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When Worlds Collide (1951)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 6/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 5

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

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 2,850

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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

Directed By: Rudolph Mat�

Written By: Sydney Boehm

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1951 Wide

On DVD: Sep 25, 2001

Paramount Pictures

Cast

Richard Derr
Dave Randall
Barbara Rush
Joyce Hendron
Peter Hanson
Dr. Tony Drake
John Hoyt
Sydney Stanton
Larry Keating
Dr. Cole Hendron
Judith Ames
Julie Cummings
Alden 'Stephen' Chase
Dr. Dean George Frey
Frank Cady
Harold Ferris
Hayden Rorke
Dr. Emery Bronson
Sandro Giglio
Dr. Ottinger
Mary Murphy
Student
Laura Elliot
Stewardess
Kirk Alyn
Gertrude Astor
Traveler
Gene Collins
Newsdealer
James Congdon
Eddie Garson
Marcel dela Brosse
Headwaiter
Arthur Gilmore
Paul
Ramsay Hill
Frenchman
Rudy Lee
Mike
Freeman Lusk
Rudolph Marston
Joseph Mell
Glen Spiro
Leonard Mudie
British UN Representati...
Gay Nelson
Leda
John Ridgely
Chief Airport Inspector
Frances Sanford
Alice Secretary
James Seay
Donovan Reporter at Air...
Queenie Smith
Matron with Cigarette
Robert Sully
Stuart Whitman
Student
Paul H. Frees
Narrator
W. Wallace Kelley
Estelle Etterre
Traveler
Sam Finn
Traveler
Charmienne Harker
Hassan Khayyam
Indian Chairman
William Meader
Clerk
Richard Vath
Student
Keith Richards (II)
Stanley
Harry Stanton
Dr. Zenta
Keith Richards (I)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

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