The War of the Worlds

Country	United Kingdom
Directed by	Craig Viveiros
Release Date	17 November – 1 December 2019
Language	English
Studio	Mammoth Screen British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Creasun Media American
Distributor	British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Amy	Eleanor Tomlinson
George	Rafe Spall
Frederick	Rupert Graves
Ogilv	Robert Carlyle
Chamberlain	Nicholas Le Prevost

The War of the Worlds is a 2019 British three-part miniseries directed by Craig Viveiros and is based on the homonymous novel by H.G. Wells. Before premiering on BBC One in November 2019, it was already available on Canadian pay-TV channel T+E from October 6, 2019. Unlike other adaptations, which tend to be set in the contemporary era, the miniseries is set in the Edwardian era in the early 1900s, much closer to the mid-1890s setting of the original book.

For a long time, an alien civilization has been preparing in secret for this very moment - the invasion of Earth. From Mars, the aliens send sophisticated fighting machines to wipe out humanity. At first, it was thought that the crashed objects were meteorites. But it soon becomes clear: there is an alien force at work here that will change the Blue Planet forever. As the world comes closer than ever to its demise, journalist George and his girlfriend Amy fight for bare survival in early 20th century London.

The series is not to be confused with War of the Worlds, a Fox/Canal+ adaptation also released in 2019.

The following weapons were used in the television series The War of the Worlds:

Rifles

Lee-Enfield Mk. I

British soldiers including the Artilleryman (Harry Melling) and Sergeant Major (Milo Twomey) are armed with Lee-Enfield Mk. I rifles which were the standard weapon for British forces in Edwardian England.

Lee-Enfield Mark I - .303 British

The Artilleryman with his slung Lee-Enfield while placing barbed wire around the crash site.

Two soldiers receiving an order from his officer. The upper rifle part is perfectly seen.

Two British soldiers running with their Lee-Enfields in the background on a promotional image.

The soldier on the left holds the disassembled bolt for cleaning purposes.

British soldiers ineffectively fire their rifles at the flying object.

The Sergeant Major ordering his men and Goerge to investigate the swamp.

A detailed view of the Sergeant Major's rifle and the muzzle of the Artilleryman's one.

Martini-Henry Mk. III Artillery Carbine

At the army assembly point, the Sergeant Major uses a Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine Mk. III to prevent George from looking for his wife. The exact reason is not explained why he has this outdated carbine. Perhaps from a local citizen who had been equipped with it in a previous war and who made it available to him. Only a few scenes later, he is also seen carrying an Enfield rifle. The Artilleryman is also seen with this carbine but only in a promotional picture.

Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine Mark III - .577-.450 caliber

The Sergeant Major holds George at gunpoint.

Revolvers

Webley Mk. VI

A Royal Navy Lieutenant (Christopher Hatherall) is briefly seen brandishing an anachronistic Webley Mk VI during the Naval evacuation towards Dunkirk. Two other officers (Cokey Falkow and Kieron Bimpson) have the Mk. VI holster attached to their belts. A Webley .455 Mk IV would be more accurate for that time period.

Webley Mark IV - .455 Webley

The Lieutenant quickly raises his Webley

He fires a few shots into the air to get the crowd in order.

Other

BL 12-pounder 6 cwt gun

The Artilleryman and George operate a BL 12-pounder gun. It is called a "12-pounder" by some characters.

With the help of George the Artilleryman prepares the gun.

He is about to load in a shell.

A close-up of the closed breech-loading mechanism.

A rear view of the left behind gun.

Model 1874 Gatling Gun

A Model 1874 Gatling Gun fitted with a Broadwell drum is used by a soldier. This appears to be a deviation from the original novel, which instead specifically names and describes the use of "Maxim guns".