Unlike future modernisations or Americanisations - such as the 1950s film version in my view - I feel that in this less than an hour long version Welles does a better job of getting to the heart and the core of the story through the somewhat less than subtle anti-imperial subtext the original book version had than a lot of other versions I've heard Long story short: It's a piece of sci-fi history that's less than hour long. Clearly in an attempt to modernise the original story to 1930s eyes and ears and his American audience Welles and his team successfully managed to relocate the play to a small rural area in New Jersey.

It became famous for a reason after all! Another aspect of the drama I wish to praise is the relocation of the main focus of the invasion. The dramatisation may be dated now especially since it was recorded on equipment we would now consider practically ancient and as such the audio quality and in some cases the personal attitudes of the characters in the play would be considered extremely old fashioned depending on your point of view but I still highly recommend people listen to this version. Written and performed in the style of emergency radio transmissions of the time - complete at first with musical interludes - they do a very good job of persuading you of the horrific monstrosity of the invading martians and the - in some cases - absolutely vile actions they commit. Orson Welles's dramatisation of The War Of The Worlds is extremely well staged. This is the legendary radio broadcast of Halloween 1938. You need to get a better copy.Ī legendary broadcast which deserves praise! My only complaint is that its a bad copy with a part of part 2 coming in during part 1 with a rather annoying screech to it. Add to the fact that hwy 67 has no streetlights and well, you get the picture. I have a 90 minute commute to work and I listened to it at night during a rather bad storm. Professor Pierson who narrarates the story is compelling and the varying emotions in his voice, from skeptisim (sp) to outright horror, makes it more realistic.ĭid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? Which character – as performed by Orson Welles – was your favorite? The story takes place at the turn of the 19th and 20th century in England but it is really good. Buy the HG Wells original story (Its free on Kindle). BTW, don't rely on the movie version of this story for the truth.

The story keeps very close to the original story. Orson Welles had an extremely distinctive voice, it was made for this venue.

I can understand how there were reports of people panicking when they came into it without hearing the intro. Even though the sound effects are cheesy at best, and the recording is old, it still manages to creep you out. Since this is a radio broadcast it is meant to be listened to. What made the experience of listening to War of the Worlds (Dramatized) the most enjoyable?

War of the worlds audiobook