War of the Worlds 1988-90

Produced by Paramount Television for broadcast in the U. S. and Britain 1988-1990, 44 episodes of one hour each, in two seasons.

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This television series inspired by producer Greg Strangis used the end of the 1953 George Pal film as starting point. It was filmed in Canada for about $680,000 per episode. "The pilot episode 'The Resurrection' begins with terrorists- called the People's Liberation Army- invading and taking over a nuclear waste facility called Fort Jericho. Unfortunately for them, they have also caused the waste from the storage drums to seep on the top of barrels stored at the facility since 1953. These barrels contain the bodies of aliens believed to be dead from the invasion of 1953. However, the radiation awakens them and helps them to revive from their 35 year hibernation. Quickly, the aliens possess the terrorists and continue their mission under the leadership of a triad known as the Advocacy. At the same time, microbiologist, Suzanne McCullough has been hired to work with Dr. Harrison Blackwood. She later meets the third member of the team- Norton Drake. Norton picks up on the alien transmissions that eminated from Fort Jericho and Suzanne and Harrison are off. There, they meet Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse. After seeing many 1953 barrels missing, Harrison knows that the aliens have been revived. Harrison and Suzanne go to Suzanne's uncle- General Henry Wilson about the situation but he quickly dismisses them. Then Ironhorse, Harrison and Suzanne meet up in a country farmhouse. Sadly, Ironhorse's Delta Squad rush the farmhouse and are all either possessed or murdered immediately. Luckily, Ironhorse, Suzanne and Harrison escape the aliens grasp. General Wilson agrees that something must be done and gives Harrison government backing, a secure base called the Cottage, and Ironhorse is the head of security to protect Harrison, Suzanne, Norton, and Debi- who is Suzanne's daughter. Norton tracks more alien transmissions, which leads Ironhorse, Suzanne and Harrison to Kellogue Air Force Base- where three alien War Machines are stored. The team plant explosives inside the ships while the Advocacy plots to get their ships back. Ironhorse's possessed soldiers enter the base and board the ships. They notice the fleeing humans and pursue them. But the explosives destroy each ship just in the nick of time. Back at the Cottage, everyone looks pleased and is ready to put the events behind them. Harrison looks at them, "Is it really over?" and glares at the night sky. The Advocacy mourn their loss but promise that they will have Earth ready for their fellow colonists." (quote from To Life Immortal website)

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revised 6/23/05 by Steven Schoenherr at the University of San Diego | Filmnotes