When Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide (1951)

  • 77% of critics liked it
    (22 reviews)

  • 63% of users liked it
    (2,883 ratings)

First published in 1932, Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille. But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment, the… More

G, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By
Rudolph Maté
Written By
Sydney Boehm
Genres
Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Aug 1, 1951 Wide
On DVD
Sep 25, 2001
Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    This probably looks about as stodgy now as it did back then.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    Top honors for this inter-planetary fantasy rest with the cameramen and special effects technicians rather than with performances of the non-name cast.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    Mr. Pal barely gets us out there, but this time he doesn't bring us back.

  • Rob Humanick, Suite101.com

    Too bad the finale plays like a greeting card you wish someone had just given you the money for instead.

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Best appreciated for its apocalyptic special effects.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Christopher H


    A surprisingly intelligent disaster movie and a nice sci-fi gem from the 1950's. Despite the film's low budget, the special effects are quite spectacular and well done (with the exception of the end). The film's ensemble cast is also well rounded and each give… More

  • AJ V


    I know that this movie is not usually regarded as one of the classic or best sci-fi movies of the 50s, even the early 50s, but I think it's highly underrated. Give it a chance and see what you think. The special effects are really very spectacular, especially when you read… More

  • Randy T


    This is not your typical low-budget 50's sci-fi thriller. The effects here, with the possible exception of the final scene, are stunning. This is global Armageddon with style! Nostalgic, but still technologically impressive.

  • Luke B


    50's was a great time for Sci-Fi. With the moon landings approaching but not quite here, it was the perfect time for imagination and science to collide. Today though and a lot of the effects and ideas look very dated. However, buried beneath the surface of these films are… More

  • Daniel H


    One of the earliest and most amazing (for the time, of course) usages of special effects to "Destroy the World", such as tsunamis and volcanic floods. The message is hopeful of a better future, but the plot is all about the war between humanities better and worse natures in… More

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

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