Yes, the Beeb has their new version of the War of the Worlds airing at the end of this week, and I was lucky to see a preview of the first episode on the big screen last week. So, does this version of an oft-adapted tale get off to a good start? Absolutely! Now it's in an interesting mix of elements old and new that are in here. It has direct from the novel characters not always in the other versions, like Ogilvy the astronomer and the main characters' brother who's the viewpoint for what happens in London itself, and the timeline of events are close to how they are in the book. But there's a tonne here that's new, with easily the biggest and most obvious change being the fact that the characters have... well, character! I have a lot of fondness for the novel, but I will admit that the nameless narrator, their brother, and their wife who's only fleetingly in there are merely placeholders, meant to be the eyes and ears of the reader. Here, Rafe Spall's George gets a good deal of H.G. Wells' own personal history, he's far more fleshed out. Also, his partner Amy (Eleanor Tomlinson) is subtly but noticeably promoted to at the very least co-protagonist, with the two of them already being a bit outside the Edwardian society they're part of, which makes them good as observers of these world shaking events, and gives a character dynamic that's something for the audience to root for.
Note that in that last sentence I said "Edwardian" society. It's been reported that this takes place at the time the book is written, but screenwriter Peter Harness (who's previously done good work on Doctor Who) has set this sometime around 1904, as if you read the original book it's hinted to be taking place then too. (Stephen Baxter took the same route when he did his authorised novel sequel The Massacre of Mankind, picking up on the same references to put the invasion in 1907). This means that a bit of real world history can be added to the mix, such as references to the Russo-Japanese war. That also means it can reflect on a true war the like of which had never been seen before, but one that also brought down the British Empire at its heights. The period setting is wonderfully realised, with fine location work merging with near invisible CGI edits to feel authentic. But of course the real eye candy in this version are the Martians and their technology. This is another departure from the novel, as there's a unique perspective to the arriving invaders and their tripods in this version, a whole new truly alien aesthetic. At my most glib, I'd describe it like the Kryptonian technology in the Christopher Reeves Superman films, but evil; it works fantastically in here, and I'm keen to watch the rest of the series, to see how more of it is introduced and used. Plus, there's a great reveal partway through the episode which builds the stakes of what the Martians can and are planning to do fantastically; not spoiling it, but you'll know what I mean when it comes on screen, it's a great "...oh, OOOHHHH!!!" moment.
Of course, it's only the first episode, so can't say yet if this sticks the landing, but the BBC War of the Worlds has a terrific start, one that engages well with the spirit of the novel, namely making clear the original theme of "yes British Empire, let's see you on the receiving end of colonialism for a change!". It adds some interesting new ideas to the mix, feels very timely, and is superbly directed by Craig Viveiros (who has previously done the Beeb's excellent take on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None), bringing to the fore the horror aspects in key scenes. Damn, between this, His Dark Materials, and the upcoming Dracula, BBC is doing well for drama right now (pity I can't say the same about their news impartiality). Definitely check this out as it airs over the next few Sundays!
The War of the Worlds Premieres on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday the 17th of November.
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