Nice article, Lensman.

''Naturally I would be flattered if the mods here wanted to post my article prominantly. However, I'm not sure they'll want something so negative posted "officially".''

That would be up to Rob as it is his site and, as we have no financial backing or incoming revenue here whatsoever (despite what some might think), he might say no for obvious reasons. I shall put it to him.
As far as I am concerned, though, the articles are fine here on the public boards as they offer balanced answers to the views offered by Tim Hines... by real fans. In fact, whilst amusing, most of the extra comments aren't even necessary to us who have been in the community over the past few years. The actual things that Tim said then stand up on their own as comedic.

[Topaz]

Attributed to Timothy Hines: ""We researched them a bit... The only studio distributor connected to Asylum is Paramount ..."

Ummmm... Asylum is a distributor, or is so credited on the IMDB entry for the movie associated with their name.

As with many of the other quotes discussing 'research', I have some reservations about how in-depth that research really was.

I have to say this whole episode is very saddening, especially when I think of the unfortunates that invested their own money in the project. Without making any accusations beyond questioning the competency of those involved in the movie's production, it's hugely disappointing that the promises that were made were so very far from what was actually delivered.

[FALLINGSTAR]

It's amazing how one man can talk such sheer pap. If I was promoting my own film I'd obviously try and sell it to the masses but the last thing I'd do is build up such unrealistic expectations that people would end up disappointed. I find it strange how Hines thought it was acceptable to say things like -"my film is gorgeous I cry everyday at how well it's coming together". I mean who in their right mind would say something like that - except for a 10 year old messing about with dads video camera. A quote like that is obviously going to be pounced on by people and constantly recycled. Bizzare!

[Lensman]

Fallingstar mentioned a quote I thought was worth adding to the list, so I've bumped the number of quotes up by one. It's #5 in case you're wondering.

Thanks, Fallingstar!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now I get to add another snarky comment:

lensman said:

"...if people think we're making some straight-to-DVD thing, they're going to be stunned when they see what we've done."

Well Timbo was half right-- I was *indeed* stunned when I saw what they'd done!

[Commandingtripod]

And now I get to add another snarky comment:

lensman said:

"...if people think we're making some straight-to-DVD thing, they're going to be stunned when they see what we've done."

Well Timbo was half right-- I was *indeed* stunned when I saw what they'd done!

LOL add me in there too.

[FALLINGSTAR]

lensman said:

Fallingstar mentioned a quote I thought was worth adding to the list, so I've bumped the number of quotes up by one. It's #5 in case you're wondering.

Thanks, Fallingstar!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now I get to add another snarky comment:

lensman said:

"...if people think we're making some straight-to-DVD thing, they're going to be stunned when they see what we've done."

Well Timbo was half right-- I was *indeed* stunned when I saw what they'd done!

No probs. I've got my uses!

[Thunder Child]

What about this one? ;D

The Principals of Pendragon Pictures announce the push back of the theatrical release date of H.G. WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS from March 30th, 2005 to late April with the exact date yet to be announced. "The push back is due entirely to production," states director Timothy Hines. "I've worked for seven year on this film and as the release deadline approached I was faced with a very simple choice, rush the picture or push the release date back and do the movie right." Hines is unapologetic about the push back. "This was absolutely the right thing to do. My picture, H.G. WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is an epic with thousands of special effects. It would have been absurd to cut scenes or rush effects when the movie was so close to completion. The thousands of fan letters that pour in every week reflect that this decision is correct and in the end it was the only way to go. Nobody remembers that some episodes of STAR WARS have been up to a year late, that Francis Ford Coppola, Kubrick and many other directors have routinely missed deadliness to get their picture right. H.G. WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is all we hoped it would be and more." A few private test screenings have brought overwhelmingly positive responses.

[richardburton]

lol The bare-faced cheek of the man to mention Coppola and Kubrick in the same conversation as his 'film'.

[Lensman]

Yup, that's as "good" as, or "better" than, several on my list. ;D

[richardburton]

I "totally" agree

[nervouspete]

Tch, Timbo didn't mention Terrance Malik. He takes ages to make a film. And they often involve lots of walking.

'Thousands' of special effects, 'thousands of fan letters' (not emails, remarkably) and his belief that he is alongside the cinema greats by dint of being delayed (how many delays did Ed Wood suffer?) is one long, rich seam of comedy hyperbole.

[Spirit of Man]

Excellent list, more entertaining than............ and takes less than 3 hours to read, thankyou

[MarkG]

'Thousands' of special effects

To be fair, there probably are thousands of effects in Hines' version if you count each green screen shot and color change individually... it's just they're not very special effects. In fact, 'absolutely terrible effects' would be a more accurate description.

[Lensman]

Yeppers, I've seen direct quotes from FX artists who say when a reporter asks them for the "number" of FX shots in a movie, they just throw out a large number. How do you count them? Is each animated blaster bolt in a separate frame a separate FX? Does a composite model shot count as one; or do you count the model shot, matte frame, reverse matte holdout, and star background separately, meaning it's 4 FX shots, not including any added elements such as lights, explosions, flame effects, light flare effects, or blaster bolts/ photon torpedoes/ Heat Ray FX/ whatever? There's no "rule book" for how these are counted. So statements about how many FX shots are in a movie are essentially meaningless.