Three Lessons in Faith from the Movies – Part Three: War of the Worlds Faith Lessons
In July, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) ran a series of science-fiction films on Tuesdays. Hobbits enjoy a good turn of the fantastic, so I looked at three of these movies that have lessons in faith. These movies are repeated fairly often on TCM, and are also available on other channels (as well as for purchase), and I think all hobbits (and humans too) should watch with them their age 10+ children.
To Know Before You Watch:
Movie: War of the Worlds (1953)
Rating: N/A
Age Suggestion: 10+
Running Time: 1 hr. and 25 min.
Release Date: August 26, 1953
Stars: 5 out of 5
Summary:
“War of the Worlds” is based on the novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. Well’s novel is set in late 19th century England; the movie updates this to 1950’s California. The premise is the same; an older civilization on Mars launches cylinders (the first of which is mistaken for a meteor) towards earth. A scientist (Dr. Forrester, Gene Barry) is asked to investigate. Coming to the small California town where the “meteor” landed, he meets Sylvia (Ann Robinson) and her Uncle Matthew (a local clergyman). The military is soon called and prepares to exterminate the invaders.
Uncle Matthew tells Sylvia that the Martians must also be God’s creatures and, holding his Bible in front of him and reciting Psalm 23, he tries to make peaceful contact. The Martians kill him with their heat ray. By this time the Martians have assembled fighting machines which are superior to all weapons that mankind has at its disposal. The Martians easily defeat tanks, guns, bombs, planes. It appears that they are invincible.
In desperation a decision is made to use an atomic bomb. One person notes that the fate of civilization rests on the bomb. But it too fails. The general tells Dr. Forrester and his fellow scientists the only hope now is that they can come up with another way to defeat the invading Martians.
War of the Worlds Faith Lessons
Christian faith is obvious in “War of the Worlds”. It is so much so that it gives some reviewers pause. From Uncle Matthew holding up a Bible with a cross to the churches at the end, faith permeates this movie. However, faith in technology and science are also explored.
1) Times of crisis reveal where people’s true faith lies
Dr Forrester decides to find Sylvia. Earlier, when the two of them were briefly trapped by the Martians, Sylvia had related a childhood incident. Becoming separated from her family, she had gone to a church, the safest place she knew. There she prayed that the one who loved her best would come and find her. Dr. Forrester runs through the streets of a nearly deserted Los Angles, evading the Martian machines. He tries several churches. All are full of people who are fearful, but are praying for a miracle. He finds Sylvia in the last church, and a Martian machine begins to attack. Suddenly the machine falls and grows silent. The Martians inside are dead
2) Ultimately, science will not produce utopia
Throughout the movie everyone first places their faith in weapons, and then in the possibility of science. Not only do the people of Earth do this, but even the Martians have placed all of their faith in their advanced technology and superior weapons. when Uncle Matthew holds up a cross and is destroyed by a heat ray, it is apparent that the Martians have no use for God. If they do worship, it is at the feet of science, technology, and their egos. This leads to the fatal mistake of forgetting to account for the bacteria.
There is a lesson here for our modern, secular world. Just as we saw in “Forbidden Planet”, we at least think that science and technology are going to produce utopia. And we are reminded again that God knows more than we do, and that He is the hope of the world.
3) Arrogance can lead to downfall
The Martians were defeated by bacteria that are normal and beneficial to life on earth, but were deadly to the Martians. While the exact wording in the book and movie are a little different, both say the same thing. The Martians were defeated by “…the littlest things that God, in his wisdom, has put upon this earth. The movie ends with a gathered crowd singing a hymn on a hillside to express there gratitude for the miracle. Ultimately, it was the arrogance of the Martians that led to their downfall, as it does to so many people today.
In all three movies we have highlighted that who and what you have faith in is a tremendously important decision. This is very clear in “War of the Worlds”.
Discussion questions
- Who (or what) do you have faith in?
- The mob in the streets had no regard for other people. The people in the churches were calm. What made the difference?
- God produced a miracle by using bacteria. Does it sometimes take faith to see miracles? How so?
- What would be the first thing you do if martians started attacking earth?
Review
“War of the Worlds” was produced by the famous George Pal. The acting is very good, and the effects still hold up remarkably well (again after almost 70 years). The one effect that is dated is the actual Martian – the Martian hands hold up well, and there is a minor jump scare moment associated with them, but the full Martian is now dated. The book has now produced two movies and several TV series; a new series is currently in production.
This concludes our series on classic science fiction. We will have another short series on classic movies up soon. Do you have any other genres or articles like War of the Worlds faith lessons that you would like to see? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on social media!
Check out some of our other Sci-Fi reviews:
–Forbidden Planet (2nd in this series)
–The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) (1st in this series)
–2 Friendship lessons from the Space Boy novels
–Gear (Graphic Novel) Review
–Men in Black: International Review
–Godzilla: King of the Monsters Review
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another great post!! thanks for these thoughtful questions.