Cameron

from davis dvd

They're coming. 1988's "War of the Worlds" TV series, conceived as a sequel to the classic 1953 George Pal film, is finally headed for DVD this year. The series' conceit found the alien invaders in a state of hibernation - the common bacteria may have stopped them, but it certainly hadn't killed them. Alas, this "Second Invasion" (the show's subtitle) only lasted through two syndicated seasons and 44 episodes before it was cancelled. I would have expected War of the Worlds: Season One to have been announced already to coincide with Steven Spielberg's big-budget remake. But since June 27th is just around the corner - and the series has yet to be announced - my guess is that Paramount may be holding onto it for the film's DVD release later in the year. Stay tuned.



If they are holding this for the dvd release of the summer movie, that leads me to believe the classic movie may be holding out until then as well.

spawndude

Someone remind me how this ended!!!
Seems like I remember something about the entire group that knew about the aliens being killed in an explosion.

Altimus Prime

I remember watching the War of the Worlds tv series religiously. I really enjoyed it.

I'll definitely consider buying it on DVD, along with the classic movie, which I also remember really enjoying.

nemein

I don't know how it ended but from what I remember


of course it's been so long I could be wrong about all of this

Overall regarding the DVD I'll probably just rent it. Over the last couple of years I've discovered my fond memories of TV shows that were on while I was growing up are better left just as memories

Artman

I only watched the first few episodes of the 1st season, which I really liked. I remember the opening scene(s) in some sort of junkyard area, with aliens grabbing people and pulling them off-screen...probably will look hilarious by today's standards.

Lastdaysofrain

I remember the TV spot for this show, it was a teaser and had an alien hand coming out of a barrell or something, sound familar to anyone?

rdclark

Wow. I've never even heard of this show.

RichC

Josh Z

I remember the first season being very entertaining back in the day. I'm interested to see how it holds up.

The second season was a disaster. They killed off most of the characters, completely changed the personality of the lead from a pacifist to a Rambo wannabe, and moved the setting to a cheesy post-apocalyptic wasteland, as was a big fad at the time.

Josh Z

Yeah, that's about right. The aliens were being stored in metal barrels marked Toxic Waste until they came out of hibernation.

The premise of the series was that the aliens could survive by "infecting" a human host body, and walk around unnoticed. The bodies didn't last long, however, and when the alien needed a new one they'd lure someone to an isolated spot and an alien hand would burst out of the stomach and grab the new person. That image of the hand bursting out was a signature of the show and used in all of the promos and advertising.

Mike Lowrey

Seems like I saw most of the first season. And as you all have said, the major change that came with Season 2 left me kind of disinterested. I kept asking myself, "Is this the same series? Where's all the main characters?"

I think we could say that this series was sort of a test ground, if not at least a pre-cursor to The X-Files.

STEVEIGNORANT

It's up for pre-order at DVDEmpire. Gotta say I like the cover art. Didn't care too much for this, but I may pick it up anyway.

dx23

It is coming the same day as the original 1953 version. The remake is also supposed to come that day. Here is the link with the cover art from dvdempire:
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_ite...item_id=739319

bboisvert

Good move putting this out now.

Here's the direct link:

http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_ite...item_id=739319

critterdvd

I never watched this, but It definatly worth checking out for me...

nemein

I strongly suspect this will be one of those "what was I thinking when I watched this" type shows for me I'll Netflix it but I seriously doubt I'll buy it.

Mike Lowrey

I don't know, nemein, it might be one of those rare gems. Wasn't this series sort of a pre-cursor to X-Files?

nemein

Kinda-sorta I guess. From what I recall there wasn't as much conspiracy/collusion in WotW as in XFiles. I think the thing that really turned me off was the dramatic shift between season 1 and 2 w/ little explaination (that I remember... maybe they did and I forgot it).

Josh Z

The two seasons are almost entirely different shows. It's really better to just think of the series as ending after the first season.

Legolas

War of the Worlds was a different show each season, kind of like what happened with SeaQuest. Season Two does have Adrian Paul though, if that's any consolation for the actors they "got rid of."

Artman

Will likely rent the first disc if it's available, I only watched the first 3 episodes or so... I remember it being really cool - of course I was 9 at the time...I suspect it's not going to be quite the same now.

Shannon Nutt

I seem to recall season one of this show being pretty "watchable"...I wonder if I'll have the same reaction the second time around.

Lemdog

I just might pick this one up.

Cameron

it was also coming out two months ago when this thread was posted.

1988's War of the Worlds TV series blurb

Cameron

coming 11.01.05