Things to Come (1936) in Color — Starring Raymond Massey & Edward Chapman

Things to Come (1936) – Buy This Visionary Sci-Fi Classic in Color

Experience the breathtaking vision of Things to Come (1936) in vivid colorized HD. Directed by William Cameron Menzies and written by H.G. Wells himself, this monumental science fiction epic spans over a century of human history — from devastating global war through the collapse of civilization to humanity’s triumphant conquest of the stars. Featuring stunning art direction and ambitious special effects that were decades ahead of their time, this remains one of the most intellectually ambitious and visually spectacular films ever made. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

The film opens in 1940 in the prosperous city of Everytown, where life proceeds in comfortable routine despite growing international tensions. On Christmas Eve, war erupts suddenly and catastrophically, plunging the world into a devastating global conflict that makes the Great War seem like a preliminary skirmish. Aerial bombardment reduces cities to rubble, chemical warfare poisons entire populations, and years of grinding combat exhaust every nation involved. The war drags on for decades, long past the point where anyone remembers its original cause, sustained only by its own terrible momentum.

By the 1960s, civilization has effectively collapsed. Everytown lies in ruins, governed by a petty warlord called “The Boss” (Ralph Richardson), who rules through crude military force and keeps his population in medieval squalor. Disease, ignorance, and tribal warfare have replaced the technological society that existed before the war. Into this wasteland flies John Cabal (Raymond Massey), an aviator representing Wings Over the World, an organization of scientists and engineers who have preserved knowledge and technology while the rest of the world descended into barbarism.

Cabal offers the Boss peaceful cooperation, but the warlord’s pride and paranoia make conflict inevitable. Wings Over the World ultimately subdues the warlords through a devastating gas attack and begins the long work of rebuilding civilization on rational, scientific principles. Decades pass in a magnificent montage of construction and progress as vast machines reshape the landscape and towering technological cities rise from the ruins. By 2036, humanity inhabits an underground paradise of gleaming white architecture and advanced technology, a utopia of reason and achievement.

But even in paradise, discontent stirs. As Oswald Cabal (also Raymond Massey), grandson of John, prepares to launch the first human expedition to the Moon using a massive space gun, a reactionary artist named Theotocopulos (Cedric Hardwicke) leads a populist revolt against progress itself, arguing that humanity has sacrificed its soul for technological advancement. The film climaxes with a race between the forces of progress and the forces of fear, as Cabal launches the expedition even as the mob surges toward the space gun. In his final magnificent speech, Cabal poses the ultimate question: shall humanity rest and be content, or reach ever outward toward the infinite possibilities of the universe?

Cast & Crew

Director: William Cameron Menzies
Stars: Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke, Margaretta Scott, Edward Chapman, Ann Todd

Raymond Massey brings stern idealism and compelling authority to his dual role spanning generations. Ralph Richardson is magnificently bombastic as the petty warlord clinging to power through ignorance and force. The extraordinary production design by Vincent Korda creates one of cinema’s most ambitious visual environments, from the devastation of war to the gleaming utopian city of the future.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The spectacular visual scope of this film — from the fiery destruction of aerial bombardment to the gleaming white utopian city of 2036 — is magnificently enhanced through expert colorization. The contrast between the war-ravaged wasteland and the technological paradise of the future gains extraordinary visual power in colour. The massive sets, the futuristic costumes, and the spectacular special effects are all brought to vivid new life. Now also available in colour. Own this visionary masterpiece for €15.00 — a magnificent addition to your classic science fiction collection.

Historical Significance

Things to Come stands as one of the most ambitious and intellectually significant science fiction films ever produced. Written directly by H.G. Wells and produced by Alexander Korda at enormous expense, the film was the most lavish and serious science fiction production of its era. Its prediction of aerial bombardment devastating cities was chillingly fulfilled just four years later during the Blitz. The film’s extraordinary production design influenced every subsequent science fiction film, from Metropolis to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Through colorization, this visionary masterpiece has been preserved for modern audiences who appreciate the power of cinema to imagine humanity’s future on the grandest possible scale.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Did H.G. Wells really write the screenplay?
A: Yes, Wells wrote the screenplay himself, adapting his own novel The Shape of Things to Come. He was deeply involved in the production and insisted on final approval of the design and direction, making this the most direct translation of his vision to the screen.

Q: How accurate were the film’s predictions?
A: Remarkably prescient in some respects — the film predicted the outbreak of a devastating world war in 1940, aerial bombardment of cities, and the use of chemical weapons. Its vision of post-war reconstruction and space exploration also anticipated real developments, though on a more modest scale than the film imagines.

Q: How does colorization enhance this film specifically?
A: The contrast between different historical periods is dramatically enhanced — the warm, comfortable pre-war world, the dark devastation of the war years, and the gleaming white and silver of the futuristic utopia each receive distinctly appropriate colour palettes that amplify the film’s visual storytelling.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Metropolis (1927)
• The Invisible Man (1933)
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
• The Great Impostor (1960)
• Chain Lightning (1950)