Sep 272022
 

When Worlds Collide is an entertaining enough 1950s sci-fi disaster thriller that isn’t great and only scrapes at the human element and the end of the world, however it’s a short watch and the performances weren’t half bad for what it is.

 

 

When Worlds Collide
(1951)


Genre(s): Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller
Paramount| G – 82 min. | September 27, 2022

Date Published: 09/27/2022 | Author: The Movieman


MOVIE INFO:
Director: Rudolph Maté
Writer(s): Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie (novel); Sydney Boehm (screenplay)
Cast: Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, Peter Hansen, John Hoyt, Larry Keating


DISC INFO:
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Slip Cover: Yes
Digital Copy: Yes
Formats Included: Blu-ray
Number of Discs: 1


Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 1.0), German (Dolby Digital 1.0), French (Dolby Digital 1.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Video: 1080p/Full Frame 1.33
Subtitles: English SDH, French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Disc Size: 22.88 GB
Total Bitrate: 36.45 Mbps
Codecs: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A


Paramount provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.

THE MOVIE — 2¾/5


Plot Synopsis: After Dr. Bronson (HAYDEN RORKE) discovers Zyra, a new planet, fellow astronomer Dr. Hendron (LARRY KEATING) checks Bronson’s data and reaches the horrifying conclusion that Bellus, a star in Zyra’s orbit, is doomed to crash into the earth within a matter of months. Meanwhile, Hendron’s daughter, Joyce (BARBARA RUSH), has grown fond of pilot David Randall (RICHARD DERR), and pleads to have him brought along as a small group is relocated to Zyra to avoid the impending mass destruction.

Quick Hit Review: When Worlds Collide is a sometimes cheesy yet still entertaining 1950s era science fiction disaster film with some moderately decent effects, alongside the absolutely adorable miniatures and one terrible matte painting at the end. The plot isn’t anything noteworthy however it does deal with some issues like the human element with the idea of the planet coming to an end. The performances aren’t anything special but lead Richard Derr acquits himself well enough.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES – ½/5


This is part of the The War of the Worlds/When Worlds Collide double feature and comes with a slip cover and is part of the “Paramount Presents” line (#35). Inside are codes for both films. The only feature for this film was the Theatrical Trailer (2:00).

 

VIDEO – 4¼/5


Paramount releases When Worlds Collide onto Blu-ray for the first time, presented here in its original 1.33 full frame aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. The picture here looks quite good, detail is pretty good especially for the close-ups and colors are generally vibrant and well balanced. I didn’t notice any obvious signs of artifacts or aliasing and it appears clean, free of dust marks, scratches or other film damage.

AUDIO – 4/5


The movie comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track which offers up good dialogue levels and there is some decent depth for a singular channel track and there weren’t obvious pops, hissing or other aural ailments.

 

OVERALL – 3/5


When Worlds Collide is an entertaining enough 1950s sci-fi disaster thriller that isn’t great and only scrapes at the human element and the end of the world, however it’s a short watch and the performances weren’t half bad for what it is.

 

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