Exploring ‘The War of the Worlds: Next Century’ – A Captivating Film Review by Eye for Film

After his debut with Golem, Piotr Szulkin released The War of the Worlds: Next Century. While both films share a similar atmosphere, this one is more refined and to the point. It first showed at the Gdańsk Film Festival in 1981 but was banned due to its political commentary. It didn’t hit theaters until two years later, attracting over 448,000 viewers and ranking as the 23rd most popular film in Poland in 1983.

Even though it borrows its title from HG Wells’ classic, it isn’t a direct adaptation. The only shared element is the presence of Martians. The plot unfolds in an undisclosed country where the government collaborates with the extraterrestrials, enlisting Iron Ide (played by Roman Wilhelmi), a famous TV newscaster, as a mouthpiece for their propaganda. His life takes a sharp turn when he strays from the state’s narrative.

The film goes beyond a simple alien invasion tale. It paints a stark picture of totalitarianism, showing Iron as he navigates a decaying society where he once held power. People line up to donate blood, and security forces operate without accountability. This haunting environment mirrors the struggles many faced in Eastern Europe during the 1980s.

Szulkin expertly blends grim reality with sharp satire, creating a dystopia reminiscent of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Television serves not just as a medium but as a tool for propaganda, creating an unsettling tension around what is real. For much of the film, the aliens are merely alluded to, provoking doubts about whether they truly exist or if they are just a cover for expanding state control—a tactic still employed by some authorities today.

Wilhelmi’s performance stands out as he embodies a character who evolves from a reluctant critic of the propaganda to a determined opponent. The cinematography by Zygmunt Samosiuk and the haunting scores by Jerzy Maksymiuk and Józef Skrzek enhance the film’s chilling atmosphere, a reflection of the sociopolitical climate in 1980s Poland.

Though it premiered over 40 years ago, the film’s core themes resonate today, especially its critique of media manipulation. In an age of misinformation and “fake news,” the struggle of the individual against an overpowering system feels more relevant than ever. A 2022 survey found that 64% of people believe misinformation shapes public opinion, underlining the urgency of Szulkin’s message—which remains as poignant now as it was then.

This illustrates a powerful truth about storytelling: the most impactful narratives often reflect real-world issues, transcending time and culture. For a deeper look into media influence today, check out [Pew Research](https://www.pewresearch.org) for insightful statistics and analyses.

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