When U.S. President James Dale (
Jack Nicholson) is informed that a fleet of Martian spaceships are approaching Earth, he consults with his advisers General Decker (
Rod Steiger) and Professor Donald Kessler (
Pierce Brosnan). Decker wants immediate military deployment, while Kessler suggests that they roll out the red carpet. The President decides to follow Kessler's suggestion and send General Casey (
Paul Winfield) to greet them. Just as the Martian Ambassador assures everyone that they come in peace, a group of hippies release a peace dove. Suddenly, the Martians shoot down the dove, vaporize General Casey, and turn their weapons on the gathered crowd. Mars' attack on Earth has begun.