World Without End is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Edward Bernds and starring Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates and Rod Taylor.
The plot of the film follows a crew of astronauts who, during a space flight, are accidentally catapulted into the future to the year 2508. Here, they discover that the Earth has been devastated by an atomic war and that the surviving humans are forced to live in a primitive and tribal society.
The astronauts join a group of survivors and try to adjust to their new life in this one post-apocalyptic world. Together, they try to find out what happened to their world and how they can go back in time.
The film was one of the first to deal with topics such as time travel and the nuclear apocalypse. While it received mixed reviews upon its release, it is now regarded as a classic of the 1950s sci-fi genre.
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Plot
The plot of the film World Without End follows a group of astronauts who, during a space flight, are accidentally catapulted into the future to the year 2508. Here, they discover that the Earth has been devastated by an atomic war and that the surviving humans are forced to live in a primitive and tribal society.
The astronauts, led by Captain John Borden (played by Hugh Marlowe), explore this new Earth and meet a group of survivors who live in a cave. These survivors, including a woman named Garnet (played by Nancy Gates), are left without advanced technology and are trying to survive in a primitive world.
The astronaut team joins the survivors and tries to adjust to their new life in this post-apocalyptic world. Together, they try to find out what happened to their world and how they can go back in time. Over the course of the film, they discover that the world has been destroyed in a nuclear war and that humanity is forced to start anew.
The astronauts, together with the survivors, also discover the existence of mutant creatures that threaten their safety. After a series of encounters with these creatures, the astronauts and the survivors decide to build a fortress to defend themselves.
The plot takes place in an atmosphere of tension and adventure, in which the group of astronauts tries to adapt to their new life and to find a solution to go back in time. Eventually, they manage to find a way back in time, but are faced with a difficult choice about their future.
Movie Characters
Here are the main characters of the movie World Without End:
Captain John Borden, played by Hugh Marlowe – the leader of the astronaut group who is accidentally catapulted into the future.
Garnet, played by Nancy Gates – a survivor who lives in a cave with other survivors and becomes friends with the astronauts.
Herbert Ellis, played by Nelson Leigh – a member of the astronaut team.
Dr. Eldon Galbraithe, played by Rod Taylor – another member of the astronaut team.
Deena, played by Shawn Smith – another survivor who lives in the cave with Garnet.
Celeste, played by Lisa Montell – a survivor who is part of Garnet’s group.
Lord Proc, played by Everett Glass – a tribal chief who meets the astronaut group.
These are just some of the main characters in the film, but there are other survivors and mutant creatures that appear throughout the story as well.
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Production
The film World Without End was produced by Allied Artists Pictures Corporation and directed by Edward Bernds. The screenplay was written by Edward Bernds and is based on a short story by Hugh B. Cave.
The film was shot entirely in the United States, primarily in Bronson Canyon in Los Angeles County, California. The film was produced by producer Richard V. Heermance.
The film’s budget was not very high, as was often the case for science fiction films of the 1950s, but the production was able to create a futuristic vision of the Earth devastated by a nuclear war, using low-cost special effects and elaborate costumes.
The film was released in US theaters on April 25, 1956 and was well received by the public, becoming a classic of the science fiction genre of the 1950s.
Distribution and Reception
World Without End was released in U.S. theaters on April 25, 1956 by Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. The film achieved moderate success with audiences and received positive reviews from critics of the time.
In particular, the film was praised for its creative imagination and low-budget special effects that were used to create a vision of a post-apocalyptic Earth. Additionally, the film also received praise for the acting of the actors, particularly that of Hugh Marlowe as Captain John Borden.
Despite the film’s success, World Without End did not receive any major film award nominations, nor did it significantly influence the science fiction genre over the next few years. However, the film is still considered a classic of the 1950s genre today and is often cited as one of the best examples of science fiction cinema of that period.
Style
The film World Without End belongs to the science fiction genre of the 1950s, which was characterized by a futuristic view of technology and the consequences of nuclear warfare. The film’s style reflects the conventions of this genre, including a post-apocalyptic setting, mutant creatures, elaborate costumes, and a story focused on exploration and survival.
The film also uses some of the period’s common special effects, such as make-up for the creation of aliens and mutants, miniature for city destruction scenes, and retro-projection to create the effect of an endless cave. .
Acting-wise, the actors use a theatrical style that was common in the cinema of the time, where the emphasis was on acting and words rather than naturalness of expressions and movements.
In summary, the film’s style World Without End reflects the conventions of the 1950s science fiction genre and uses special effects and acting to create an imaginary vision of the post-apocalyptic Earth and its mutant creatures.
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Director
The director of World Without End is Edward Bernds, born on July 12, 1905 in Chicago and died on May 20, 2000 in Van Nuys, California. Bernds began his career as a screenwriter in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s, writing for the Three Stooges and other Columbia Pictures comedy films.
In the 1950s, Bernds moved into directing and directed a series of low-budget science fiction films, including Endless World (1956), Return of the Fly (1959), and The Three Stooges in Orbit (1962).
Bernds was known for his ability to create science fiction films on a budget, using low-budget special effects and creative tricks to set the right mood for his stories.
In his career, Bernds also directed films in other genres, including comedies and westerns, and continued to work as a director until the late 1970s. Today, Bernds is remembered as a prolific filmmaker who contributed his creativity and ability to create quality films with limited resources to American cinema.
