War of the worlds

War of the worlds

DVD - 2013

What began as a broadcast performance of H.G. Wells' fantasy, The War of the Worlds, turned into one of the biggest mass hysteria events in U.S. history. American Experience examines the elements that together created this frenzy, including our longtime fascination with life on Mars; the emergence of radio as a powerful new medium; and the creative wunderkind Orson Welles, the twenty-three-year-old director of the drama and mischief-maker supreme. The film contains reanactments of reactions to the hoax from people all over the United States.

Saved in:
Place a Hold Save to List Email this

2nd Floor Show me where

DVD/791.4472/War
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
2nd Floor DVD/791.4472/War Checked In
Subjects
Wells, H. G. > (Herbert George), > 1866-1946 > Criticism and interpretation.
War of the worlds (Radio program)
Radio broadcasting > History.
Historical reenactments (Television programs)
Mars (Planet) > In literature.
Documentary television programs.
Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
Genres
Documentary television programs
Video recordings for the hearing impaired
Published
[place of publication not identified] : PBS c2013.
Language
English
Corporate Author
Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
Corporate Author
Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.) (production company)
Other Authors
Michelle Ferrari (creator), A. Brad (Austin Bradley) Schwartz (narrator), Oliver Platt
Edition
Widescreen
Item Description
Title from container.
Rating: Not rated.
Special features: On set: the making of War of the worlds ; Dear Mr. Welles: letters that inspired the film ; outtakes.
Physical Description
1 videodisc (approximately 60 min.) : sound, color with black and white sequences ; 4 3/4 in
Format
DVD, widescreen presentation; 5.1 surround ; region 1.
Production Credits
Edited by Brian Funck ; directors of photography, Stephen McCarthy & Jason Longo ; original music by John Kusiak ; recreations directed by Josh Seftel.
ISBN
9781608839643
Contents unavailable.
Review by Library Journal Review

On Sunday night, October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater on the Air presented a now-famous dramatization of H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds (1898). In this film, American Experience reviews the making of this radio program, aired on CBS Radio, and the impact it had on the listening public. The panicked reaction of listeners around the country is well known. Black-and-white dramatized interviews based on actual letters from listeners give those reactions a human face. The film explores the zeitgeist of the United States in 1938 to uncover the roots of the panic in mounting tensions in Europe and the worry and turmoil of the Great Depression. Interviews with director Peter Bogdanovich, Welles's daughter Chris Welles Feder, and other authorities help the viewer understand the power of mass media, particularly in the hands of a genius like Orson Welles. -VERDICT This film aired on PBS in October 2013 to mark the 75th anniversary of the original production. Interest in the broadcast as a moment in media history continues to make this film a recommended purchase for all libraries.-Rosemary Arneson, Univ. of Mary Washington Lib., Fredericksburg, VA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Similar Items