Things to Come

Things to Come is a futuristic, speculative drama directed by William Cameron Menzies and released in 1936. This British science fiction film is designed to be a bold and prescient saga of progress, technology, war, and societal change. Adapted for the screen by acclaimed science fiction author H.G. Wells himself, the film is rooted in Wells's own 1933 book 'The Shape of Things to Come'. The feature film cast involves well-known actors of their time, Raymond Massey, Edward Chapman, Ralph Richardson, and many others adding their talents to this visionary project.

The film's unique narrative is segmented into three significant time periods, the depicted years being 1940, 1970, and 2036 respectively. Things to Come begins in Everytown, an imagined British location, in the then-imminent future of 1940. This section anticipates the world on the cusp of another massive global conflict, and it forecasts the consequences of a long-lasting, protracted war. Raymond Massey plays the role of John Cabal, a peaceful engineer who warns his family and friends about the impending disaster and chastises the war-mongers of society. The film's stark anti-war sentiment, coupled with its focused exploration of technology as both a catalyst and solution to war, manages to still resonate with audiences today.

In its next segment, set in 1970, the film explores a post-war scenario where Everytown has devolved into a primitive society where modern technology is non-existent. Warlord Rudolf, portrayed by Ralph Richardson, has seized authoritative control. Edward Chapman plays Pippa Passworthy, who is seen grappling with the reality of their dystopian world, riddled with disease and poverty. Importantly, the film examines the concept of societal regression following the devastation of prolonged war, presenting strong social commentary on the potentially destructive power of warfare.

The final segment, revealed in 2036, envisions the world after a century of technological progress, managing to reclaim and even enhancing the comfort and convenience of their pre-war society. Everyday existence has been revolutionized, with humanity now dwelling in massive, futuristic metropolises soaring high into the sky. Incidentally, Raymond Massey makes his return in this segment, now playing John Cabal's descendant, Oswald Cabal. The vision for this utopian society is one of peace, prosperity, and technological splendour, though the film does not miss exploring its attendant dilemmas.

Throughout the different time periods, Things to Come retains a slick visual aesthetic, blending elements of art deco design with striking futurism. This is particularly noticeable in the 2036 sequence, where the world has been reimagined with a fantastic array of skyscrapers, streamlined vehicles, and avant-garde cityscapes. The production design was well ahead of its time, helping to underscore the film's overarching message about the potent, transformative power of technology.

Thematically, Things to Come is devoted to the analysis of war and its consequences, the potential of science and technology, and the possibilities for human progress and its relation to civilization. The film serves as both a cautionary tale and a hopeful vision of the future, primarily seen through Wells's speculative lens. It takes both an imaginative and philosophical approach to a vision of the future, grappling with darker themes around the destruction caused by war and technological advancement while remaining optimistic about humanity's potential to evolve and adapt.

What sets this film apart is not just its grand ideas about the future but also its ambitious undertaking as a narrative project, portraying a scope that stretches across almost a century. The performances by Raymond Massey, Edward Chapman, and Ralph Richardson are powerfully compelling, breathing life into their characters and effectively communicating the film's complex themes.

In conclusion, William Cameron Menzies's Things to Come, with its riveting performances, groundbreaking visual designs, and compelling thematic explorations, remains a significant entry in the realm of science fiction cinema. Its thoughtfully conceived narrative offers a captivating exploration of human progress across a vast time span, from the brink of great wars to the advent of future utopias, making it a film that continues to be appreciated by fans of speculative fiction and cinematic history.