Original subtitles

In 1953,

Earth experienced a war of the worlds.

Common bacteria stopped the aliens,

but it didn't kill them.

Instead, the aliens lapsed into a state of deep hibernation.

Now the aliens have been resurrected,

more terrifying than before.

In 1953 aliens started taking over the world.

Today, they're taking over our bodies.

Martians on motorcycles.

They're coming your way.

Any trouble?

Not yet.

Back off, man. You're getting too close.

You be cool and we'll be cool.

No one gets off their bikes in Grover's Mill.

Look, we're gonna go to the cemetery,

bury our man in his home ground, and then we're out of here.

Here you go, Tommy.

Now what?

It's blasphemous, that's what it is.

It makes me sick.

It makes me sick, young man!

Pipe the hell down.

I will not. I will not!

Bob, not here.

This is a joke! A travesty!

What's your problem, Pop?

Come on, spit it out.

But many in New York and New Jersey

were not amused.

Near Grover's Mill, farmers blasted water towers

with shotguns, mistaking them for giant Martian assault craft.

The next day Orson Welles

told newspapers he was deeply shocked

this radio show had been taken seriously.

Happy Halloween

from Orson Welles.

People will believe anything.

McCULLOUGH: It spawned decades of research

into mass hysteria.

I know you didn't just show us this

for your own amusement, Harrison.

Well, the good news is that, uh, we've been given a bonus

for our special achievements.

General Wilson has sent us all expense-paid vacations.

And the bad news?

We're all going to the Grover's Mill's, New Jersey,

50th anniversary of Orson Welles broadcast

of War of the Worlds.

Kind of a county fair.

I think I'm going to pass.

I'm up to my eyeballs in work.

I don't think so, Suzanne.

I think General Wilson's on to pay dirt.

As you all know, he's been conducting an alien white paper.

Now it's taken him a little while,

but he's managed to pluck a file

out of the morass of red tape over at the Pentagon.

And this file reveals

the truth of the Orson Welles War of the Worlds

radio broadcast in 1938.

The truth is, there actually was an alien invasion

in Grover's Mill.

Some funeral.

Look, I don't care what those freaks do

as long as they stay away from Grover's Mill.

All right. Go on, let's get the casket out.

Let's get it down and open it up.

We believe that our detection device

has found the object of our search, Advocate.

Believe?

Why are you not yet certain?

The object is still buried deep in the ground.

Where it does us no good!

Why the delay, comrade?

Progress is slow, Advocate,

since we needed to move with extreme caution.

I believe the decision to occupy the bodies

of motorcycle enthusiasts has complicated this.

Explain yourself.

These bodies are attracting unwanted attention

from other humans.

Use your best judgment, comrade.

And keep us advised of your progress at each stage.

Recovery of the machine will go a long way

toward guaranteeing our victory.

True, assuming the machine is still operational.

Is it just me, comrades,

or do the complexities of our invasion

grow more and more tangled at every step?

No one ever said war was easy.

M.C. Flying saucer racers age ten through 12

report to the ready area.

No wine before it's time.

Rosebud.

This place is great.

They've got pony rides and everything!

Good news, Colonel.

What? Pony rides.

Any more contestants for the Orson Welles contest?

Madam, you look like a likely contender.

Come on up here.

The management would like

to assure patrons that despite rumors to the contrary,

there is nothing wrong with the blue ice cream.

Look, Mom, cotton candy.

Can I go get some?

Oh, come right back.

While I spend some much needed quality time with my daughter,

what kind of trouble are you two going to get into?

Well, we're going to see if we can find anyone

who might remember the '38 invasion

and get some new information on the aliens.

And pay a tribute

to those brave but forgotten veterans

who fought in that great historic battle.

I'd like to find out why

more people don't remember this.

Who does remember it,

and why?

The same thing happened in 1953.

Most people can't seem to remember that invasion.

It just doesn't figure.

It could be selective amnesia.

Memory blockage is a kind of defense mechanism.

Along with the very interesting possibility

that the aliens may be able to inflict memory loss

on human beings.

Orson Wells look-alike number 34

you forgot your beard.

Grover's Mill is going to be a living laboratory for us.

To those who fell in the battle of '38.

To those who fell. To those who fell.

One of the bravest chapters in American history.

But nobody knows about it.

It's like spittin' in the wind.

We're out there alone!

All alone.

Nobody gives us any parades.

Hell, it took the whole militia

to bring down those flying saucers.

But we did it.

Yes, we did it.

Where's Flannery?

He never misses an occasion to wheel out

that hero-of-the-day story of his.

Which one?

He's told 50 different versions of that story.

I've heard 'em so many times, I'm beginning to believe 'em.

All of them.

Look at that.

Still at my fighting weight.

Now wait just a minute!

Those are my prize roses!

W-what do you people think you're doing?

The, uh, New Jersey militia records here indicate

that there were 38 men in the Grover's Mill unit

in 1938.

Only four of them left.

You've got three of them right here.

With your permission,

we'd like to find out as much as we can

about what happened on Halloween night, 1938.

Are you boys from the government?

Yes, sir, we are. And it's our hope

to be able to learn firsthand

from your experience fighting the alien invaders.

We've been waiting 50 years to tell our story.

The real story.

Harv, Bill, you'll never believe what I saw.

They're back.

Those damned Martians are back.

Our warship is in surprisingly good condition.

I've ordered them to check out

all weapons and flight systems,

and report back to us

before they start their return flight.

I wish we'd decided to go with them.

I'm worried they will not do all that is necessary.

They'll do exactly what we ask of them.

They know nothing else.

In a matter of hours,

the most powerful weapon

this planet has ever seen will be again in our hands

and functional.

Those who come will be pleased.

Oh, they're back, are they?

It's just like it was 50 years ago.

Here we go again.

Flannery has somewhat of a vivid imagination.

Not today!

It's as clear as a bell.

I was in my bedroom putting on my uniform,

and I see this motorcycle gang in front of my house.

What do I see?

They're eating my prize-winning rosebuds.

They're eating your prize-winning rosebuds.

Well, last time

that happened was in 1938!

I'd-I'd woke up

and they'd eaten

the roses down to the roots.

I'm telling you.

The Martians are back!

Well, didn't you say it was a couple of space monsters that...

Sam! I'm telling you the Martians are back.

Only this time, they've got disguises.

Flan... come on!

Martians on motorcycles!?!

Harv, you dim-witted jackass!

I know what I saw!

It was them, all right!

I'd stake my reputation on that!

Well, it's impressive.

Oh, you damned fools!

Hey, Flannery!

These men are here interviewing us about the battle of '38!

Okay! You'll see... you'll see.

Would the person who left the alien at the hotdog stand

please pick him up?

His diaper needs changing.

I'm sitting up here nice and pretty,

nice and dry,

and that's the way I'm going to stay.

You're wasting your money and my time.

Whoa!

Oh! You're great at this!

Well, I used to be a pretty fair softball player.

Really?

Mm-hmm, I was a pitcher and I was darned good.

Mom, do you believe in aliens and all that stuff?

Yes. Yes, I do.

See, there's so many planets and stars in the universe,

it only makes sense

that there would be life out there somewhere.

Do you think they're green?

You're funny!

I love spending time with you.

I wish Dad were here.

Well, you'll have

a chance to spend time with him at Christmas.

That's not what I mean.

You know Daddy and I are much happier now that we're

not living together.

I liked it better

when you were together.

I know.

I know.

We must hurry before the ship is seen by the primitives.

It's not working.

That is evident.

We have a communiqué from the field.

They've experienced problems

and await further guidance.

Why is it the lower classes cannot think for themselves?

Our job is to think.

Their job is to do.

We must never confuse the two.

What is the nature of their problem?

There has been extensive damage.

So far they haven't been able

to make the warship function.

A situation we anticipated with dread,

but without clear solutions.

They must continue trying to fix the warship.

As well as test all the weapons systems.

We must make sure they understand

the importance of this.

They understand.

But I fear understanding alone will not be enough.

Should we remind them

of the punishment that comes with failure?

I lost my brother in the battle.

How did that happen, sir?

That zapper thing

that shot out of their flying saucers.

It vaporized him...

along with his car and his dog.

They had this gooseneck thing.

They'd shoot it off

and things would just vanish

from the face of this Earth.

Every report we have from the '53 invasion

says that they were unstoppable.

This appears to be the same weaponry.

It just keeps sounding to me that in '38,

it-it was just a mission, a scout group

ahead of the main alien invasion.

I think you're right.

How close to the real thing

was that Orson Welles radio show?

Nowhere near.

He trivialized one of the great moments of our life.

No one really remembered what happened.

All they remember is the damned radio show.

That's the fascinating aspect to all this.

You know, when you think about it, Welles was a genius.

He had people believing there was an invasion.

Then he turned around and told them that it was all a joke.

I think people were afraid to admit that they'd been taken.

That's what all this silence is about.

Dr. McCullough says

that those who can't remember the invasion

can't remember it because it was just too frightening

for them to deal with.

Sure, there were people who were tricked,

people who don't remember.

But then there's us,

who really remember.

I wish to hell I didn't.

Flannery, you all right?

I'm doing great.

Now some people think I'm running on empty,

but I know what I saw.

They're Martians, Harv.

I'd bet my life on it if I were you.

What are you gonna do?

Find me some proof.

This I gotta see.

The machine still won't fly, but the beam works.

We must get the beam back here as quickly as possible.

Nothing is more important than for us to retrieve the weapon.

They understand this,

but they're unsure how to accomplish getting it here.

Must we tell them everything?

If the ship won't fly,

we have no choice but to transport the weapon over land.

And if our comrades meet resistance?

Then we remind the puny earthlings how our death ray works.

Nothing can be allowed to delay their return.

Our very future rests in their hands.

- A - concept, I remind you,

that we should only accept with great trepidation.

I don't think I can eat this slop!

What's slop?

You're looking at it.

I think the Colonel, in his amusing way,

is referring to one of the more obscure definitions

of the word "slop," which means

badly cooked and unappetizing food.

Debi, other definitions would include...

Harrison, she's only 11.

Never too young to learn.

Never too old, either.

Listen, I've got good news.

Norton's on his way here.

He and the van are being airlifted

courtesy of Delta Force.

On whose authority?

Why, yours, Colonel.

Mine? Now wait a minute...

Talk to Norton.

Mom, may I go outside?

Yes, honey.

Don't go too far.

Now, this data

that we've collected from the veterans

of the invasion of '38 is absolutely fascinating.

They are convinced that nobody takes them seriously

because of that Orson Welles broadcast.

That's an intriguing connection.

Excuse me.

I've got to go find out about this airlift.

Forgot the check!

I want to talk to you, mister!

How the hell did you wheedle this?

Why, I told them it was

a national security item...

Presidential Priority.

I brought all the data.

You told them Presidential Priority

and used my name??

Worked like a charm.

I'm lost without my sound, huh? Oh.

I brought Dr. McCullough's microscope

and laser spectroscope,

and I brought your

picture of John Wayne.

That's not funny, mister.

You're just damned lucky I'm not your C.O.

Good afternoon!

Glad you could join us.

Norton, while you get set up,

I'm going to do some more interviewing,

and Suzanne and the Colonel are going

to check out the site of the Battle of '38.

As per job description,

I'm going to be collecting

biological specimens for comparative testing.

Hey, you don't have to explain yourself to me.

They said those

motorcycle people would be camping

at Thompson Meadow.

What do you expect to see there?

I know what I'm going to see.

I'll catch up.

I've got a nature call.

Damned things!

Martians.

They didn't listen to me.

Harv!

Harv!

Harv?

That night, my mother and I went for a walk.

We saw streaks across the sky.

It wasn't at all like the radio show.

It was real, Dr. Blackwood.

Terrifyingly real.

I told Mr. Welles what happened that

Halloween night but, for whatever reasons of his own,

he did it differently.

You spoke with Orson Welles?

Yes. I spent quite a lot of time with him.

Orson was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen...

Slender as a reed.

I was working on the newspaper

in those days, and he... And the two other men...

Came out here to do research for the radio program.

Excuse me. Did you say two other men?

From the government.

What were they doing with him?

From what Mr. Welles told me,

the government hired him to do this program

to divert attention from what really happened.

Do you mean that the whole War of the Worlds radio broadcast

was a government cover-up?

No, no. The government wanted to protect the people.

Mr. Welles was a patriot.

I hope Debi's going to be all right on her own for a while.

It's just a few hours. She'll be fine.

She is growing up.

Hello.

Afternoon, folks.

Sorry. You'll have to turn around.

The road's blocked up ahead. Mudslide.

The road's going to be closed for six hours.

Thank you very much, Officer.

Mudslide and no rain.

Let's go.

There's something strange going on here.

But what?

I don't know, but I think

we'd better get back to Grover's Mill.

So everything points to another government whitewash.

Kind of makes you proud to be an American.

You really believe that this woman is reliable?

Yes, I do.

I spoke to the local sheriff.

He wasn't informed of any roadblocks.

I knew something was wrong.

Doctor? Doctor.

Thank God I... I... I found you.

I saw it.

Those bike riders got one of them spaceships.

They dug it up from the ground.

They... they're Martians, and they must have left it here.

Mr. Flannery, this isn't the first

time you've seen Martians, is it?

Oh, I... I... I know all of the things

that you've heard about me, uh...

telling stories all the time, and exaggerating.

The point is, it's... it's gotten

so that people expect it of me.

For 50 years, I've been

telling everyone about how I saved all those people in '38

and, you see, uh... when I saw this space thing

come over the hill and over the treetops, um...

I got into my car and I went off.

I'm not proud of that, but it's true,

and I'm telling you the truth now.

I think they have my friend Harv, too.

See, he... I don't know... he just vanished. Uh...

Mr. Flannery.

Hmm?

I believe you.

Oh, thank God!

Blackwood, you know what they said about this man.

He sees Martians behind every tree.

And if he's right?

At best, it's a long shot.

And if he's right?

Better get the hell out there

and see what we're up against.

Oh, I never thought I'd be so glad to see your face.

Oh, I was worried sick, Harv.

I thought they got you.

Who the hell are "they"?

I turn my back for a minute,

and you drive off with the damn truck.

I had to hitch a ride

all the way back here.

I'm too old for this stuff.

Oh, button up, Harv!

Leave poor Flannery alone.

Did you see anything?

Plenty. Mr. Flannery was right.

It is an alien warship.

And those low-life bikers...

They're scurrying around it like worker ants.

They've taken the beam arm off the ship,

and they're trying to mount it onto the hearse.

Then it still must work.

I'm going to get us some back-up on this one.

What could the alien mission be?

Are they going to risk battle

with just one war machine?

This is Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.

I need to speak to General Wilson immediately.

It's a matter of national security.

Are they going to attack Grover's Mill?

And why?

Harrison,

I have to get Debi someplace where she'll be safe.

Yes. Absolutely.

Be careful.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Doctor?

Did you reach the general?

Yes. And he's authorized air support,

but all the birds are grounded,

and ground support is at least four hours away.

Not much help.

It looked like that death ray they were setting up

was just about ready to go.

We've got to stop whatever it is

they are planning to do.

New York City lies about 40 miles in that direction.

Well, we're going to have to set up a staging area

between them and the city.

If you don't mind my suggesting it,

my farm would be perfect.

Excellent. I'm going to need some supplies.

For?

I've got a plan.

We'll meet you at your farm, Mr. Flannery.

You hear that, boys?

My place is going to be a staging area.

If those aliens want to try us again,

we're ready for them. Right, Harv?

Where's Harv?

The primitives know of our existence.

They've alerted others.

They're planning to resist.

Do you know where they are?

I know where they are.

We are about to receive another report from the field.

Certainly they haven't encountered any new problems.

Can you hear me, Advocate?

Yes.

We still have to remove

the beam controls from the ship.

It will take us

a number of hours.

You are bound to be discovered.

We have been discovered.

Several of the Earthlings know we're here

and what we're doing.

If they interfere, eliminate them.

You are to take no prisoners.

Do what you must under the cover of darkness, comrade.

You can't afford to risk

further interference.

We are nothing without the beam.

Do not fail us.

Okay, we'll use the barn.

It's a large empty space... Flannery's barn.

Norton, do you have a parabola program?

I can create one. Takes about a week.

You've got an hour.

Okay?

Here we go. We need a hardware store.

We're going to need glass, lumber,

black spray paint, hammer, nails, rope, bungee cord.

We need some clay, silicone,

tinfoil, foam rubber and a tarpaulin.

Are you ready?

I'm waiting for you, Doctor.

Let's go!

This place is icky.

I hate it out here.

Honey, it'll be fun.

It's like being on safari.

Why can't we just drive?

We can shine our flashlights into the jungle and...

Oh, look. It's an elephant!

We can pretend to find treasure!

Buried treasure with credit cards!

But the natives are restless so...

why don't we go this way?

Okay. See if you can rustle up a truck.

Got it.

How are things going to work?

I'm going to work as a decoy

and bring them back here.

You and Harrison will be in the barn.

The Little Big Horn.

It worked once. It can work again.

Kind of a high-risk plan.

Kind of a high-risk situation.

Well, how much time do you figure I got

to work this baby out?

Yesterday.

Okay, let's talk parabolic parameters now.

Attention!

Grover's Mill Militia...

Minus one... Reporting for duty, sir.

One of our men presently is scouting the enemy.

Gentlemen, I think

maybe you should just clear the area.

It's gonna get a little dangerous around here.

Oh, no!

We, we want to serve, sir.

Gentlemen, with all due respect, I...

We beat 'em once before, Colonel.

We can beat 'em again.

They're... moving.

They're making for the highway.

I'm gonna need something to attract their attention.

All I could find in the hardware store were some flares.

Oh, I've got some dynamite in that shed over there.

That'll attract their attention.

Well, I thought you said

you wanted to beat them again!

Fall in, men.

Come on. Let's go.

Okay, men, this is the plan.

I'm gonna go out and decoy them back in here.

And when they're here?

Once in the barn,

you'll also have to protect Doctor Blackwood

and Norton and cover my flank.

You're going to have to be alert, men.

Very alert.

You can depend on us, sir.

Get your weapons.

Do you have enough dynamite?

Enough to blow your head off.

How did you like my roses...

Martian?

What are you talking about?

Are you out of your mind?

That's Harv!

Let's go, Martian.

Walk!

You finally rounded the bend.

I think it's time you two

better start believing me.

Let's go!

Just about got it?

Amusing.

How long, Norton?

Did anybody ask Einstein how long it would take

to finish his theory of relativity?

It doesn't work that way,

Harrison.

Great. I'll tell the aliens.

They're on their way.

I've got one for you.

We found him eating my roses.

You gonna believe him?

He's been right on so far.

I've got the Geiger counter here.

You've taken possession

of that body.

God, it's incredible.

Why are you doing this?

What do you... people want?

Where do you come from?

Why this planet...

that you came here from across the universe?

We're so different.

We've got so much to learn from each other.

There's enough universe for both of us to live in peace.

Let's kill him!

No! Having an alien in captivity

is too good an opportunity to miss.

Do you have someplace we can keep him?

We can throw him in my meat locker.

He'll never get out of that.

It's useless for you to resist.

Oh, is it?!

You can never win.

You were beaten at Grover's Mill once.

It'll happen again.

You are but fungus before us.

If we could just open a dialogue.

There can be no dialogue with fungus, only death.

Take him out of here!

And keep him under guard!

He's getting away!

Sorry, Harv!

Move the left

three-quarter panel to 34 degrees.

Harrison, what happens

if the energy beam zaps the gismo?

Let's try and be positive, Norton!

I hate those kind of answers, Harrison.

Come on! Come on!

There he goes!

Get him!

What about our orders?

Get him!!

Move the one next to it to 16 degrees

and the one above that to 34 degrees.

They're here!

They're coming!

Bring 'em on!

I'll think of my friend Harv when I wear this.

I want you to know

that what happened to Harv

could have just as easily happened to me.

It was the luck of the draw.

Thank you, Colonel.

I understand what you're saying, sir.

For both your sakes,

I wish we had given this to you 50 years ago.

Harrison!

Oh, thank God you're all okay!

We had to drive back this morning.

Are you sure it's over?

It's over.

It's over for now.

Trick or treat!