When Worlds Collide is a 1951 American science fiction disaster film directed by Rudolph Maté and starring Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, Peter Hansen, and John Hoyt. The film is based on the 1933 novel of the same name by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie.
The film tells the story of Dr. Hendron (Larry Keating), an astronomer who discovers that a rogue star named Bellus is on a collision course with Earth. Hendron warns the world of the impending disaster, but his warnings are ignored. As Bellus gets closer to Earth, it begins to cause a series of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions.
A group of scientists and engineers are tasked with building a spaceship to evacuate a select group of people to Zyra, a planet that orbits Bellus. The spaceship is completed just in time, and the group is able to escape Earth before it is destroyed by Bellus.
When Worlds Collide was a critical and commercial success. The film was praised for its realistic special effects and its suspenseful story. It is considered to be one of the best science fiction films ever made.
The film's themes of impending doom and the struggle for survival are as relevant today as they were when the film was first released. When Worlds Collide is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring the warnings of science. It is also a testament to the human spirit and our ability to overcome adversity.
Cast
- Richard Derr as David Randall
- Barbara Rush as Joyce Hendron
- Peter Hansen as Dr. Tony Drake
- John Hoyt as Sydney Stanton
- Larry Keating as Dr. Cole Hendron
- Rachel Ames as Julie Cummings (as Judith Ames)
- Stephen Chase as Dr. George Frye
- Frank Cady as Harold Ferris
- Hayden Rorke as Dr. Emery Bronson
- Sandro Giglio as Dr. Ottinger
- James Seay as Donovan (uncredited)
- Kirk Alyn as Rioter bringing guns (uncredited)
- Stuart Whitman as Rioter by bank (uncredited)
- John Ridgely as Chief Customs Inspector (uncredited)
- Paul Frees as Narrator/U.S. President (uncredited)
- Art Gilmore as Paul (uncredited)
Director: Rudolph Maté
Writers: Sydney Boehm Edwin Balmer Philip Wylie
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 15, 1951