"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."

Somewhat under-rated 'sequel' to the 1953 movie in which marauding Martian invaders were stopped at the 11th hour by a common bacteria.

Now, 35 years on, the stored remains of the alien invaders (no longer referred to as Martians) are re-activated by irradiated toxins during a terrorists attack on a nuclear waste dump. Coming alive, the creatures kill the terrorists and 'absorb' their bodies. In this way, the aliens can carry out their mission undetected, although the rapid effects of radiation poisoning are soon noticeable to the naked eye, making it necessary for the aliens to constantly take over new human bodies, as they resume their plan to conquer the Earth.

A combination of The Invaders and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this US series blended often gruesome shocks -when killed, the bodies dissolved into a slimy mess- with some elegantly subtle touches.

In one early episode, Eye For An Eye, takes as its premise that the notorious 1938 Orson Welles radio broadcast of H.G. Well's original story was in fact a government cover-up for a real invasion.

(Click on the spaceship to hear the death ray!)

These aliens are totally ruthless, as they strive to strengthen their foothold on Earth, seeking out their old spaceships. Led by a trinity of leaders known as the Advocacy -these aliens also have a disturbing knack of beating the good guys to the punch. It's an invasion by stealth, but it seems unstoppable. As many episodes end on a downbeat note as on an optimistic one.

Leading the Earth fightback is renowned astrophysicist Dr. Harrison Blackwood, whose parents died in the 1953 invasion. He's helped by his paraplegic friend and computer whiz Norton Drake and microbiologist Suzanne McCullough who constantly strives to find a strain of bacteria that could defeat the aliens. Military muscle and combat strategy are provided by tough soldier and Cherokee Indian Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse. Other semi-regular characters include Suzanne's teenage daughter Debi, and a kindly housekeeper, Mrs Pennyworth.

Ratings were not good enough to justify a second season but what emerged instead was a whole new show built around several of the original characters, battling a new wave of alien enemies, the Morthren.

War of the Worlds, Mark 2, subtitled The Second Invasion, began with the virtual destruction of The Blackwood Project and the deaths of two team members, Ironhorse and Norton Drake. With the aid of a maverick ex-soldier, Kincaid, the remaining trio of Harrison, Suzanne and Debi take to the road, eventually setting up a new base in an old military command bunker.

Meanwhile, newly-arrived humanoid aliens are destroying the old Advocacy for their failure to prepare our planet for colonisation, and leadership is assumed by the powerful military commander Maltzor and chief scientist Mana. These chilling new invaders can also create clones of humans to take the place of real people and do their bidding. The usual sparring continues until the final episode when Maltzor's personal ambitions are exposed by his own people. He dies in a climatic shoot-out and the invasion is finally called off.

In the U.K. the series was released by CIC Video for the Rental market before being shown on television. Five volumes were released. Volume 1: The Resurrection, Volume 2: The Walls Of Jericho and Thy Kindom Come, Volume 3: A Multitude Of Idols and Eye For An Eye, Volume 4: Dust To Dust and Goliath Is My Name, and Volume 5: The Second Seal and Choirs Of Angels.

Season one has been shown in the U.K. in late-night slots around the ITV regions, from 1991. It had been heavily edited to remove some of the more gruesome scenes. Season two was first shown in the Central ITV region in 1996, some seven years after it was made.

During the first transmission, the pilot episode was shown as one feature-length film. The second season episode The True Believer was not shown during its initial run.

Transmission Guide

Season One

Season Two

War Of The Worlds Season 1 DVD Box Set on Sale Now! (Region 1 U.S.A. & Canada)

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