Things to Come
Things to Come (also known in promotional material as H. G. Wells' Things to Come) is a 1936 British black-and-white science fiction film from United Artists, produced by Alexander Korda, directed by William Cameron Menzies, and written by H. G. Wells. The film stars Raymond Massey, Edward Chapman, Ralph Richardson, Margaretta Scott, Cedric Hardwicke, Maurice Braddell, Sophie Stewart, Derrick De Marney, and Ann Todd.
Things to Come | |
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UK poster for the premiere run of the film | |
Directed by | William Cameron Menzies |
Written by | H. G. Wells |
Based on | The Shape of Things to Come 1933 novel by H. G. Wells |
Produced by | Alexander Korda |
Starring | Raymond Massey Edward Chapman Ralph Richardson Margaretta Scott Cedric Hardwicke Maurice Braddell Sophie Stewart Derrick De Marney Ann Todd |
Cinematography | Georges Périnal |
Edited by | Charles Crichton Francis D. Lyon |
Music by | Arthur Bliss |
Production company | |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 108m 41s (see below) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | £260,000 |
H. G. Wells conceived his treatment as "a new story" meant to display the "social and political forces and possibilities" that he had outlined in his 1933 book The Shape of Things to Come, a work he considered less a novel than a "discussion" in fictional form that presented itself as the notes of a 22nd-century diplomat. The film was also influenced by previous works, including his 1897 story "A Story of the Days to Come" and his 1931 work on society and economics, The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind. The cultural historian Christopher Frayling called Things to Come "a landmark in cinematic design".