War Of The Worlds: Fact verses FictionBy Bill Knell
A new Alien invasion is coming courtesy of a legitimate sci-fi master. Steven Spielberg is about to unleash an Alien assault on Earth in his latest film, “War of
Worlds.” Because Spielberg is not known for sequels or remakes, this film is going to be very unique and may just set stage for a whole new generation of sci-fi entertainment. The first thing I like about it is that it takes moviegoer inside story. This is a Spielberg trademark.
When shark attacked in Jaws, we were on boat. While E.T. stayed at Elliot’s house, we were there too. When Aliens moved their ship above Roy Neary’s electric truck and gave him that famous sunburn in Close Encounters of Third Kind, we were in truck as well. However, this film takes things a step further. War of Worlds takes place in our world, not some unfamiliar past or vague future. The film makes you feel like a contestant on Survivor.
The television reality show feel of this film is what makes it something new. In this case, new is good, very good! The Sci-Fi film genre has been languishing over past few years from an overdose of special effects combined with mediocre story lines that have left moviegoers uninspired. ‘War of Worlds’ has same potential to inject some life into sci-fi entertainment that ‘The Matrix’ did when first installment hit screens a few years ago.
There is little doubt that this movie will generate some major box office numbers, however, what effect will it have on way public views top of Aliens? We celebrated fiftieth anniversary of famous Orson Welles 1938 dramatized radio broadcast of ‘War of Worlds’ in 1988. A number of UFO conferences were held throughout world that year to recognize anniversary. Many in UFO research community felt and still feel this was a mistake. Their concern, and it’s a legitimate one, is that line between UFO fact and fantasy becomes blurred anytime entertainment world covers a paranormal topic. They feel such ventures should be ignored or even discouraged. I disagree.
When ‘Close Encounters of Third Kind’ appeared on movie screens in late 1970’s, much of film was based on real events. Noted UFO researcher, scientist and Project Bluebook detractor, Dr. J.Allen Hynek, was a consultant to project. That Steven Spielberg film had a very positive effect on UFO research. People who had simply dismissed UFOs out of hand took time to take a second look. Many who had believed never ending stream of negative UFO propaganda from a majority of scientific community were now willing to consider possibility that Aliens may be visiting our Earth.
Most objective researchers involved with studying UFOs have no problem with fictional entertainment projects based on information they present as fact. It’s when Hollywood takes a factual UFO case or specific subject within field and distorts truth that we get upset.
When ‘Intruders’ became a TV mini-series split into three episodes in 1992, most UFO researchers were extremely optimistic about project. Based on non-fiction book by UFO Abductions researcher and noted Artist, Budd Hopkins, mini-series had a deep well from which to draw from when it came to fascinating material. Unfortunately, film turned out to be a drab melodrama that largely mocked UFO Abductions Investigator character based on Budd and tried to create some sort of conspiratorial theme that just didn’t exist in book.
One can understand treatment that ‘Intruders’ received because it was directed by Dan Curtis. Famous for his ‘Dark Shadows’ vampire soap opera of 1960’s and 1970’s, Curtis is a legitimate force to be reckoned with when it comes to covering horror and fantasy on film. Sadly, he lacked Spielberg touch of being able to marry fact and fiction without distorting most of fact. It was when Spielberg dropped ball with a UFO fact-based series that I got upset.
