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When Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide (1951)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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63

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 2,855

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Movie Info

First published in 1932, Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille. But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment, the property lay on the shelf until 1950, when producer George Pal was casting about for a follow-up to his successful sci-fier Destination Moon. Though the film was top-heavy with special effects, Pal was able

G, 1 hr. 21 min.

Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Sydney Boehm

Sep 25, 2001

Paramount Pictures

Cast

Critic Reviews for When Worlds Collide

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (7) | DVD (11)

This probably looks about as stodgy now as it did back then.

June 7, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Top honors for this inter-planetary fantasy rest with the cameramen and special effects technicians rather than with performances of the non-name cast.

June 7, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Mr. Pal barely gets us out there, but this time he doesn't bring us back.

March 25, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Too bad the finale plays like a greeting card you wish someone had just given you the money for instead.

October 9, 2011 Full Review Source: Suite101.com | Comment
Rob Humanick
Suite101.com

Best appreciated for its apocalyptic special effects.

November 11, 2010 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Cinema's most neurasthenic version of the apocalypse

October 21, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion | Comment
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

If the naive dramatic situations and trite idealism can be ignored, the viewer is in for an amazing spectacle of special effects.

June 7, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Never mind plot logic, don't think too hard about the 'sci' component of the sci-fi, and certainly keep the unsubtle sociology and Pal's typical Bible-based gloss in perspective. When Worlds Collide remains entertaining and satisfying....

April 5, 2006 Full Review Source: DVDJournal.com | Comment
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com

Paramount's DVD edition of When Worlds Collide has no special features, but it should please the film's fans all the same.... The Technicolor palette is rich and true.... Even the theatrical trailer looks great.

April 5, 2006 Full Review Source: DVDJournal.com | Comment
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com

George Pal's production is better remembered for its apocalyptic special effects than for the perfunctory dialogue, but the gripping story keeps you watching.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment
Time Out Source: Time Out

It has . . . a trailer.

May 17, 2004 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | Comment
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

Totally outdated by now . . .

May 17, 2004 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | Comment
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

Dated but enjoyable end of the world flick

August 21, 2002 Comment
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for When Worlds Collide

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I know that this movie is not usually regarded as one of the classic or best sci-fi movies of the 50s, even the early 50s, but I think it's highly underrated. Give it a chance and see what you think. The special effects are really very spectacular, especially when you read about how they made the movie. The story

September 5, 2010
ajv2688
AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

This is not your typical low-budget 50's sci-fi thriller. The effects here, with the possible exception of the final scene, are stunning. This is global Armageddon with style! Nostalgic, but still technologically impressive.

January 20, 2009
flixsterman
Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

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Latest News for When Worlds Collide

March 22, 2006:
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December 6, 2005:
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Foreign Titles

  • When Worlds Collide (1951) (DE)
  • When Worlds Collide (1951) (UK)
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