Battle of the Worlds

(1961)

Science Fiction

84 minutes

Directed by Anthony Dawson

Cast:  Bill Carter, Claude Rains, Maya Brent

A wandering planet is hurtling towards Earth, but as it nears it goes into orbit instead of smashing into mankind.  A scientist (Claude Rains) warns that there may be more to this than it seems, but his opinions are ignored until what seems like a dead planet launches a fleet of saucers to attack the approaching spacecraft sent in to investigate.

Often considered ahead of its time with both its premise and its special effects, the Chesley Bonestell spaceship models battling the saucers make this one of the earliest space operas depicting dog-fighting ships in space.