Revisiting The Invasion - a short piece on the
initial creation of the new film, featuring interviews with Spielberg, Cruise, and
screenwriter David Koepp. Whereas the original was a reflection of the Red Scare
of the 1950s, the new version is a product of the present day times of life post
September 11, 2001.
The H.G. Wells Legacy - looks at the author of the
orignal novel, which was first published in 1898. It features interviews with
Well's grandson and great-grandson.
Steven Spielberg And The Original War Of The Worlds -
Talks about the cameo at the end of the film with Gene Barry and Ann Robinson,
the stars of the original film. There's also a look back at the George Pal version
of the story.
Characters: The Family Unit - looks at the characters
in the film and the actors who play them.
Previsualization - examines the computer generated
storyboards, which are actually little animated movies that showed Spielberg what
options he had before rolling a single frame of film.
Production Dairies: East Coast: Beginning -
offers a great look at the first Tripod scene, which was shot in a real intersection
in Newark, NJ. Does a superb job of showing what the special effects people have to
contend with in order to create their effects on a location shoot.
Production Dairies: East Coast: Exile - examines the
challenges of filming the ferry sequence in Athens, NY, as well as the battle
between the military and the Tripods.
Production Dairies: West Coast: Destruction - looks
at the airplane crash, as well as the cellar scene with Tim Robbins as Harlan.
Production Dairies: West Coast: War - deals with the filming
the final face to face encounter between Ray, his daughter Rachel and the Tripod.
Also deals with the scenes with crowds fighting over Ray's mini-van.
Designing The Enemy: Tripods And Aliens - looks at
the efforts of concept designer Doug Chiang and others to create a fresh new look
for the invaders.
Scoring War Of The Worlds - looks at the music and
sound effect work on the film. Spielberg's old friend John Williams did the music,
and he talks about how he used a chorus of singers--both men and women--in the
music for various scenes.
We Are Not Alone - a few last words from Spielberg
before the DVD special feature credits roll.
Production Notes - offers a text version of the
making of the film.
Galleries - various still photos from all stages
of the production.