Doctor Clayton Forrester (War of the Worlds)
Encyclopedia
Doctor Clayton Forrester is a fictional character in the 1953 science fiction film The War of the Worlds
, the first film adaptation of the H. G. Wells
novel of the same name
. The character is played by Gene Barry
. He is very loosely based on the novel's unnamed protagonist.
The film takes several liberties with the source material; rather than taking place in early 20th century England
, the film is set in mid-century California
. Clayton Forrester is the main character in the film, taking up half of the role assumed by an unnamed narrator in the original novel (Cedric Hardwicke
provides the narration).
Forrester is a respected physicist
on a fishing
holiday who gets caught up in an invasion from Mars
, as well as falling in love with Ann Robinson
's character Sylvia Van Buren. As the Martians
attempt to wipe out humanity and take the planet for their own, Forrester is one of the few scientists who attempt to find a biological weakness of the aliens. When he fails, and mankind faces extinction, the Martians succumb to common earthly bacteria, as in the novel.
Both Gene Barry and Ann Robinson have a cameo in Steven Spielberg
's 2005 film adaptation
, as an homage to the 1953 film, even though it is technically not a remake.
(developed as a sequel to the film, not the original Wells novel) makes a number of references to Forrester, but does not actually feature the character. The show's back-story
establishes that Dr. Forrester adopted a young boy, Harrison Blackwood, who was orphaned during the conflict in the film. (Blackwood's parents were Forrester's colleagues at the Pacific Institute of Technology.) Forrester's discovery that the aliens, believed to have been killed by common bacteria
, were still alive, has led to his professional downfall, but Blackwood has assumed his role as leader of the new fight against the invaders. Forrester's research is occasionally mentioned and proves useful at times throughout the ensuing battles with the aliens. There is also frequent mention of an "Ezekiel
Project" that Clayton was in charge of, though nothing is truly revealed about this secret project.
Harrison's statement in the first season that Sylvia Van Buren, Forrester's budding love interest in the film, was practically a mother to him implies that Forrester and Van Buren never married (she is even referred to as "Ms. Van Buren"), and speaks of their relationship as though the two were nothing more than professional work associates. This conflicts with a second season episode in which Harrison refers to her as "Mrs. Forrester" and includes a scene with a young Harrison in the same household as Sylvia. Because of the various other conflicting information in the second season with the first season, this isn't necessarily considered canonical
.
Though absent from the series, Forrester is integrated into the novelization of the pilot episode. In it, after the Blackwood Project has been formed and begins their efforts, Forrester himself is given a rejuvenated lease on life, only to suffer from a fatal heart attack
. However, Dr. Blackwood later states in the early episode "Thy Kingdom Come" that Sylvia's mental collapse transpired after Forrester's death, indicating that he had died quite some time before the series began.
, is named after the War of the Worlds character.
The War of the Worlds (1953 film)
The War of the Worlds is a 1953 science fiction film starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson. It was the first on-screen loose adaptation of the H. G. Wells classic novel of the same name...
, the first film adaptation of the H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
novel of the same name
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds is an 1898 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells.The War of the Worlds may also refer to:- Radio broadcasts :* The War of the Worlds , the 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles...
. The character is played by Gene Barry
Gene Barry
Gene Barry was an American stage, screen, and television actor. Barry is best remembered for his leading roles in the films The Atomic City and The War of The Worlds and for his portrayal of the title character in the TV series Bat Masterson, among many roles.-Personal life:Barry was born...
. He is very loosely based on the novel's unnamed protagonist.
The film takes several liberties with the source material; rather than taking place in early 20th century England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the film is set in mid-century California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Clayton Forrester is the main character in the film, taking up half of the role assumed by an unnamed narrator in the original novel (Cedric Hardwicke
Cedric Hardwicke
Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke was a noted English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly fifty years...
provides the narration).
Forrester is a respected physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
on a fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
holiday who gets caught up in an invasion from Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, as well as falling in love with Ann Robinson
Ann Robinson
Ann Robinson is an American actress and stunt horse rider, perhaps best known for her work in the film, The War of the Worlds and in the 1947 to 1970 radio and television series, Dragnet, in which she starred opposite Jack Webb....
's character Sylvia Van Buren. As the Martians
Martian (War of the Worlds)
The Martians, also known as the Invaders, are the fictional race of extraterrestrials from the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds. They are the antagonists of the novel, and their efforts to exterminate the populace of Earth and claim the planet for themselves drive the plot and present...
attempt to wipe out humanity and take the planet for their own, Forrester is one of the few scientists who attempt to find a biological weakness of the aliens. When he fails, and mankind faces extinction, the Martians succumb to common earthly bacteria, as in the novel.
Both Gene Barry and Ann Robinson have a cameo in Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
's 2005 film adaptation
War of the Worlds (2005 film)
War of the Worlds is a 2005 American science fiction film adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel of the same name, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Josh Friedman and David Koepp. It is one of three film adaptations of War of the Worlds released that year, alongside The Asylum's version and...
, as an homage to the 1953 film, even though it is technically not a remake.
Television series
The television series War of the WorldsWar of the Worlds (TV series)
War of the Worlds is a television program that ran for two seasons, from 1988 to 1990. The series is an extension of the original 1953 film The War of the Worlds, using the same War Machine, often incorporating aspects from the film, radio adaptation, and original novel into its mythology.Though...
(developed as a sequel to the film, not the original Wells novel) makes a number of references to Forrester, but does not actually feature the character. The show's back-story
Back-story
A back-story, background story, or backstory is the literary device of a narrative chronologically earlier than, and related to, a narrative of primary interest. Generally, it is the history of characters or other elements that underlie the situation existing at the main narrative's start...
establishes that Dr. Forrester adopted a young boy, Harrison Blackwood, who was orphaned during the conflict in the film. (Blackwood's parents were Forrester's colleagues at the Pacific Institute of Technology.) Forrester's discovery that the aliens, believed to have been killed by common bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
, were still alive, has led to his professional downfall, but Blackwood has assumed his role as leader of the new fight against the invaders. Forrester's research is occasionally mentioned and proves useful at times throughout the ensuing battles with the aliens. There is also frequent mention of an "Ezekiel
Ezekiel
Ezekiel , "God will strengthen" , is the central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Ezekiel is acknowledged as a Hebrew prophet...
Project" that Clayton was in charge of, though nothing is truly revealed about this secret project.
Harrison's statement in the first season that Sylvia Van Buren, Forrester's budding love interest in the film, was practically a mother to him implies that Forrester and Van Buren never married (she is even referred to as "Ms. Van Buren"), and speaks of their relationship as though the two were nothing more than professional work associates. This conflicts with a second season episode in which Harrison refers to her as "Mrs. Forrester" and includes a scene with a young Harrison in the same household as Sylvia. Because of the various other conflicting information in the second season with the first season, this isn't necessarily considered canonical
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
.
Though absent from the series, Forrester is integrated into the novelization of the pilot episode. In it, after the Blackwood Project has been formed and begins their efforts, Forrester himself is given a rejuvenated lease on life, only to suffer from a fatal heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. However, Dr. Blackwood later states in the early episode "Thy Kingdom Come" that Sylvia's mental collapse transpired after Forrester's death, indicating that he had died quite some time before the series began.
See also
Dr. Clayton Forrester, a character on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
, is named after the War of the Worlds character.