The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.
- Roxana
- (as Margueretta Scott)
- …
- Richard Gordon
- (as Derrick de Marney)
- World Transport Official
- (uncredited)
- Irishman
- (uncredited)
- The Airman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- H.G. Wells(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBefore filming started, author H.G. Wells told everyone connected with the film how much he'd hated Fritz Lang's film Metropolis (1927) and how he wanted them to do the opposite of what Lang (whom he called "Lange") and his crew had done.
- GoofsIn Everytown in 1970 industrial production has ceased, but the Boss's men still are able to go into battle against the Hill People with firearms, including machine guns, which couldn't be used without an industrial infrastructure to produce ammunition for them.
However, this takes place about four years after the end of the war and there would likely still be lots of military equipment and ammunition available.
- Quotes
Oswald Cabal: There! There they go. That faint beam of light.
Raymond Passworthy: I feel that what we've done is monstrous.
Oswald Cabal: What they've done is magnificent.
Raymond Passworthy: Will they come back?
Oswald Cabal: Yes, and go again and again, until a landing is made and the moon is conquered. This is only a beginning.
Raymond Passworthy: And if they don't come back? My son and your daughter. What of that, Cabal?
Oswald Cabal: Then presently, others will go.
Raymond Passworthy: Oh, God, is there never to be any age of happiness? Is there never to be any rest?
Oswald Cabal: Rest enough for the individual man. Too much and too soon, and we call it death. But for Man, no rest and no ending. He must go on, conquest beyond conquest. First this little planet and its winds and ways. And then all the laws of mind and matter that restrain him. Then the planets about him... and at last, out across immensity to the stars. And when he has conquered all the deeps of Space, and all the mysteries of Time, still he will be beginning.
Raymond Passworthy: But we're such little creatures. Poor humanity's so fragile, so weak. Little... little animals.
Oswald Cabal: Little animals. And if we're no more than animals, then we must snatch each little scrap of happiness, and live and suffer and pass, mattering no more than all the other animals do or have done. It is this, or that - all the Universe or nothingness! Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?
- Crazy creditsDuring the opening credits, as the title is revealed, the shadow over the letters is removed as if the clouds in the background are blowing past it.
- Alternate versionsAvailable in a colorized version on DVD and Blu-ray.
- ConnectionsEdited into Murder on Diamond Row (1937)
- SoundtracksThe First Noel
(uncredited)
Traditional 18th Century Cornish Christmas Carol
Arranged by Arthur Bliss
[Heard during opening montage]
*** (out of 4)
In 1935 a World War breaks out and this here lasts for nearly three decades. As civilization breaks down and destroys itself, the war eventually comes to an end and then we see how it's rebuilt into the future.
H.G. Wells' was rather lucky as he was able to adapt his novel into the screenplay that this movie was based on. It has been reported that Wells' was quite unhappy with a lot of the films that were based on his work so you've got to think that he was very pleased at the chance to adapt his own material. THINGS TO COME is a film that was in public domain Hell for decades but it was eventually restored to a beautiful print and this here is the best way to view the film.
When you get to see the film with a great print the first thing that jumps out at you are the terrific special effects. It's very fair to say that the sci-fi genre really hadn't seen anything like this since Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS and while this film never gets as great as that one, there's no question that the visuals are quite thrilling. This here is especially true during the final thirty-minutes when we get all of the futuristic material. The sets, costume design and the effects are just beautiful to look at and you can't help but be amazed at the craft.
The film basically takes place at different eras and I thought this was an interesting way to tell the story. The direction by William Cameron Menzies is certainly very good but there are some flaws with the film. This includes it being extremely preachy and to the point where it gets a bit annoying at times. Another problem with the film is that some of the performances are rather weak. With that being said, those flaws are what they are but the reason to see THINGS TO COME is for the special effects and they still hold up after all these years.
- Michael_Elliott
- Sep 18, 2018
- How long is Things to Come?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- £300,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1