The War Of The Worlds Live : Special Edition (2 disc) [DVD]

I can only assume if you far enough to read this review, you are a fan, or at least an owner, of the album of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of `The War of the Worlds'. If you are, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised what a fantastic job they did bringing this to the stage so true to its original form, and then of course on to DVD. If not in on what its all about, then I urge you to still watch this - it's a unique album, and a unique stage experience.

The show itself uses a mixture of elements. The orchestra and the band are on stage, and various characters walk on and act and sing their roles. This all works very well, with a dramatic backdrop of sub-cinema standard cgi graphics going on, on the massive screen behind the orchestra. In addition, a large almost life sized Martian's Fighting Machine has been made, and even Richard Burton is featured - not just his voice, but an animated projection of his head, on a large sculpted bust hung above the stage. In fact, these two much-hyped elements of the show are the weakest. If you can't have the real Richard Burton, they should have stuck to his voice, instead of a rather unconvincingly animated photograph. And the Fighting Machine has undeniable scale, but for all that adds little to proceedings.

No, the star of the show is the music and the musicians. There are some of the original participants involved.. some of the musicians involved were on the original album, such as Justin Hayward singing the ever popular `Forever Autumn', and Chris Thompson reprising his `Thunder Child'. The other participants are now either dead or too old for the roles.. so we have (surprisingly) Russell Watson playing the Parson, and the less well known but perfectly cast Tara Blaise as Beth his wife, and the excellent Alexis James as the artilleryman - who may even be better than David Essex' version!

So apart from the show, what else is present on the two disc version..? Well, this is where the DVD crosses over from being an interesting rental to a worthwhile purchase.

There are a multitude of extras - some of them the usual `This-is-how-we-made-it' publicity, and some uninvolving talking heads. However, there is a one hour long documentary of the tour, which is amazingly candid. This shows the principal contributors from an early stage as they start rehearsing, through to the first night and some footnotes from the end of the brief tour. Worthwhile moments are - the tension as the original cgi efforts do not impress, Russell Watson acting surprisingly childishly, and seeing some of the rather excellent unsung heroes - the understudies.. the male understudy actually had to understudy all 4 male parts, and when Watson twists his ankle he is called upon and succeeds admirably. The final conversation with Wayne suggest the show could be back - a tantalising thought for all those like me who missed it this time round.

All in all - timeless music, great musicians, and a pretty good show with excellent sound, packaged with genually entertaining extras - what's not to like?

Having been a fan of the Musical since it's first release in the late 70's and then the CD in the 80's I had always wanted to see a live stage version of this.
When it was announced that Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds was to go on the road I wondered how they would pull it off.
I must admit I rushed to buy tickets and waited in anticipation for the night of the stage show.
Well the night came and I have to admit that I was not disappointed. The show was a complete success. Well done to everyone involved.

The DVD of the show does not disappoint either. The complete show is included along with many interviews with Jeff Wayne and members of the cast.
There are several audio selections including 5.1 surround sound.

The 30th anniversary edition of the DVD includes the war of the worlds novel and art card and promo flyer.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves the musical and has not been able to go along to a live show or to anyone who loves good music.

Oh yeah and......... what a great price.

Like another reviewer, I first heard the original album about 30 years ago, and I have continued to play it over the years...ultimately replacing it with the CD and still playing it often (such as this morning while driving to work).

Please be forewarned-if you are one of the original 12 million album owners, then you will quickly become addicted to this production. Unbelieveably, Mr. Wayne has actually improved on the original, and the sound quality is extraordinary.