The Time Machine

G

Released Aug 17, 1960

1h 43m

Sci-Fi

List

76%

38 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Scientist H. George Wells (Rod Taylor) builds a time machine, and despite the warning from his friend David (Alan Young) against "tempting the laws of providence," decides to visit the future. Jumping ahead 14 years, he observes changes in women's fashion. Jumping ahead 40, he meets David's son (also Young) amid a terrible war. Finally, he travels thousands of years ahead to discover a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by humanoid Eloi and the monstrous Morlocks that feed on them.

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Critics Consensus

Its campy flourishes tend to subdue its dramatic stakes, but The Time Machine brings H.G. Wells' story to life with plenty of sci-fi charm and a colorful sense of visual design.

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Richard H

Great movie! It is a thinking man's sci-fi movie. Yes it's over 60 yrs old , but is very entertaining and well acted with a thought provoking story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

Full Review

DaMrNuggz

Insanely great movie it feels longer then it is but thats a good thing about this movie a great plot and story and quiet original

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Al s

Suspenseful movie. I have watched the movie many times

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/23

Full Review

Alec B

The 1960 version of The Time Machine follows it source material closely and adds a few interesting insights into what the early 20th century actually had in store for the traveler (and what people expected would come from the cold war). However, the removal of social commentary on the class system and the typical 1960s infantilization of women on screen will leave something of a sour taste in the mouths of today's viewers. While Rod Taylor proves himself a decent narrator, Yvette Mimieux was limited to poor character development and the role of the "helpless women" stereotype.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

Bruce H

George Pal's classic vision of H.G. Wells's novel is given a loving, nostalgic charm with its wonderful Victorian sets and the warm devotion of friendship in this science-fiction adventure! Rod Taylor turns in a memorable role as the scientist whose ingenious invention catapults him into the far future to witness the fate of mankind on Earth. Lovely Yvette Mimieux stars in her first major role as one of the race of people known as Eloi. Alan Young is the close friend of the scientist, along with veteran co-stars, Sebastian Cabot, Whit Bissell and Thomas Helmore. Doris Lloyd plays the housekeeper, Mrs. Watchitt. But, the real star of this wonderful film is the magnificent Time Machine itself! A fantastic design from William Ferrari , the magical wonder looks as though it could actually transport its occupant into the span of millenia yet unseen! A must-see adventure for the ages!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

tim s

"The Time Machine" written by H.G. Wells is based in the year 1900 and sees an inventor named H. George Wells ( Rod Taylor ) invent a machine capable of moving through time itself. After announcing his invention to his doubting friends he becomes somewhat disillusioned with his current situation and undertakes his first journey into the future. However the utopia he believes he will find is marred by wars and destruction. When he decides he has gone far enough into the future George Wells finds that humans are not what they once were. Written in 1895 HG Wells novel was visionary, combining future evolution with changing technologies and military might. By 1960 some of the books future history was already known so it's hard, without reading the book, to know what Wells actually predicted and got right. However, Taylor plays Wells so well, that he convincingly gives the audience the hero's perspective of the loss of innocence that came after experiencing wars and the destruction caused by mankind. As Wells moves faster into the future he comes into contact with a pure simplistic civilisation but ruled by cannibalistic mutants. The age old battle between good and evil seems appropriate but somewhat blurred as both races evolved from humans from Wells time. Despite some of the special effects being a little dated, the film has some great moments, particularly the ever changing display in the clothes shop window. "The Time Machine" has a number of memorable and unnerving moments that builds a sense of existential dread until it reaches its inevitable conclusion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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George Pal

Director

Rod Taylor

George (H. G. Wells)

Alan Young

David Filby

Yvette Mimieux

Weena

Sebastian Cabot

Dr. Philip Hillyer

Tom Helmore

Anthony Bridewell

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Parts of it are colorful and imaginative, but the film flattens out toward the end.

Jun 5, 2007

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

The quaint time machine and Oscar-winning special effects hold one's interest initially, but the overall effect is one of glossy emptiness.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

The drama, for all its invention, is creaky and a bit pass.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 9, 2005

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

It has the epic feel that you need, and it hasn't quite gotten to the goofiness of the 60s yet... It's authentic, and I think it strives to be like the book.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 26, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

An unforgettable, breathtaking adventure and a staple of the science-fiction genre.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 27, 2020

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

His new opus is a disappointment by comparison, with ingenious trick photography but an awfully silly story...

Nov 7, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Scientist H. George Wells (Rod Taylor) builds a time machine, and despite the warning from his friend David (Alan Young) against "tempting the laws of providence," decides to visit the future. Jumping ahead 14 years, he observes changes in women's fashion. Jumping ahead 40, he meets David's son (also Young) amid a terrible war. Finally, he travels thousands of years ahead to discover a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by humanoid Eloi and the monstrous Morlocks that feed on them.

Director: George Pal
Screenwriter: H.G. Wells, David Duncan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Home Vídeo, Vídeo Arte
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Galaxy Films, Loew's Inc.
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 17, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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