Review of When Worlds Collide (1951) by Luke B — 03 Jan 2009

50's was a great time for Sci-Fi. With the moon landings approaching but not quite here, it was the perfect time for imagination and science to collide. Today though and a lot of the effects and ideas look very dated.

However, buried beneath the surface of these films are excellent ideas. Here we see the worlds reaction to a collision with another planet. Although this will wipe out all life, a handful of people can chance a spaceship to the new planet.

When it's being dramatic it works. Who should survive? Why? How will others react? All this is explored over the course of the film. We also have a number of excellent characters. None of them simple.

This would be a fantastic film for Roland Emmerich to take on, especially with todays effects. Maybe then we could see the planet pass by rather than just a shaky room.