The War of the Worlds

‘Martian War Machine’
fiberglass, paint, metal, resin
22 x 24¹⁄₂ x 20 in (55.9 x 62.2 x 50.8 cm.)
executed second half 20^th century

A replica Martian War Machine from The War of the Worlds: an iconic design from the collection of science fiction collector and historian Forrest J Ackerman.

The original Martian War Machine props for the 1953 production of The War of the Worlds were designed by Albert Nozaki (1912-2003) and are celebrated for their uniquely menacing appearance. Unlike the stereotypical flying saucers, these machines were designed to resemble manta rays, giving them a more sinister and alien look.

The three originals for the 1953 production were made of copper and subsequently melted down, with the present example believed to have been produced later for the Ackerman collection. However, in the 1990s there was evidently a feeling that the prop was original to the film. It is accompanied by a letter from special effects artist John Deall, in which he writes: 'When I restored this prop for Forrest J. Ackerman in 1993, I took note of many elements that would prove the prop to have been an original prop from the 1953 film War of the Worlds, which was also modified and used in the subsequent 1963 film Robinson Crusoe on Mars [...] It was my firsthand observance that the fiberglass body of the prop was fabricated with a type of "gel-coat" exterior that is not used [...] in contemporary props. Further, the internal riggings had been modified for electronics that mark this prop as having been lit and used in the film Robinson Crusoe on Mars [...] It is common knowledge that the only remaining War Machine from the film War of the Worlds (all others were melted down for their copper) was cannibalized and used in the Robinson Crusoe on Mars film.'

Private Collection
Acquired by the present owner from the above