WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953)

Directed by: Byron Haskin
Written by: Barre Lyndon
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne, Lewis Martin
Rated: G

About the film:
An interesting scientific discovery – a meteor crashing just outside a small community – turns into a massive alien invasion as seemingly indestructible Martian ships attack major cities around the world. Mankind struggles to resist and counterattack but nothing seems to work against these technologically advanced invaders.

Movie Quote:
“After all that men could do had failed, the Martians were destroyed and humanity saved by the littlest things which God in His wisdom had put upon the Earth.”
Narrator (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) in War of the Worlds (1953)

Bible Quote:
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
1 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV)

Commentary:
War of the Worlds offers more than science fiction entertainment – it provides a reminder that man is not all-knowing or all-powerful. But we do have access to the One who is. And often His solution to a problem is something that we might have never considered were it not for His guidance.

What God esteems as being great, most desirable, or most needful is often contradictory to the values or ideals that man will build in his mind. Sometimes, something which we might view as being small and insignificant is the very thing that God will use to bring victory to a situation.

David defeated the more powerful Goliath, not with an army or superior strength but with a small rock and great believing. God directed Gideon to overcome the stronger and more powerful Midianites, not with swords and spears but with trumpets and empty pitchers.

In our sci-fi movie example, all of man’s ingenuity and invention had failed to repel their invaders. What turned the tide was something so small as to be invisible to man. It is a reminder to us that whenever we are faced with obstacles or difficulties in our lives, we need to let God direct our steps that will lead us to deliverance.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What other examples (from the Bible or from your own life) can you point to that illustrates the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:27?
2. Why does God sometimes choose the least obvious methods to accomplish His desires? What is He telling us by doing so?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com