JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonThe Time Machine (1960)-Trailer Included
December 27th 2006 02:25
The Time Machine
Director: George Pal
Novel: H G Wells
Script: David Duncan
Starring: Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot
“He's got all the time in the world” - Filby
Born in 1866, legendary Sci Fi author H G Wells had a soothsayers ability for seeing into the future. Foretelling the double edged sword of mankind’s reliance on technology and it’s panache for self destruction.
His stories were comprised of his own speculative wisdom to inspire the imagination. Like the work Jules Verne or George Orwell he communicated philosophical and scientific principles within the framework of an intelligent adventure yarn.
Many of Wells most famous works, (eg: War Of the Worlds, The Island of Dr Moreau, The Invisible Man, The Shape of Things To Come, Food For The Gods, First Men in the Moon etc) have dazzled filmmakers and motivated them to convert his prophetic words into moving pictures.
Director George Pal’s adaptation of The Time Machine is expertly told with flawless storytelling, meticulous stop motion special FX and skilled cinematic execution, making it a classic celluloid experience.
Opening in Victorian England, a small group of educated men assemble at the house of a reclusive scientist named George. (Rod Taylor) Mystery surrounds the reason for their meeting, growing impatient their host’s suddenly arrives tattered, out of breath and a little crazed.
Taking us back five days before, it is New Year’s Eve 1899 and surrounded by countless time pieces George tells the same group of guests about his planned construction of a time machine.
His friends and colleagues listen with scepticism as he tells of voyaging in the fourth dimension. Unveiling a working minature version of the contraption our hero explains his theories and is met with a cynical eye.
“When I speak of time, I'm speaking of the fourth dimension” – George
Undetered by doubters, he builds a full scale vehicle and begins his journey into a war riddled future of nuclear weapons and global destruction.
An optimist at heart he is determined to find a more ideal civilization and George throttles through to the year 802701 to discover the fate of humanity and his destiny.
“What have you done? Thousands of years of building and rebuilding, creating and recreating so you can let it crumble to dust. A million years of sensitive men dying for their dreams... FOR WHAT? So you can swim and dance and play.” - George
John Doe says:
Intelligent and exciting with groundbreaking special effects, Director George Pal (Tom Thumb, 7 Faces of Dr Lao, Sinbad) was a Hollywood powerhouse in the fantasy genre and The Time Machine would not be half as good with out his eye for detail and flair for transporting viewers to far away worlds.
The painstaking visuals still leave me in awe of the crew’s patience and have me asking the question, how did they do that?
The fantastic script is engrossing storytelling for any age, smart and knowing with an urgency that creates yearning for the next scene to unfold.
Australian actor Rod Taylor (The Liquidator, The Birds, Giant) is best remembered for the role of George. His performance as a gentle and passionate man of science engrosses and keeps you invested emotionally through the story.
Alan Young plays George's only friend, Filby with poignancy and tenderness, his unwavering loyalty resonates.
Astoundingly believable considering the era in which the original novel was written, The Time Machine is a lifetime favourite of John Doe's.
Essential time travel cinema, that influenced the shape of things to come, as child opening my mind to ideas and theories that have fascinated ever since.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: A must see making of and quality featurette on the famous props from the film.
Below you can step back in time to view the original trailer for the film.
DVD Cover
Novel: H G Wells
Script: David Duncan
“He's got all the time in the world” - Filby
Born in 1866, legendary Sci Fi author H G Wells had a soothsayers ability for seeing into the future. Foretelling the double edged sword of mankind’s reliance on technology and it’s panache for self destruction.
His stories were comprised of his own speculative wisdom to inspire the imagination. Like the work Jules Verne or George Orwell he communicated philosophical and scientific principles within the framework of an intelligent adventure yarn.
Many of Wells most famous works, (eg: War Of the Worlds, The Island of Dr Moreau, The Invisible Man, The Shape of Things To Come, Food For The Gods, First Men in the Moon etc) have dazzled filmmakers and motivated them to convert his prophetic words into moving pictures.
Director George Pal’s adaptation of The Time Machine is expertly told with flawless storytelling, meticulous stop motion special FX and skilled cinematic execution, making it a classic celluloid experience.
Opening in Victorian England, a small group of educated men assemble at the house of a reclusive scientist named George. (Rod Taylor) Mystery surrounds the reason for their meeting, growing impatient their host’s suddenly arrives tattered, out of breath and a little crazed.
Taking us back five days before, it is New Year’s Eve 1899 and surrounded by countless time pieces George tells the same group of guests about his planned construction of a time machine.
His friends and colleagues listen with scepticism as he tells of voyaging in the fourth dimension. Unveiling a working minature version of the contraption our hero explains his theories and is met with a cynical eye.
“When I speak of time, I'm speaking of the fourth dimension” – George
Undetered by doubters, he builds a full scale vehicle and begins his journey into a war riddled future of nuclear weapons and global destruction.
An optimist at heart he is determined to find a more ideal civilization and George throttles through to the year 802701 to discover the fate of humanity and his destiny.
“What have you done? Thousands of years of building and rebuilding, creating and recreating so you can let it crumble to dust. A million years of sensitive men dying for their dreams... FOR WHAT? So you can swim and dance and play.” - George
1997, what the hell is a Spice Girl?
Intelligent and exciting with groundbreaking special effects, Director George Pal (Tom Thumb, 7 Faces of Dr Lao, Sinbad) was a Hollywood powerhouse in the fantasy genre and The Time Machine would not be half as good with out his eye for detail and flair for transporting viewers to far away worlds.
The painstaking visuals still leave me in awe of the crew’s patience and have me asking the question, how did they do that?
The fantastic script is engrossing storytelling for any age, smart and knowing with an urgency that creates yearning for the next scene to unfold.
Australian actor Rod Taylor (The Liquidator, The Birds, Giant) is best remembered for the role of George. His performance as a gentle and passionate man of science engrosses and keeps you invested emotionally through the story.
Alan Young plays George's only friend, Filby with poignancy and tenderness, his unwavering loyalty resonates.
Astoundingly believable considering the era in which the original novel was written, The Time Machine is a lifetime favourite of John Doe's.
Essential time travel cinema, that influenced the shape of things to come, as child opening my mind to ideas and theories that have fascinated ever since.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: A must see making of and quality featurette on the famous props from the film.
Below you can step back in time to view the original trailer for the film.
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Comment by LaurenD
Classic, JD, just classic.
LaurenD
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for reading LaurenD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I love the Time Machine design!
I had a slight crush on Weena as a boy too ...
The novel is one of my favourite novels of all time too!
great work JD!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
the film jsut gets better with age and Morlocks still give me the heebie jeebies.
The time machine itself is one of my favourite props of all time.
Agree with all you say, thanks for the nod.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
As a kid those Morlocks with their eyes glowing in the dark just blew me away. A very good tribute to the original novel
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The FX really are amazing, capture the imagination in a harryhaussen way.
The remake was unwatchable in my eyes, I tried and it hurt.
Long Live the work of HG and these pioneer filmmakers who brought it to life.
Thanks for dropping in.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I also really liked the remake by Verbinski [with Guy Pearce]...
experimentation over Christmas : watched originals and remakes in line...
most interesting?
War of the Worlds' and Time Machine(s)...
Mostly like the remake of time machine because of Jeremy Irons' acting ...
Lilla...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I tried to watch the remake but the FX were cluncky and looked rushed, script was bland and the acting was subpar, their just seemd to be no passion in it.
No mind, I love the ending of the George Pal version, real food for thought.
What books would you have taken back to the future?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Funny question...(?)
not sure I understand... but if I was going to the future, I wouldn't take any because they'd have them there ... already...
If I was going back to the past?
Cleopatra's library before the mugs sacked it... sore point for me...
Is that what you mean, or do you mean what books would I take from my shelves at home with me on my trip?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Hi again Lilla,
At the end of the original George Pal adaption of the Time Machine all books have been destroyed in the future he finds and no one can read.
George time travels back to his house and grabs three books off the shelf to rebuild society and the human culture.
The film literally ends with the riddle "Which book would you take?"
So in the context of the film, which book would you take?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
That's a tall ask... just three?
This isn't a trick question is it? *lol*
oh gosh... I'll have to have a long think...
I'll come back after some deliberation...all I can think of, up front, is what I wouldn't take with me... too many... ummm, let me see....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It is a riddle that I go back too often, there is no right and wrong.
Its just a good question to reveal what individuals consider the most important foundations for civilization.
Eg: I would never take the Bible with me.... rather than name names I would probably take a philosphy book, a science book and a work of profound imagination.