The Time Machine (1960)

A man's vision for a utopian society is disillusioned when travelling forward into time reveals a dark and dangerous society.

Director:

George Pal

Writers:

David Duncan (screenplay), H.G. Wells (novel)

Stars:

Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rod Taylor	...	H. George Wells
Alan Young	...	David Filby / James Filby
Yvette Mimieux	...	Weena
Sebastian Cabot	...	Dr. Philip Hillyer
Tom Helmore	...	Anthony Bridewell
Whit Bissell	...	Walter Kemp
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Watchett

Storyline

On January 5, 1900, a disheveled looking H.G. Wells - George to his friends - arrives late to his own dinner party. He tells his guests of his travels in his time machine, the work about which his friends knew. They were also unbelieving, and skeptical of any practical use if it did indeed work. George knew that his machine was stationary in geographic position, but he did not account for changes in what happens over time to that location. He also learns that the machine is not impervious and he is not immune to those who do not understand him or the machine's purpose. George tells his friends that he did not find the Utopian society he so wished had developed. He mentions specifically a civilization several thousand years into the future which consists of the subterranean morlocks and the surface dwelling eloi, who on first glance lead a carefree life. Despite all these issues, love can still bloom over the spread of millennia.

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Plot Keywords:

time machine | distant future | post apocalypse | dystopia | future | 

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Taglines:

The Time Machine whirls you to a world of amazing adventure in the year 800,000!

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1960 (France)

Also Known As:

H. G. Wells' The Time Machine

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$750,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$3,509,800, 31 December 1960

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,689,800, 31 December 1960

Company Credits

Production Co:

George Pal Productions,Galaxy Films Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 89 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The grand staircase leading up to the great dome is a famous MGM landmark among trivia buffs. Built for Kismet (1944), it was miraculously saved from razing by an executive who wisely thought maybe they could use it again. Situated outdoors on Lot 3, not far from the Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Street set, it showed up in numerous films and TV shows (twice on The Twilight Zone (1959)) over the years.

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Goofs

George engineers a machine large enough for him to ride through time, yet all the decor in his laboratory is chemistry equipment.

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Quotes

George: 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.

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Connections

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996)

User Reviews

This is soooo good

Yes, this is the movie that I wanted to see all my life. A trip 1 million years into the future. And what a magnificent future they´ve come up with. Man is slave to the creatures that lives under the surface. And the people (all kids) have nothing to fight the creatures with. Cause they don´t like...know that they are bad. They have no books, no nothing to tell them how the world was a million years ago. Very very good, guaranteed goosebumps. The Time Machine 10/10 in points.