Things to Come

A 1936 British science fiction film produced by Alexander Korda, directed by William Cameron Menzies, and written by H.G. Wells from his own novel The Shape of Things to Come. A landmark in production design, the film spans a century of future history: beginning on Christmas 1940 in Everytown as world war erupts, it follows decades of conflict, plague, and social collapse until a rationalist state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel. Raymond Massey stars as the visionary John Cabal, with Ralph Richardson as "The Boss," a Mussolini-like warlord who seizes power in the post-apocalyptic ruins. England's first million-dollar picture, the film features groundbreaking special effects and monumental sets. Ralph Richardson modelled his character explicitly on Mussolini, who responded by banning the film in Italy.