The plot of H.G. Wells "Things to Come" centers on the careers of two men: John Cabal, leader of the, technocrats who set up the world state, and his grandson Oswald Cabal, who has to deal with a reactionary backlash. The film concentrates on attacking the horrors of war while promoting a new planned, technological society. 'Planning' was the great panacea of the 1930s, the time of this film's creation. It was based on faith in the efficacy of reason and science to tackle and overcome whatever problems faced a nation. This idea of a future Eutopia based on science would later become a tenant idea of Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek" program.

The Cast

Raymond Massey - John Cabal/Oswald Cabal
Edward Chapman - Pippa Passworthy/Raymond Passworthy
Ralph Richardson - The Boss
Margaretta Scott - Roxana/Rowena
Cedric Hardwicke - Theotocopulos
Maurice Braddell - Dr. Harding
Sophie Stewart - Mrs. Cabal
Derrick De Marney - Richard Gordon
Ann Todd - Mary Gordon

The Production Team

Director: William Cameron Menzies.
Producer: Alexander Korda.
Script: H.G. Wells. (from the novel The Shape of Things to Come)
Cinematography: Georges Périnal.
Special Effects: Lawrence W. Butler, Edward Cohen, Ross Jacklin, Ned Mann, Wally Veevers and Harry Zech.
Editing: Charles Crichton and Francis D. Lyon.
Art Direction: Vincent Korda.
Costume Design: John Armstrong, René Hubert and Marchioness of Queensbury.
Music: Arthur Bliss.
Music Direction: Muir Mathieson.

Year: 1936
Country: United Kingdom


Media Format: DVD-R
Regional Code: 0 (All Regions/Countries).
Video Format: NTSC (North America/Japan)
Audio: Mono.
Picture Format: Full Screen.

Video Source Quality Rating: B+