The film as presented is an alternate history of World War I: the European Allies, and eventually America, fight Martian invaders instead of Germany and the Central Powers.

The film also utilizes a surprising twist on the "Spanish" flu pandemic that killed more people than the conflict itself, which becomes the key development in ending the alien invasion.

Kaiser Wilhelm makes an urgent appeal to the world for military assistance in fighting what turns out to be a powerful, non-human invading force thought to be from Mars.

Following an apparent attack on London by a single alien tripod, the Allies discover that the Martians are vulnerable to Glanders, a terrestrial virus endemic to horses.

These messages are warnings from the "Martians" themselves about the true culprit behind invasion: a liquid metal lifeform (which mankind names "Victacite") that entices other, intelligent species into appropriating its highly-adaptable technology.

The utmost skill and craftsmanship have delivered this merging of faux archival-style (scratched, battered) footage (appearing as though from The Great War) with an endless CGI army of ruthless Titan alien machines.