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When Worlds Collide
Price: $19.95 Prices subject to change.
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Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300215528
Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 0792108906
Label: Paramount
Languages: English (Original Language), AnalogFrench (Original Language), AnalogPortuguese (Original Language), AnalogSpanish (Original Language), Analog
Manufacturer: Paramount
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Paramount
Release Date: January 01, 1998
Running Time: 81 minutes
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: 1951-08
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Editorial Review:
Winner of the 1951 Academy Award for Best Special Effects, this science fiction extravaganza set a new standard for the realistic depiction of cinematic disasters. Of course, it's a quaint curiosity by today's technological standards, but as produced by visual effects pioneer George Pal, this story of Earth's collision with a runaway star is still a dazzling example of screen sci-fi from the '50s, when special effects were entering a new stage of advancement. Despite scientists' warnings about the star's destructive potential, government officials refuse to take action that could cause international panic, but a consortium of private industrialists prepare for the worst by building a gigantic spaceship--an ark for humanity to begin life anew on a distant planet. Who will be chosen to go, and who left behind? As earthquakes roar and massive tidal waves devastate entire cities, the huge rocket prepares for take-off from its miles-long launching ramp--ready to abandon the shattered Earth! Although it's more enjoyable now as a cinematic museum piece, When Worlds Collide remains a milestone of its kind, leading the way for many more screen disasters that followed this movie's still-worthy example. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Fun Sci-Fi Classics
I loved the book (and it's sequel, After Worlds Collide) when I was young. The movie is certainly not as good, but still a lot of fun. Its too bad they never made a movie of the sequel.
Rating:  - Early George Pal
After DESTINATION MOON and just before WAR OF THE WORLDS, Pal's adaption of The Phillip Wylie/Edwin Balmer classic is, itself, a classic. Effects that were top of the line for the early 1950's but may seem abit lame to today's viewers. The grand daddy of all disaster movies, this is one film it would be interesting see it remade with CGI. Still an wonderfully entertaining film. Have to admit, except for John Hoyt as a ruthless cripped millionaire (his man servant is played by a guy whose name ... Read More
Rating: - Great Classic Movie At A Fantastic Price!
"When Worlds Collide" is one of my very favorite Sci-Fi movies. It is based on a book by the same name, co-written by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer (which is a great book with and enjoyable sequel, "After Worlds Collide"). The movie is appropriate for all but the youngest viewers and rates highly on my family's "Lazy Saturday" movie list. The plot is fast moving, the acting is good, and the "classic" special effects are enjoyable (matte-paintings :-)
This is a bargain priced DVD for ... Read More
Rating: - From Nuclear Paranoia to Kitsch Fun - I love it!
This movie freaked me out when I was 5 (in mid 1970s). Now it is so kitsch I just can't stop laughing.
As background scenarios, it uses oil-painted canvas; the rocket has propane gas lighters as fire engines. Acting lines are poor (except for: "You are scientific crackpots! Nothing will happen!"); plus, lip-locked kisses, and the absurd amount of cigarettes they smoke.
Likewise, its sci-fi concepts are beyond illogical even for the genre criteria, such as flying ... Read More
Rating: - Great Movie by George Pal!
This is a great movie about the end of the world. No, not by global warming, but by a heavenly body colliding with Earth. A space arc is constructed, and everyone fights for a seat. The only negative, there does not seem to be any racial diversity on the all-white flight.
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