1. Conduct your own research and find:
Release Date
Budget
Box Office Gross
Read the following articles:
http://www.today.com/id/10549050/ns/today-entertainment/t/steven-
spielbergs-obsession/#.UuZWe2TFJ1M
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jul/04/usa.world
Why do you think American audiences responded to War Of The Worlds like
they did? Think about the casting of Tom Cruise, the film’s location and time
of release.
Do you think the contemporary remake of War Of The Worlds would have
been popular or successful without the events of 9/11?
I think the reason American critics reacted the way they did to war of the
worlds (2005 remake) was because they thought it was roughly based on 9/11
because of similarities.
I still think the remake of War Of The World would still have been popular
without the events of 9/11 because it was already a popular book and film
before 9/11. I just think the makers of the remake used 9/11 as an excuse to fit
in the 9/11 concept for money. I also think it still would have been popular
because I have never seen War Of The Worlds and I know it’s popular, but I
never knew it had any indication of 9/11.

2. Even though the remake was a metaphor for 9/11, the original was a
metaphor for Russia invading America. The movie itself is understood better
when you consider that it was made at the height of the cold war- just replace
Martain with Russia.
How do you feel about American Producers using 9/11 as a thematic device
in film? Can it be justified?
I think 9/11 can be used in films, depending on how tastefully it is done. Using
9/11 as the main theme and storyline of the film is ok to do as long as it is done
with respect and sticks to true facts. Whereas if 9/11 is put into a film where
it’s not really needed, I think is disrespectful because it’s just using the 9/11
events to get money.