OUTSTANDING FILM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1936, Page 10

OUTSTANDING FILM.

WELLS' VISION OF FUTURE. "Tilings To Come," which opens tomorrow at the Regent Theatre, was produced by Alexander Korda, leading filmmaker of Great Britain, and written by H. G. Wells, author of some 60 volumes of history and fiction, and is claimed to be the biggest picture to ever come out of Great Britain. It represents the gr#itest outlay of time, energy and 'ingenpty ever expended on such a spectacle. In "Things To Come," Wells shows the annihilating effects of the next world war and the reconstruction of the world on a scientific basis. He visualises a new race, living in beautiful landscaped surroundings in underground cities, free from disease, war and economic disturbances. An answer to the questions whether men or women will rule the universe, or whether machines will rule both, is revealed in the fabulous new world that H. G. Wells foresees for the twenty-first century. The prophetic genius of the novelist deals with many other perplexing problems of to-day, and gives a human picturisation of the world 100 years from now. Briefly, we see in the film the world destroyed, civilisation falling into decay, pestilence and famine sweeping the universe and mankind reverting to the primitive. Then a new era commences, and airmen reconquer the world. It is the birth of tho superman, with science creat 4 ing the World State. We see towering cities of glass, and such things as television a commonplace; monster guns 1500 ft high, sending rockets with passengers to the moon, in one of the most powerful stories that has over been told on the screen. The picture is said to mark a turning point of modern motion picture production. It is nn event that signalises the beginning of a new decade in screen entertainment. Naturally, such an outstanding feature calls for an outstanding cast, which is supplied in Sir Cedric Hardwickc, Raymond Maesey, Ralph Richardson, and Margaretta Scott. Thousands of extra players are seen, and in the closing scenes provide a tremendous climax to the film when they storm the base of a space gun from which two of the inhabitants of Wells' world have volunteered to be shot to the moon.