The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.The story of a century: a decades-long second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel.
- Roxana
- (as Margueretta Scott)
- …
- Richard Gordon
- (as Derrick de Marney)
- World Transport Official
- (uncredited)
- Irishman
- (uncredited)
- The Airman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- H.G. Wells(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBefore filming started, author H.G. Wells told everyone connected with the film how much he'd hated Fritz Lang's film Metropolis (1927) and how he wanted them to do the opposite of what Lang (whom he called "Lange") and his crew had done.
- GoofsIn Everytown in 1970 industrial production has ceased, but the Boss's men still are able to go into battle against the Hill People with firearms, including machine guns, which couldn't be used without an industrial infrastructure to produce ammunition for them.
However, this takes place about four years after the end of the war and there would likely still be lots of military equipment and ammunition available.
- Quotes
Oswald Cabal: There! There they go. That faint beam of light.
Raymond Passworthy: I feel that what we've done is monstrous.
Oswald Cabal: What they've done is magnificent.
Raymond Passworthy: Will they come back?
Oswald Cabal: Yes, and go again and again, until a landing is made and the moon is conquered. This is only a beginning.
Raymond Passworthy: And if they don't come back? My son and your daughter. What of that, Cabal?
Oswald Cabal: Then presently, others will go.
Raymond Passworthy: Oh, God, is there never to be any age of happiness? Is there never to be any rest?
Oswald Cabal: Rest enough for the individual man. Too much and too soon, and we call it death. But for Man, no rest and no ending. He must go on, conquest beyond conquest. First this little planet and its winds and ways. And then all the laws of mind and matter that restrain him. Then the planets about him... and at last, out across immensity to the stars. And when he has conquered all the deeps of Space, and all the mysteries of Time, still he will be beginning.
Raymond Passworthy: But we're such little creatures. Poor humanity's so fragile, so weak. Little... little animals.
Oswald Cabal: Little animals. And if we're no more than animals, then we must snatch each little scrap of happiness, and live and suffer and pass, mattering no more than all the other animals do or have done. It is this, or that - all the Universe or nothingness! Which shall it be, Passworthy? Which shall it be?
- Crazy creditsDuring the opening credits, as the title is revealed, the shadow over the letters is removed as if the clouds in the background are blowing past it.
- Alternate versionsAvailable in a colorized version on DVD and Blu-ray.
- ConnectionsEdited into Murder on Diamond Row (1937)
- SoundtracksThe First Noel
(uncredited)
Traditional 18th Century Cornish Christmas Carol
Arranged by Arthur Bliss
[Heard during opening montage]
- nnnn45089191
- Aug 7, 2007
- How long is Things to Come?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- £300,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1