HG Wells - The War Of The Worlds

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (320kbs-m4a/371mb/2hrs40mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd to 9th January 2023

Sci-fi novel by HG Wells first published in 1898.

Starring Paul Daneman and Martin Jarvis.

Dramatised in six parts by Jon Manchip White.

Sound score by David Cain, BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Producer: John Powell

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in June/July 1967.

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 1. THE RED PLANET (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd January 2023

"I was in it from the start, but up till now I've never cared to discuss the horrible affair..."

Scientist John Nicholson recalls the horrifying events in the night sky signalling an invasion of Earth.

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
Ogilvy .... Martin Jarvis
Sir James Stent .... Harold Kasket
Sergeant Holroyd .... Alan Dudley
First Boy - LeRoy Lingwood
Second Boy .... Brian Hewlett

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 2. THE HEAT RAY (320kbs-m4a/61mb/26mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd January 2023

'The first "falling star" arrived - a huge comet which left a vivid green trail blazoned across the sky, a trail which heralded, had we only known it, the disasters ahead.'

Early signs of impending calamity...

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
Ogilvy .... Martin Jarvis
Sir James Stent .... Harold Kasket
First Officer .... Christopher Bidmead
Second Officer .... Ronald Herdman
Third Officer .... Ian Thompson
Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 3. THE FIGHTING MACHINES (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th January 2023

"We thought it was a meteorite at first, but it wasn't... it was a huge metal cylinder-and inside..."

As the aliens take hold on Earth, John Nicholson recalls the devastation he witnessed.

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora Nicholson .... Isabel Rennie
The Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
The Colonel .... Ronald Herdman
The Corporal .... Frank Henderson
The Old Gentleman .... Walter Fitzgerald
Crowd .... Alan Dudley/Carole Boyd/Rolf Lefebvre

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 4. THE BLACK SMOKE (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 5th January 2023

'I tripped and fell right in the path of the Fighting-Machines, expecting to be crushed out of existence in a hideous instant...'

John Nicholson witnesses the Martians invasion as they creep from their vast space cylinders.

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
The Parson .... Peter Sallis

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 5. THE RED WEED (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th January 2023

'I stared down at the crumpled body of the parson. I had killed him - and then I heard a sound that terrified me.'

John Nicholson recalls more of the unfolding Martian horror...

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson
First Spokesman .... Denys Hawthorne
Second Spokesman .... Anthony Hall

HG WELLS - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 6. THE BACILLUS (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th January 2023

'We're going to earth. We're going underground - literally - into the sewers!'

All seems lost with the invaders victorious.

But could the smallest of creatures come to humanity's aid?

John Nicholson concludes the tale of Martian horror.

John Nicholson .... Paul Daneman
Dora, his wife .... Isabel Rennie
The Lieutenant .... Anthony Jackson

With:
Beth Boyd
Alan Dudley