The War of the Worlds
BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation
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The War of the Worlds
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Narrated by:
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Blake Ritson
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Samuel James
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full cast
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By:
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H. G. Wells
About this listen
A brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of HG Wells' famous story of the brutal Martian invasion of Earth.
When strange explosions are observed on the surface of Mars, excitement spreads among the scientific community. Surrey astronomer Ogilvy invites his friend Robert to the observatory to witness the turbulence on the red planet.
Ten days later, Ogilvy discovers a strange projectile on Horsell Common – with something inside. Robert rushes to view the craft, and is present when Martians emerge and turn their heat rays on the locals, who are waving white flags. It is the beginning of a merciless invasion....
As Robert flees in search of safety, accompanied by a young curate, young soldier Billy experiences the chaos happening in London. As the Martians take control, transforming the landscape and decimating the population, is this the end for the human race? Wells' terrifying science fiction tale, first published in 1898, is both a reflection of Victorian fears of a coming apocalypse and a critique of British imperialism. This enthralling dramatisation asks how humankind would fare if colonised by a vastly superior technological invader.
It stars Blake Ritson as Robert, with Samuel James as Billy and Carl Prekopp as the Curate.
©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Overall really enjoyed it.
Great story, well acted, bit short
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At last, a post post-modern take on War of the Worlds.
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It was a departure from the characters I thought I knew, regardless of how they have been portrayed in various dramas, tv shows etc.
Our main protagonist (Robert) is not a character you want to like or are made to like. He is a troubled, insecure, weak individual. A petty man set in his ways.
Immediately this throws you, as regardless of what you have read, heard, seen before, our main character has always been someone you want to see survive. You want to see them get through it and make it through to the other side.
So this is what made it difficult for me to instantly like this version. And that change in character doesn’t end there, it applies more or less to all the characters in the story.
However, I came to realise that after a while, I was compelled to listen to this audio drama again. And after listening again, and then again, and then again however many more times I realised that the thing that made me want to listen was exactly the thing that put me off this version in the first place.
Yes the characters feel different, yes it makes you feel like it’s not the story you thought you knew. But for me, I believe it’s the most honest, true to life version you will find. This version focuses more on the human element of this situation. And as we are all very well aware, us humans are not perfect. Far from it. We all have our quirks, our problems, our own ways of being. We all have our opinions, our own ways of communicating, reacting, and doing things. We are all different. But none of us are perfect.
This version really focuses in on that. Robert is far from a perfect man. That for me makes it interesting as he tries to negotiate his way through this unexpected turmoil having to interact and be with other imperfect human beings.
For me, it’s the most true to life version of survival in this war of the worlds then any others I have listened to.
For a point of comparison, I very much enjoy the BBC 1960s audio drama (awful sound score, but charming in a strange way) again the story is adapted but the acting is fantastic and for me, if you can envisage every scene with crystal clarity in your head, then it’s doing it’s job perfectly. However, our main characters in this are good, honest people just trying to survive. Not really delving to deeply into the complexities of the human mind and how that alters in the event of a disaster.
Another favourite is Jeff Wayne’s Musical Audio Drama with Michael Sheen. This is a real treat, especially if you’re a fan of the musical. Again the characters are good, you want to see them survive and though it touches on various human behaviours in such an event, I don’t think it delves as deeply as this version does.
This version is darker, you never get a sense of relief, even at the end. Perhaps I’m making it sound better then it really is.
But I think ultimately for me, it’s become a version I learned to like, simply because it gets you to look at the same story you all know and treasure and really think about how you would survive this terrible event in a world where nobody is perfect.
4/5 for me. A don’t forget to give it another try after you decide you don’t like it on first listen.
Same story, different perspective.
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Set in England during the Victorian era.
Another great BBC audio drama adaptation. Superb.
A slow descent into madness
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The sound effects went well with the story, and the pace was perfect. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants a different take on the classic story.
No one would have believed...
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