Rent Things to Come (1936)

Better than expected - Things to Come review by MD

It was better than I expected considering it was made in 1936. Unfortunately the sound quality was less than perfect, so much of the ideas behind it were lost to me.

Sci-fi Epic (spoiler). - Things to Come review by Steve

Landmark science fiction behemoth adapted by HG Wells from his own novel, which looks into the next hundred years. It's significant that the director was usually an art director because the most memorable aspects of the film are the extraordinary, huge sets of the cities of the future. The oratorical acting of the cast is of lesser interest.

Wells goes straight into the blitz, and then predicts a long period of continual warfare and the breakdown of civilisation brought on by diseases triggered by biological weapons. Mankind regresses into another dark age. This is the most interesting part of the film, and anticipates the dystopia of post nuclear films.

Tribal warfare is eventually replaced by a new scientific order of democracy and equality, which is never entirely free of superstition. The actors exchange long editorials which are sometimes interesting, but not very cinematic. Perhaps Wells might have collaborated with an experienced screenwriter, but these oddities are part of the attraction.

Though the film is long winded, Alexander Korda's production is never less than magnificent, including the rousing score by Arthur Bliss. The vision is pessimistic, which is understandable in a country sliding into another major war. But the story ends with humans about to explore space, and the possibility of a brave new world in the stars.