Very solid review. One thing you didn't mention, which actually makes this a film I frequently watch around Christmas, are the opening scenes of Everytown set among the trappings of Christmas celebration. I think the film gives a nice time capsule of some of the then familiar sights and sounds (and toys) of pre-war England. All of this routine holiday cheer being set against the background drumbeat to war - which is very specifically highlighted in the mobilization montage. There are also some amazingly prescient images of WWII - which you should recall was still in the future for the people who were originally viewing this film. I'm particularly envisioning the fleets of aircraft flying over the White Cliffs of England's coast and futuristic tanks. All elements of the shape of things to come.
Also, please keep in mind: The world of Audio recordings for film and motion-picture had only been in use for 5 years when this movie was being made. It was hard for those early devices to capture the actors speaking their lines. And they found the most success in doing so, with actors who gave a 'Shakespearian' delivery of the dialog. This is why you hear the early film actors 'projecting' their spoken-words out loud as if they were performing in an Amphitheater. Movies with added soundtracks were still new to many of the audiences in 1935-1936.... and to the film-industry as a whole. Granted, they could have found a way to 'dub' their lines later in the studio... as most every movie produced is done today. But that bought on an added cost and time involved that they probably didn't want to burden the studio and the actors with at the time.
I really like your format and choice of segment titles, most movie reviewers don't talk about Empathy the way you do. I really appreciate you're inclusion and explanation in each review.
Great review. I've watched bits of this movie before (usually the last segment) and I've finally gotten around to watching the whole movie. Great concepts and special effects for the time. I wholeheartedly agree with the futurists' ideas about advancing mankind. Despite that, I have to say my favorite line in the film is, "We will hate you more if you succeed than if you fail." it's the same, sad refrain you hear from anyone trying to halt progress, whether it's people trying to halt stem cell research, halt space exploration or halt societal progress, but it stands out in the movie and echoes in my brain as a warning to be cautious of people trying to halt your progress.
Yep, we are just commenting on the film and the book, which didn't present the 2036 as a dictatorship. Thank you though for pointing Well's ideas for a perfect society.
Finally got around to watching this. It's pretty damn amazing for its time. I think it's the oldest film I have seen where male chauvinism is high-lighted and derided! Incredibly prescient vision of the London blitz in WWII and an interesting, if clumsy, analysis of progressivism vs conservatism on a societal level rather than political. Sadly, it seems we have learned nothing from films like this and Metropolis - we just look on them as quaint and naive as we go on to repeat the mistakes the movies made abundantly clear.
There's a version available as a bonus DVD with the British blu-ray of this film entitled The Virtual Extended Edit which reinstates around 30 minutes of cut and subsequently lost footage reconstructed using publicity stills and subtitles. A couple of these scenes make Wells' feminist leaning even more explicit with at one point Kalan (?) actually advocating for harems only to be figuratively shot down by another character.
Retro Nerd Girl got a detail right that I was about to correct. When the Chief dies at about 1:01:00, I thought he ate a bullet when the non-lethal gas killed no one else. Watching again, he has his monologue, then fires 6 rounds from his side arm while on camera, which I cannot quite make out, but likely held just the 6 rounds. I was sure he ate a bullet, but nope. On a slightly critical note, of Wells, not Nerd Girl, we have the false assumption that if we just need smarter people in charge (scientists and engineers running a world government). Wells was a STEM guy with a chip on his shoulder from an insecure lower middle class childhood. He wanted people who reminded him of himself to be in charge...not the first to make that mistake. Our politicians are 9/10 lawyers by trade, but if you replace them with STEM people, they will be no more ethical AND less capable of conflict resolution thru negotiating among factions. Ethics and intelligence do not correlate at all. Look at the occasional medical doctor politician. There are a few good ones and several real wackadoos.
I like that you mentioned the dramatic looking cities like that in Logan's Run. I have always been an admirer of the cool architecture in scifi & fantasy movies. There have even been some imaginative proposals in the real world such as Paolo Soleri's "Arcology" and Jacque Fresco's "Venus Project", as well as the buildings like John Portman's Bonaventure Hotel in LA, and the whole gamut of daring architects like Frank Gehry, Eric Moss, Zaha Hadid, Thom Mayne & Wolf Prix. Radical architecture may not be the most ideal in a practical sense, so I might be attracted to it only in pursuit of Beauty; but to actually enjoy nice places like that is few and far between anyway. I usually gravitate toward public gardens like the Huntington Garden in San Marino, CA, and I try to visit famous gardens when traveling, especially the Japanese and Chinese gardens. Regarding progress and technology, I believe that we know high technological accomplishments are possible because of all the eye-witness reports of UFO's that display unique anti-gravity ability. But I am constantly perplexed by the new pitfalls that arise for each new promising technology, such as the nuclear waste problem, the microwave radiation problem, and resource depletion. Even LED lights are somewhat damaging to the eye and sleep ability, as well as lacking the psychological feeling of warmth that a fire or incandescent light bulb might offer. Also, an environmental, sustainable way of living is vitally important, and I believe knowledge will guide us; but we need to be careful about the pitfalls of technology and, most crucially, the detriments of tyranny and corruption on our way forward. (I am frankly interested in how the UFO aliens accomplish what they have done, assuming they are not fraught with a radiation poisoning problem.)
There's an old song from the 1960's called "The Shape Of Things To Come." I don't know who recorded the original version of the song, but Slade did a cover version of it.
The character of Theo wants to stop progress because he thinks people are continually sacrificing and being sacrificed for the promise of a better tomorrow, rather than living for today and enjoying the fruits of their labour. Misguided, perhaps, but it's not a crazy line of reasoning.
Very good review, thanks. Just a couple of comments. You said you laughed at the characters who were opposed to progress. As a computer programmer, who has to learn new and improved programs and languages every few years, I can sympathize with wanting to halt progress (or a "period of rest"), at least for a few more years. But yes, I agree with you that progress (in general) is a good thing. The other comment is about the author H.G. Wells. You're right about his world outlook. I think you can call him an "arm-chair" or "ivory-tower" socialist. He had his own vision of the future and did not bother to talk with and mingle with the regular, working people. They have ideas about the future too.
Ralphie Richardson Ruled that movie!! I saw the movie only the other day (which is prob'ly why the algorithm brought me here), and my only worry is that people hadn't grown up enough to realize that Cabal's method of societal assimilation by force is unethical and suspect. In fact, I'm pressed to distinguish the difference between "Wings over the World" and The Chief's little fiefdom. In my view, The Chief has a greater right to keep what''s his than John Cabal has to take it all away from him, IF what Cabal has planned is essentially no different than The Chief's. Thank you very much for realizing all this. Theo: "...and lastly, that Space cannon of your's, I don't think it even WORKS!" -god, I wished he would've said that, it'd be EPIC.
Hey, RNG, biding my time in the backfiles till you can return. I like this movie -- cautiously. I see an odd parallel between "Theo" and the Jake Busey saboteur in the movie Contact, who's out to blow up the Machine. You draw an analogy to the Borg, but I think more of how the Federation in Star Trek first tried to assert itself on a war-torn Earth. One thing that always cracks me up -- the space gun clearly has a SIGHT at the end (or top) of the barrel. What's the sight for!? Does a King-Kong-size giant come along and aim and fire the gun, using the sight!? Thank you for focusing on Roxana Black, she somehow faded in my memory and I need to give this a better look. Great work on a great movie, RNG, looking forward to more.
Most enjoyable! A very perceptive and revealing analysis of a classic science fiction film. The same year this film came out, an adaptation of another Wells novel, The Man Who Could Work Miracles, was released, also with Ralph Richardson (the chief). I can highly recommend this one as well.
7:53 - It's perhaps not made clear on first viewing but when he delivers his anti-spacegun speech Theo is actually addressing "the entire world", not just Everytown.
" And if we're no more than animals, then we must snatch each little scrap of happiness, and live and suffer and pass, mattering no more than all the other animals do or have done. It is this, or that - all the Universe or nothingness! Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?"
That movie was a good character study of humanity always in strife between those who seek progress against those who want to control the world around them.
Another great review!! i have got to see this movie!! This is my first time hearing about it, and I'm fairly used to a slow pace so i should have no problem enjoying it!
A comic species (humanity) muddles it's way through half-baked myths with the purpose to keep the goal posts at infinity, thus providing enough impetus to kick-start a consumer techno-binge that leaves a chorus of screaming beggars asking the age old bait-n-switch clincher "Which shall it be?!"
“There's nothing wrong in suffering, if you suffer for a purpose. Our revolution didn't abolish danger or death. It simply made danger and death worthwhile.”
Always thought The Boss (Rudolph) was Pippa Pathworthy's son... But there is no hard evidence to support that. Great observations on an all-but-forgotten Sci/Fi Classic! If you'd permit me... I would like to add a tidbit I noticed many years ago. In addition to it almost single handedly starting the Post Apocalyptic Sub-Genre... It also seemed to serve as the precursor to the Living-Dead horror franchise. (Re-watch the scenes involving the Wandering Sickness & you'll see what I mean!)
Great review as always. I am working through your reviews on movies that I actually had no interest in, just to get your take on things. Could I suggest you have a look at some of Terry Gilliam's films? Brazil, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (a box-office flop, but a strange and beautiful movie), Time Bandits etc.
Können Sie empfehlen Medikamente für Furz und Durchfall? Ich Furz wie eine große Trompete. Vollen Klang, wie ein Kaiser Furz. Mein Durchfall fließt wie ein Fluss.
Thank you for taking the time to create this in depth review. I really enjoyed it. Seeing what H.G. Wells thought of a pre-WW2 future really makes this movie for me. I created a remix trailer of the film on my channel if you are interested.
Girl, have you ever listenend about the german series RAUMPATROUILLE from 1966 ? Its as well black and white and only 7 episodes had been made. Here the first : ua-cam.com/video/Z5Yk3BpnIoE/v-deo.html
So we have a figure trying to create a utopian one world government--by force. Where have I heard this before? (The book of Daniel, the book of Revelation, the man of sin, the beast, the antiChrist).
Very solid review.
One thing you didn't mention, which actually makes this a film I frequently watch around Christmas, are the opening scenes of Everytown set among the trappings of Christmas celebration. I think the film gives a nice time capsule of some of the then familiar sights and sounds (and toys) of pre-war England. All of this routine holiday cheer being set against the background drumbeat to war - which is very specifically highlighted in the mobilization montage. There are also some amazingly prescient images of WWII - which you should recall was still in the future for the people who were originally viewing this film. I'm particularly envisioning the fleets of aircraft flying over the White Cliffs of England's coast and futuristic tanks. All elements of the shape of things to come.
Also, please keep in mind: The world of Audio recordings for film and motion-picture had only been in use for 5 years when this movie was being made. It was hard for those early devices to capture the actors speaking their lines. And they found the most success in doing so, with actors who gave a 'Shakespearian' delivery of the dialog. This is why you hear the early film actors 'projecting' their spoken-words out loud as if they were performing in an Amphitheater. Movies with added soundtracks were still new to many of the audiences in 1935-1936.... and to the film-industry as a whole. Granted, they could have found a way to 'dub' their lines later in the studio... as most every movie produced is done today. But that bought on an added cost and time involved that they probably didn't want to burden the studio and the actors with at the time.
What a great point. Thank you so very much for this wealth of information!😊
I really like your format and choice of segment titles, most movie reviewers don't talk about Empathy the way you do. I really appreciate you're inclusion and explanation in each review.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate you saying that because I spent so much time on creating my format. You're awesome!
Retro Nerd Girl You're an awesome reviewer. Keep exploring space and retro movies. :)
Great review. I've watched bits of this movie before (usually the last segment) and I've finally gotten around to watching the whole movie. Great concepts and special effects for the time. I wholeheartedly agree with the futurists' ideas about advancing mankind. Despite that, I have to say my favorite line in the film is, "We will hate you more if you succeed than if you fail." it's the same, sad refrain you hear from anyone trying to halt progress, whether it's people trying to halt stem cell research, halt space exploration or halt societal progress, but it stands out in the movie and echoes in my brain as a warning to be cautious of people trying to halt your progress.
Absolutely. That's a great point. Its really interesting how change scares people so much.
Yep, we are just commenting on the film and the book, which didn't present the 2036 as a dictatorship. Thank you though for pointing Well's ideas for a perfect society.
And sadly, parts of the world today are in the thralls of political conservatism. History, or films, seem to teach us nothing we choose to learn :(
Very good review. The only thing I disagree with you on is the pacing. For me, it was spot on, it told the story efficiently with no wasted scenes.
great review! I like how you combined the movie stats together. Looking forward to more!
Thank you!!! I am so glad you like that. I will do my best. :)
Finally got around to watching this. It's pretty damn amazing for its time. I think it's the oldest film I have seen where male chauvinism is high-lighted and derided! Incredibly prescient vision of the London blitz in WWII and an interesting, if clumsy, analysis of progressivism vs conservatism on a societal level rather than political.
Sadly, it seems we have learned nothing from films like this and Metropolis - we just look on them as quaint and naive as we go on to repeat the mistakes the movies made abundantly clear.
There's a version available as a bonus DVD with the British blu-ray of this film entitled The Virtual Extended Edit which reinstates around 30 minutes of cut and subsequently lost footage reconstructed using publicity stills and subtitles. A couple of these scenes make Wells' feminist leaning even more explicit with at one point Kalan (?) actually advocating for harems only to be figuratively shot down by another character.
Retro Nerd Girl got a detail right that I was about to correct. When the Chief dies at about 1:01:00, I thought he ate a bullet when the non-lethal gas killed no one else. Watching again, he has his monologue, then fires 6 rounds from his side arm while on camera, which I cannot quite make out, but likely held just the 6 rounds. I was sure he ate a bullet, but nope. On a slightly critical note, of Wells, not Nerd Girl, we have the false assumption that if we just need smarter people in charge (scientists and engineers running a world government). Wells was a STEM guy with a chip on his shoulder from an insecure lower middle class childhood. He wanted people who reminded him of himself to be in charge...not the first to make that mistake. Our politicians are 9/10 lawyers by trade, but if you replace them with STEM people, they will be no more ethical AND less capable of conflict resolution thru negotiating among factions. Ethics and intelligence do not correlate at all. Look at the occasional medical doctor politician. There are a few good ones and several real wackadoos.
tWoman In The Moon (1929) directed by Mr Wells' "friend" Fritz Lang, was the first film to depict a lunar landing using a multi-stage rocket.
I like that you mentioned the dramatic looking cities like that in Logan's Run. I have always been an admirer of the cool architecture in scifi & fantasy movies. There have even been some imaginative proposals in the real world such as Paolo Soleri's "Arcology" and Jacque Fresco's "Venus Project", as well as the buildings like John Portman's Bonaventure Hotel in LA, and the whole gamut of daring architects like Frank Gehry, Eric Moss, Zaha Hadid, Thom Mayne & Wolf Prix. Radical architecture may not be the most ideal in a practical sense, so I might be attracted to it only in pursuit of Beauty; but to actually enjoy nice places like that is few and far between anyway. I usually gravitate toward public gardens like the Huntington Garden in San Marino, CA, and I try to visit famous gardens when traveling, especially the Japanese and Chinese gardens.
Regarding progress and technology, I believe that we know high technological accomplishments are possible because of all the eye-witness reports of UFO's that display unique anti-gravity ability. But I am constantly perplexed by the new pitfalls that arise for each new promising technology, such as the nuclear waste problem, the microwave radiation problem, and resource depletion. Even LED lights are somewhat damaging to the eye and sleep ability, as well as lacking the psychological feeling of warmth that a fire or incandescent light bulb might offer. Also, an environmental, sustainable way of living is vitally important, and I believe knowledge will guide us; but we need to be careful about the pitfalls of technology and, most crucially, the detriments of tyranny and corruption on our way forward. (I am frankly interested in how the UFO aliens accomplish what they have done, assuming they are not fraught with a radiation poisoning problem.)
And my 3rd favorite line: "You've got the subtlety of a bulldog!"--Roxana to the Chief
Very nice review. I'm glad you are giving notice to films of the past that most of us have never seen.
There's an old song from the 1960's called "The Shape Of Things To Come." I don't know who recorded the original version of the song, but Slade did a cover version of it.
The character of Theo wants to stop progress because he thinks people are continually sacrificing and being sacrificed for the promise of a better tomorrow, rather than living for today and enjoying the fruits of their labour. Misguided, perhaps, but it's not a crazy line of reasoning.
Very good review, thanks. Just a couple of comments. You said you laughed at the characters who were opposed to progress. As a computer programmer, who has to learn new and improved programs and languages every few years, I can sympathize with wanting to halt progress (or a "period of rest"), at least for a few more years. But yes, I agree with you that progress (in general) is a good thing. The other comment is about the author H.G. Wells. You're right about his world outlook. I think you can call him an "arm-chair" or "ivory-tower" socialist. He had his own vision of the future and did not bother to talk with and mingle with the regular, working people. They have ideas about the future too.
Ralphie Richardson Ruled that movie!! I saw the movie only the other day (which is prob'ly why the algorithm brought me here), and my only worry is that people hadn't grown up enough to realize that Cabal's method of societal assimilation by force is unethical and suspect. In fact, I'm pressed to distinguish the difference between "Wings over the World" and The Chief's little fiefdom. In my view, The Chief has a greater right to keep what''s his than John Cabal has to take it all away from him, IF what Cabal has planned is essentially no different than The Chief's. Thank you very much for realizing all this.
Theo: "...and lastly, that Space cannon of your's, I don't think it even WORKS!" -god, I wished he would've said that, it'd be EPIC.
Great review and nice to see the Supreme Being in a much younger age.
I loved this film also. GREAT ANALYSIS.
Hey thanks. :)
Hey, RNG, biding my time in the backfiles till you can return. I like this movie -- cautiously. I see an odd parallel between "Theo" and the Jake Busey saboteur in the movie Contact, who's out to blow up the Machine. You draw an analogy to the Borg, but I think more of how the Federation in Star Trek first tried to assert itself on a war-torn Earth. One thing that always cracks me up -- the space gun clearly has a SIGHT at the end (or top) of the barrel. What's the sight for!? Does a King-Kong-size giant come along and aim and fire the gun, using the sight!? Thank you for focusing on Roxana Black, she somehow faded in my memory and I need to give this a better look. Great work on a great movie, RNG, looking forward to more.
Most enjoyable! A very perceptive and revealing analysis of a classic science fiction film. The same year this film came out, an adaptation of another Wells novel, The Man Who Could Work Miracles, was released, also with Ralph Richardson (the chief). I can highly recommend this one as well.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to check it out. :)
7:53 - It's perhaps not made clear on first viewing but when he delivers his anti-spacegun speech Theo is actually addressing "the entire world", not just Everytown.
" And if we're no more than animals, then we must snatch each little scrap of happiness, and live and suffer and pass, mattering no more than all the other animals do or have done. It is this, or that - all the Universe or nothingness! Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?"
A terrific biography of William Cameron Menzies is "William Cameron Menzies The Shape Of Films To Come" by James Curtis. Check it out!
That movie was a good character study of humanity always in strife between those who seek progress against those who want to control the world around them.
Another great review!! i have got to see this movie!! This is my first time hearing about it, and I'm fairly used to a slow pace so i should have no problem enjoying it!
Yes, I could picture you enjoying this one! You could probably catch a view of it on UA-cam. Hope you are well! :)
Also a great score by Arthur Bliss... forerunner in some ways to Star Wars.
A comic species (humanity) muddles it's way through half-baked myths with the purpose to keep the goal posts at infinity, thus providing enough impetus to kick-start a consumer techno-binge that leaves a chorus of screaming beggars asking the age old bait-n-switch clincher "Which shall it be?!"
“There's nothing wrong in suffering, if you suffer for a purpose. Our revolution didn't abolish danger or death. It simply made danger and death worthwhile.”
Always thought The Boss (Rudolph) was Pippa Pathworthy's son... But there is no hard evidence to support that.
Great observations on an all-but-forgotten Sci/Fi Classic! If you'd permit me... I would like to add a tidbit I noticed many years ago. In addition to it almost single handedly starting the Post Apocalyptic Sub-Genre... It also seemed to serve as the precursor to the Living-Dead horror franchise. (Re-watch the scenes involving the Wandering Sickness & you'll see what I mean!)
Yes! I thought so too when I saw it the first time. :)
Great review as always. I am working through your reviews on movies that I actually had no interest in, just to get your take on things.
Could I suggest you have a look at some of Terry Gilliam's films? Brazil, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (a box-office flop, but a strange and beautiful movie), Time Bandits etc.
Those are some of my favorite films and I am trying to work my way to them eventually. 😊
Können Sie empfehlen Medikamente für Furz und Durchfall? Ich Furz wie eine große Trompete. Vollen Klang, wie ein Kaiser Furz. Mein Durchfall fließt wie ein Fluss.
Thank you for taking the time to create this in depth review. I really enjoyed it. Seeing what H.G. Wells thought of a pre-WW2 future really makes this movie for me. I created a remix trailer of the film on my channel if you are interested.
Britain Movie of 1936. Produced by Sir Alexander Korda London Films Studios Denham Middlesex.
Girl, have you ever listenend about the german series RAUMPATROUILLE from 1966 ? Its as well black and white and only 7 episodes had been made.
Here the first :
ua-cam.com/video/Z5Yk3BpnIoE/v-deo.html
A disease turns people into zombies? Was this theme of an airborne virus the precursor to current zombie movies? Interesting you didn't cover that.
I dropped the ball. 😊
The message that I got from this movie was that socialism/communism was the way of the future. HG Wells himself was a dedicated socialist
So we have a figure trying to create a utopian one world government--by force. Where have I heard this before? (The book of Daniel, the book of Revelation, the man of sin, the beast, the antiChrist).
True story ?