The War of the Worlds is a science fiction classic that remains surprisingly entertaining despite its age. The special effects are impressive for 1953, and the film does an excellent job creating a sense of fear and helplessness as humanity confronts an enemy it cannot understand or defeat. The emotional moments don't always land and the "pew pew pew" gets a bit annoying, but the sense of escalating catastrophe keeps the story engaging.

I am ambivalent about this George Pal effort from the 1950s. I like the SFX, the Martian craft design and sticking with the original story's reason for the invasion's failure. I don't like the Christian overtones at the end. As an example of 1950's sci-fi however, it is a classic and rated accordingly.

An abrupt & strange ending spoils it but still worth a watch. Amongst the early alien invasion films, it’s much better than Invaders from Mars but not as good as The Day of the Triffids.

This is one of the best of the 50's Sci-Fi movies. I've seen it many times and love it more each time I watch it. It's a simple but entertaining story with fantastic special effects for a film made in 1953. The apocalyptic story line and the overwhelming sense of dread applied by the superior Martian invaders is well played. And the conclusion while sudden, is unexpected and welcome. One thing has always bothered me though...why did the hollow "meteor" have a screw top? You'd think there would be a better solution for a civilization so technically advanced.