Timeline (2003)

A group of archaeologists become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve a friend. The group must survive in 14th century France before they can escape back to the 21st Century.

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Michael Crichton (novel), Jeff Maguire (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Walker, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly

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

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:

time machine | professor | student | france | castle | 

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Taglines:

In 6 hours they'll be history!

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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 [France]

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 USA:

$8,440,629, 30 November 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$19,481,943

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,453,820

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

Michael Crichton took the unusual step of offering up the film rights for free provided the movie entered into production immediately. Crichton had a back-end deal set up on the basis that his script be used for the film. Ironically, Crichton ended up hating the finished film.

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Goofs

When explaining to the group how they would travel to 1357, it is explained that the fax machine was developed 30 years ago. In fact, it was first patented in 1843 by Alexander Bain, and commercially introduced and patented 119 years later in 1964 by Xerox Corporation.

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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

Referenced in El ministerio del tiempo: Tiempo de hidalgos (2016)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

The movie is fine, but treat yourself and read the book too

Based on some of the other comments I was expecting to hate this movie. I didn't, but I see why the reviews seem so negative. There are so many things to pick at, and no real bright spots to talk up.

It really wasn't that bad. It wasn't great, but it's worth a rental. I'm not sure I would have felt I got my money's worth in the theater.

I'm sure it was a tough chore to convert the original story to a 2-hour movie script. They had to take several liberties and condense quite a bit to do so. Unfortunately, that affected the flow and the movie ends up being a little choppy. How and why they go back in time is pretty well cut out of the movie and without any detail the believability is nil. The story boils down to a pretty standard chase and explosion thriller set in the middle ages.

Definitely treat yourself to a read of the book the movie is based on. Like any book, the depth of characterization is so much more rich and interesting than what comes through in the movie. Once you get past the introductory technical jargon to set up the story it is a real page turner.