War Of The Worlds Ending Explained, Movie Analysis And More
by A Maria
Updated Feb 27, 2023
War Of The Worlds
The 2005 film "War of the Worlds" is an American science fiction action movie directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Josh Friedman and David Koepp. The movie is based on H. G. Wells' 1898 novel, "The War of the Worlds," and stars Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, and Tim Robbins. The story follows a divorced American dock worker who must protect his children and reunite them with their mother during an extraterrestrial invasion that devastates Earth's cities with giant war machines. The film was shot in various locations across California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, using five different sound stages. It was also accompanied by a secrecy campaign to prevent details from being leaked before its release, and several tie-in promotions were made with companies such as Hitachi.
War Of The Worlds Ending Explained
Steven Spielberg, a prolific filmmaker known for creating numerous blockbuster hits, directed the 2005 film adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel "The War of the Worlds". Starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning, the film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success. It tells the story of Ray, a divorced dock worker and father of two children, who finds himself in the midst of an alien invasion while taking care of his kids for the weekend. The film's focus on family relationships alongside extraterrestrial events is typical of Spielberg's style, and the action sequences and performances are highly praised. The ending, however, is somewhat controversial and has left audiences divided. Some view it as a letdown after the intense action of the film, but others see deeper meaning within the narrative. This article explores the ending of "War of the Worlds," delving into its significance within the story and its impact on the characters. Additionally, it examines Spielberg's own thoughts on the ending.
War Of The Worlds Movie Analysis
As the film nears its end, the aliens face mounting troubles. The vegetation they have planted fails to take root, and the tripods begin to move without their protective shields, making them vulnerable to attacks by the human army. The film's narrator explains that microscopic organisms, such as microbes and viruses, are the reason behind the aliens' vulnerability. These organisms are lethal to the aliens as they have not developed any resistance to them, unlike humans who have adapted to them over centuries of evolution. The invisible organisms ultimately prove fatal to the aliens after a few days.
The film's message is clear - humans have the inalienable right to live on Earth due to their symbiosis with the planet's microbes and bacteria, which they have adapted to over time. This message can be extended to colonialism, where taking possession of foreign territory and expropriating it from its legitimate inhabitants is wrong and unnatural. The narrator notes that the presence of these organisms on Earth is a sign of divine justice and wisdom, indicating that the death of the aliens is part of God's plan.
Interestingly, Steven Spielberg was not satisfied with the film's ending, considering it a weak point. He expressed his thoughts to James Cameron in his Story of Science Fiction, stating that he believed H.G. Wells did not know exactly how to end the book. Spielberg believed that the aliens' death from a "common cold caused by microbes" was not a strong enough conclusion.
War Of Thre Worlds Overview
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Directed by
Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by
Based on
The War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells
Produced by
Starring
Narrated by
Morgan Freeman
Cinematography
Janusz Kamiński
Edited by
Michael Kahn
Music by
John Williams
Production
companies
Distributed by
Paramount Pictures
Release dates
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$132 million
Box office
$603.9 million
War Of The Worlds Ending Explained - FAQs
"War of the Worlds" is a science fiction action movie directed by Steven Spielberg that follows a divorced American dock worker who must protect his children and reunite them with their mother during an extraterrestrial invasion that devastates Earth's cities with giant war machines. The movie is based on H.G. Wells' 1898 novel of the same name.
"War of the Worlds" stars Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, and Tim Robbins.
The movie was shot in various locations across California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, using five different sound stages.
Yes, the movie was accompanied by a secrecy campaign to prevent details from being leaked before its release.
Yes, several tie-in promotions were made with companies such as Hitachi.