The Time Machine

A power outage kept me from seeing more than half of this on ABC (American Broadcasting Network). I remember the hero being burned, presumably as a witch though that punishment was reserved for heretics. Sure, it didn't stick to the original novel, which I have read in two different forms; so what. I kept hoping it would be shown again. Maybe someone has uploaded the video.

I made the mistake of asking ABC for help in finding their eight-episode series PROBE (1988) starring Parker Stevenson (previously of THE HARDY BOYS) and Ashley Crow (currently of HEROES). They disavowed any knowledge of its existence; the show was a victim of a writers' strike. I never bothered to ask about this movie.

This television remake of The Time Machine has a very cute bit of casting in it: Whit Bissell played one of Rod Taylor's dinner guests back in the 1960 original, and nearly twenty years later, he also plays one of the men who listens to the time traveling tale. Besides that, this version isn't very cute.

For starters, this isn't a period piece. John Beck plays a modern scientist in 1978, working on a time machine in his spare time. When he finally explains his invention to his colleagues, Whit, Andrew Duggan and Jack Kruschen, he tells tales of his journeys back in time while testing the machine. He gets chased during a witch hunt, accused of a bank robbery in the Wild West, and finally decides to go into the future. He can't have the same adventures as Rod Taylor did because he's not starting from 1900.

The production values aren't that great, the screenplay isn't that great, and if you love the story, you'll probably end up turning it off. The 1970s were notorious for producing cheesy tv movies, and this one isn't an exception.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When he uses the time machine, the camera blurs a little and has some flashing lights, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

I, too, wish that this were available on DVD. Maybe it will be put onto some budget sci-fi collection DVD, someday--why not? I'm not certain that I still have this on VHS--it's been awhile for viewing, unfortunately.

This film shares a similar problem with the lesser-regarded special effects of the theatrical film "Clash of the Titans"--a work from the same era--that version of the film starred Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier, and other legendary Brit actors. Many people wish that some of today's digital wizardry then proved available for such lesser-supported works. Some of that magic might have made this a great TV movie, after all. (Sometimes, though, improbable modern special effects may prove tedious.)

I like Rod Taylor and his movie, too. Really, though, the late '70s is an era in which time travel would have proved more likely to succeed. Thus, the "time-ship," lab, and other prop features appear to be much more "accurate" and likely to succeed at such a task. They're pretty cool! Really, I don't see a problem with John Beck as "scientist," either. He portrays a fellow who proves to be quite calm, logical, and collected.

(Linking John to porn proves very insulting. He proved very highly valued in the '70s and '80s. John was one of the few guys in this biz whom, women--after an initial "shock and awe"--never forget! Really, he's etched forever, easily, as one of the most handsome guys ever to grace a screen. Apparently, that's something which John's harsh critics--mostly men--never will understand.)

The 1960 film is so wonderful. Why would they remake it so badly?

The effects aren't perfect in the original Film, but they are a hundred times worse in the TV movie.

The actors are annoying.

The costumes on the Morlocks are amazingly just as bad as the worst sci-fi flicks of the 50's.

Sorry if you like this movie. I just think it's awful.

I had to post a comment about this adaptation of The Time Machine after reading the very harsh review by "Anonymous" from Sacramento.

This 1978 version was never intended as a remake to the 1960 version; in the 1960 film, MGM took a lot of liberties with the original book material, and in fact this version is a much more faithful adaptation of the book, and much closer to HG Wells' vision.

Whereas the 1960 version had a number of "key events" included that were not actually in the book at all, and also several key issues omitted, this version largely stays true to the book in all aspects.

While John Beck is not as confident or assured (or even as "arrogant") in his role as Rod Taylor, his more laid-back performance is far more reminiscent of the Time Traveller from the book than Taylor's. A couple of other famous faces (including the John A. Doucette, Priscilla Barnes and even Whit Bissell, who also starred in the 1960 version, are all pleasant enough in their supporting roles.

The effects are not brilliant, but then this was a cheap budget production made in the Star Wars era, so in comparison there was no way the effects were ever going to match up with productions from the likes of MGM or 20th Century Fox for that time! In short, while nothing special, and not as entertaining as the 1960 version, this 1978 adaptation is not absolutely disastrous either.

When it comes to accurately depicting HG Wells' original book, the 1960 "Time Machine" film is the weaker version, not this one