The War Of The Worlds [H G Wells]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Part 1

20170304

Following sightings of strange explosions on the surface of Mars, Martian ships begin to arrive on Earth. But scientific excitement quickly turns to horror - and a merciless invasion begins.

At the time of the novel's writing by H G WELLS (first published in 1898), Britain had never been stronger, but a sense of moral queasiness at the methods used in Empire building was growing.

Melissa Murray's dramatisation highlights the questions Wells poses: What if we were the colonised? How would we fare if a vastly superior technological invader attacked us? How would we behave?

This dramatisation also reflects Wells' depiction of late Victorian suburban life and culture, making its domestic heart a poignant and terrifying starting point for an invasion by Martians with their own imperialist agenda, and reflecting the common fear which had emerged in the years approaching the turn of the century - that the apocalypse would come on the last day of 1899.

Robert

Part 2

20170311

As the Martians continue their merciless invasion, transforming the landscape and decimating the population, Robert begins to lose his reason.

Conclusion of H G WELLS's 1898 novel dramatised by Melissa Murray.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Part 1	20170304	Following sightings of strange explosions on the surface of Mars, Martian ships begin to arrive on Earth. But scientific excitement quickly turns to horror - and a merciless invasion begins. At the time of the novel's writing by H G WELLS (first published in 1898), Britain had never been stronger, but a sense of moral queasiness at the methods used in Empire building was growing. Melissa Murray's dramatisation highlights the questions Wells poses: What if we were the colonised? How would we fare if a vastly superior technological invader attacked us? How would we behave? This dramatisation also reflects Wells' depiction of late Victorian suburban life and culture, making its domestic heart a poignant and terrifying starting point for an invasion by Martians with their own imperialist agenda, and reflecting the common fear which had emerged in the years approaching the turn of the century - that the apocalypse would come on the last day of 1899. Robert
02	Part 2	20170311	As the Martians continue their merciless invasion, transforming the landscape and decimating the population, Robert begins to lose his reason. Conclusion of H G WELLS's 1898 novel dramatised by Melissa Murray.