The War of the Worlds

A voiceover introduces the existence of a race watching Earth, envious of its resources. It hints at previous world wars and foreshadows an upcoming conflict, the war of the worlds, setting a tone of impending doom.

A mysterious fireball streaks through the skies and crashes in Southern California, igniting a fire. Local firemen quickly extinguish the flames but are baffled by the cylindrical object that has unexpectedly fallen from the sky.

Dr. Clayton Forester, a scientist, examines the strange object and notices it's lightweight and radioactive. While others treat it as a curiosity, he senses something ominous about it.

Three men approach the probe that emerges from the object, attempting to show friendly intentions. Their efforts end tragically as the probe unleashes a deadly heat ray, incinerating them.

As chaos ensues, power and telephone services fail, and Forester discovers that watches are magnetized. He realizes that something extraterrestrial has occurred at the crash site, prompting panic in the town.

The military arrives in response to the invasion, with marines and air support prepared to engage. However, the probe proves highly destructive as it successfully defends itself against their attempts to subdue it.

Pastor Matthew Collins tries to approach the alien crafts, reciting the 23rd psalm in an attempt to communicate peace. Tragically, he is burned to death in front of his horrified niece, Sylvia.

The military's heavy artillery and missile fire prove futile against the Martian force shields. As the probing Martians retaliate, General Mann decides to regroup and rethink their strategy, fearing for their lives.

While taking to the skies in an army plane, Forester and Sylvia are briefly cornered by swan-like ships. They manage a crash landing and must evade the Martians who quickly surround the wreckage.

While attempting to escape from the farmhouse, Forester confronts a Martian crew member. In a desperate struggle, he blunders into a fight and strains to evade the impending danger surrounding them.

More alien cylinders crash across the globe, indicating the Martians' intent to eradicate humanity. A sense of urgency escalates as Forester and Sylvia seek a solution against the mounting threat.

With time running out, Forester realizes that only biological weapons can combat the Martians. This insight is overshadowed when chaos reigns at Pacific Tech as panic spreads among the personnel.

Forester searches for Sylvia amidst the destruction, witnessing the fear in local congregations seeking refuge inside churches. Here, he rallies people to evacuate as they face down an overwhelming alien presence.

As the Martians begin to succumb to Earth's germs, Forester and the people observe the once-menacing ships fall from the sky. The aliens experience a swift defeat as their underdeveloped immune systems fail against earthly bacteria.

With the Martian invasion over, an eerie silence replaces the chaos. Humanity realizes that the war was won not through weaponry, but through the unexpected vulnerability of their extraterrestrial foes.