Timeline (2003)

A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Michael Crichton (novel), Jeff Maguire (screenplay),

Stars:

Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Gerard Butler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Walker	...	Chris Johnston
Frances O'Connor	...	Kate Ericson
Gerard Butler	...	Andre Marek
Billy Connolly	...	Professor Johnston
David Thewlis	...	Robert Doniger
Anna Friel	...	Lady Claire
Neal McDonough	...	Frank Gordon
Matt Craven	...	Steven Kramer
Ethan Embry	...	Josh Stern
Michael Sheen	...	Lord Oliver
Lambert Wilson	...	Lord Arnaut
Marton Csokas	...	Sir William De Kere / William Decker
Rossif Sutherland	...	François Dontelle
Steve Kahan	...	Baker
David La Haye	...	Arnaut's Deputy

Storyline

In this case, a group of archaeologists and combat experts led by Paul Walker and Frances O'Connor use a "3-D fax machine" (so much for technobabble!) to time-travel back to France in 1357, in hopes of retrieving Walker's father and returning safely to the present. No such luck! Fending for themselves against marauding hordes of medieval French warriors at war with the invading British, these semi-intrepid travelers find their body count rising, and the deadline for their return home is rapidly approaching.

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Plot Keywords:

professor | student | france | castle | monastery | 

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Taglines:

They had to travel into the past to save the future

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount UIP [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

26 November 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prisonniers du temps

Filming Locations:

Harrington, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$549,289 (Italy) (9 July 2004)

Gross:

$549,289 (Italy) (9 July 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Mutual Film Company, Donners' Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Twice in the movie (first when Lady Claire is reunited with the French knights, and later in the final battle), a French knight's shield has the Québec flag painted on it. These scenes where shot in Québec, along with every 14th century France scenes.

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Goofs

The film completely misrepresents the languages being spoken at the time. In 1357, when the film takes place, neither modern French nor modern English would have been spoken. The English would have been speaking Middle English (a language closer in pronunciation and vocabulary to Old English) and the French would have been speaking Occitan - a combination of Middle French and Latin. Certain members of both sides would have spoken Latin, especially the clergy. Michael Crichton details these languages in his book but the film ignores them.

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Quotes

Marek: We're speaking the same language, but you don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
Lady Claire: No.

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Connections

Featured in The Textures of 'Timeline' (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Just A Little Bad"
Written and Performed by Vikkie Rae Jordan
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari/MasterSource

User Reviews

Enjoyed It

I truly enjoyed this movie. It really isn't as bad as most of the reviews I've read make it out to be. It was not horrible or a waste of time. I rented it first and liked it so much I bought it. I'd recommend it for anyone who enjoys Sci-Fi movies for their entertainment value. I haven't read the book, so I can't make any comparisons. I think the whole story came together smoothly. Overall the acting was good, however Paul Walker would probably benefit from a few more classes. Gerard Butler was awesome in his role as Marek. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot him in the future (no pun intended). I loved the beginning, the end, and everything in between. I give it a strong 8.