No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’s and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.

Sowly the imminent release of Steven Spielbergs version of H.G. Wells classic novel, is starting to stir the internet space, in advance of its release in the summer of 2005.

In March of 2005, Pendragon will release their own movie version, more true to the original book, as their version is set in England at the turn of the nineteenth century, whereas Spielbergs version is set in our own time.

Comparing the Spielberg trailer with the Pendragon one, its rather clear where the money, – and probably where the production value, went.

For a moment the poster art of the Spielberg version exited me, for reasons I will allude to in a moment.
But after seeing the trailer (not much to see yet, its more of a teaser), and reading some things about it, I doubt I will be more exited about that version, than I was about, say, Independance Day.

You see, neither of these versions exite me, nor have any adaptations so far, and certainly not this one, rofl.

There is only one version of this classic story that exites me.

B00006I05X.01.LZZZZZZZ

Amazon.com

I cannot accurately put into worlds what this musical does for me. My parents had it on LP, and I have listened to it as long as I can remember. It has always haunted me. Nothing, no movie, no book, has ever scared and impressed me so like this version did (of course you have to remember I was 5 or so when I heard it first). The absolutely amazing artwork by Geoff Taylor played a very important part of the experience of it for me. The combination left an impression on me so large, that I am sure it has played a large part of who I am now.

You can, therefore imagine, that I was rather thrilled to read the following over on WaroftheWorldsOnline.com:

“Earlier this year Jeff commissioned a large team of UK
animators to begin production of a feature length CGI-animated film based
on his Musical Work which is intended to be released in cinemas in 2007 –
and the team are making unbelievable progress. The film will sty true to
the HG Well’s novel, being set in Victorian England and will of course
make good use of Jeff’s music!”

Apart from that, there will be a new remastered and remixed DVD version of the Album coming out early next year, which I will be picking up of course.

http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/ – Jeff Wayne’s Official Site for the upcoming War of the Worlds material
http://www.waroftheworlds.com/ – Paramount/Spielberg Movie
http://www.pendragonpictures.com/WOTWKEY.html – Pendragon’s Movie

We are on the Eve of the War, the next two years are looking good.