When Worlds Collide (1951)

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

"When Worlds Collide" was made in 1951, four years before the start of the space race. People born in the last quarter of the 20th century or later may not even be familiar with the term. But, it was very real to those living then when the Soviet Union and United States went all out to be the super power of space. The Soviets were the first to send a satellite into orbit – Sputnik 1, on Oct. 4, 1957. Then, the USSR put the first man in space when Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth on April 12, 1961. The U.S. then triumphed with the first landing on the moon and man to walk on the moon. That was Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969. After the USSR tried lunar landings that failed, it reverted to orbital space efforts. Today, many countries cooperate in joint space ventures, most involving the U.S. and Russia (since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991). What has the space race to do with this film? Nothing, except to show that science, rocketry and images of space travel years before the space age were remarkably advanced and close to what would actually develop. Of course, there hasn't been a large space ship with 44 passengers – yet. And, rocket design didn't need a rail track to jettison space craft. And, the world hasn't faced the threat of annihilation from a space collision. Those are elements that are part of this film. But the science, careful planning, rocket design and other aspects the film shows about space travel are very good. This film is a giant leap from the earliest Hollywood films that showed crude spaceships with visible wires holding them aloft. A 16- year-old grandson recently watched this film with me, and was impressed at how realistic and natural is its portrayal of the science and space travel. Indeed, if one didn't see vehicles of the late 1940s and 1950, one could conclude the film was made in the 1970s or 1980s. Yes, even with the track for a boost, where such larger ships with dozens of passengers may need such a launching pad. This is a high quality film in all aspects. The cast are mostly lesser known actors of the day, but Paramount spared no expense in building sets and shooting the film. For all of the effort it put into making it seem real, the studio blundered with the final scene. When people leave the ship after landing on the new planet, the scene of a sunny green valley is so phony. It's obviously a painted backdrop. One would think they could have shot some panoramas of lush forested areas that didn't have signs of civilization for the final touch of reality. A number of later and more recent survival space films have been made about doomsday for the earth. But none have been any better than "When Worlds Collide."

How can you even accept this as science fiction when there is no science. A star entering the solar system would be noticeable long before it passed the orbit of Pluto. As it comes closer and closer to Earth the temperature rise would mean life would be impossible on our planet. The jump then to an unknown planet circling the star is insane, since according to the film, the planet is just an easy jaunt away. Thus it too has been reduced to molten lava,This is an early disaster movie. If you're looking for science fiction you won't find it. I can't understand so many positive reviews. They must have been desperate to see the movie. Next time I recommend "Radar Men from the Moon"

Even though its visuals have dated somewhat since its original release back in 1951, "When Worlds Collide" is still an interesting "End-of-the-World" Sci-Fi fable, no matter what anybody says to the contrary.Brilliant scientist, Dr. Cole Hendron tries to convince a doubting world that Earth is in the direct path of a rogue planet called Bellus that's about the size of our Sun. And a collision with it is inevitable.With no time to lose, wealthy financier, Sydney Stanton orders the immediate construction of a giant spaceship to transport selected survivors safely to a distant planet known as Zyra.A world lottery is held in order to determine who is to travel to Zyra on this astounding spacecraft.The special effects (which includes the submersion of Manhattan) won an Oscar for this impressive, technicolor, "George Pal" production.Just convince yourself that "When Worlds Collide" could really happen and I guarantee that you'll enjoy this throughly entertaining picture from start to finish.

While many sci-fi flicks portrayed alien invasions, Rudolph Maté's "When Worlds Collide" is sort of a precursor to "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon". It depicts a star headed straight for Earth, destined to obliterate the blue planet. So, the world's top minds build a rocket ship to move to the planet circling the star (yeah, can you get more far-fetched?). Meanwhile, the star completely alters Earth's climate (sounds like what's happening now).I noticed that "WWC" co-stars Larry Keating, better known as Roger Addison on "Mister Ed", and Hayden Rorke, better known as Dr. Bellows on "I Dream of Jeannie". Interestingly, many of the "IDOJ" cast members co-starred in movies about possible ends of the world. Barbara Eden co-starred in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", which depicted global warming long before there was even a concept of it. Larry Hagman co-starred in "Fail-Safe", about the prospect of a nuclear holocaust (the movie was no match for "Dr. Strangelove"). Emmaline Henry co-starred in "Rosemary's Baby".Anyway, "WWC" is a pretty fun movie.