“War of the Worlds: The True Story,” filmmaker Timothy Hines’ ambitious faux documentary about a Martian invasion, has drawn opposing views from two prominent West Coast critics.
The film opened in select theaters on October 30, but has only recently gained notices from the Hollywood press as the Pendragon Pictures release now plays in Los Angeles theaters.
The Hollywood Reporter noted this was Hines second attempt at dramatizing H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic. “Unlike his apparently awful three-hour 2005 direct-to-video effort, this version – inspired by Orson Welles’ legendary 1938 radio broadcast that panicked the nation – takes a conceptually adventurous approach to the material. But despite the undeniable technical proficiency on display, it yields diminishing returns.”
But the Los Angles Times disagreed, describing it as a “mock sci-fi docudrama packed with a truly impressive – and clever – mix of editing (a reported 3 1/2 years’ worth), special effects, visual artistry and offbeat storytelling … It’s quite a production.”
The film has received favorable nods on several fan sites.
Directed and edited by Hines, the film purports to present a filmed 1965 interview with 86-year-old Bertie Wells (Floyd Reichman), the last survivor of the 1900 war between Mars and Earth.
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