 Tim Robbins (I) (qv)s line, "Its not a war any more than its a  war between men and maggots", is a slightly modified quote from the  original novel, substituting "maggots" for "ants". The line was also  used in the infamous 1939 Orson Welles (qv) radio broadcast. In  addition, the news reporters line, "Once they begin to move, no  more news comes out of that area", is taken directly from  _War of the Worlds, The (1953)_ (qv). Also taken from the original  film were the scenes with the probe examining the basement, followed  by the inquisitive aliens. Tom Cruise (qv) chops the head off the  probe with an axe, just as Gene Barry (qv) did in the original.  Also, the shot of the dying aliens arm coming down the ramp is a  reference to a similar shot in the original film.