Submitted by cinemascope on Mon, 2007-05-14 16:10. :: This Week's Films
Movie title:
Things To Come
Starring:
Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Edward Chapman, Margaretta Scott, Cedric Hardwicke
Directed by:
William Cameron Menzies
Written by:
H.G. Wells
Genre:
Sci-fi
Year:
1936
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Runtime:
1 hour 57 minutes
Rating:
Synopsis
A huge global war in the near future (1940) drags on for decades, followed by a great plague in 1966 that plunges mankind into a new Dark Ages, where manufacturing has ceased and society has broken down into primitive local communities run by warlords. One such warlord, The Boss (Richardson) has difficult decisions to make when John Cabal (Massey), a scientist, offers to bring progress to the local population. Decades into the future, civilization has prgressed once more and people live in sleek cities and apparent harmony. But when Oswald Cabal (Massey again) plans to launch a man and woman into space, a new revolt begins to ferment.
A huge global war in the near future (1940) drags on for decades, followed by a great plague in 1966 that plunges mankind into a new Dark Ages, where manufacturing has ceased and society has broken down into primitive local communities run by warlords. One such warlord, The Boss (Richardson) has difficult decisions to make when John Cabal (Massey), a scientist, offers to bring progress to the local population. Decades into the future, civilization has prgressed once more and people live in sleek cities and apparent harmony. But when Oswald Cabal (Massey again) plans to launch a man and woman into space, a new revolt begins to ferment.
Review
One of the most influential science fiction movies, and certainly the most important pre-war British movie of the genre. While some effects may have dated (this is a 60 year-old movie), many are still hugely impressive, and the modernist designs of the future cities still dazzle in their simple, clean lines: Things To Come influenced sci-fi for many years to come, from Star Trek to 2001: A Space Odyssey. The peculiarly British 'shouty' stage-acting style performances from Massey, and particularly, the quite mad Ralph Richardson, somehow work in this context, and HG Wells story is chillingly prophetic, even in the 21st century. A good value box set too, with great extras detailing the design in particular, and the score by Arthur Bliss, one of the first movie scores to become popular in its own right.
One of the most influential science fiction movies, and certainly the most important pre-war British movie of the genre. While some effects may have dated (this is a 60 year-old movie), many are still hugely impressive, and the modernist designs of the future cities still dazzle in their simple, clean lines: Things To Come influenced sci-fi for many years to come, from Star Trek to 2001: A Space Odyssey. The peculiarly British 'shouty' stage-acting style performances from Massey, and particularly, the quite mad Ralph Richardson, somehow work in this context, and HG Wells story is chillingly prophetic, even in the 21st century. A good value box set too, with great extras detailing the design in particular, and the score by Arthur Bliss, one of the first movie scores to become popular in its own right.
