Time Machine, The (US)

`The Time Machine` is producer/director George Pal`s cinematic interpretation of H.G. Wells`s classic tale of time travel. H. G. Wells work has suffered many film versions - some of them quite terrible - and while Pal`s production departs from Wells`s storyline in many places, it remains true to the spirit to the original and has become something of a classic in its own right. With this stunning DVD release, Warner Home Video has given fans of the film, and science fiction in general, something truly special.

`The Time Machine` opens with guests arriving for a dinner party (Alan Young in the roles of father and son David and James Filby, Sebastian Cabot as Dr. Philip Hillyer Tom Helmore as Anthony Bridewell, Whit Bissell as Walter Kemp and Doris Lloyd as Mrs. Watchett the housekeeper) at the home of inventor George Wells (Rod Taylor). When he has not appeared by 8 o`clock Mrs Watchett announces that they are to start without him. Just as the meal is due to start in staggers a dishevelled George. He then tells them what has happened since they last met 5 days ago on New Years` Eve 1899.

He had invited them there to witness the unveiling of a small prototype of his newest creation - the time machine. As he demonstrates the device, George becomes increasingly agitated by the seeming indifference of his friends who are unable to comprehend why a man would ever wish to travel through time. But Wells, whose pacifist nature has been strained by the ongoing Boer War, has hopes for a brighter future for mankind and, after bidding farewell to his guests, he secretly decides to take his full-scale time machine for a test. As George slowly moves forward through time he becomes increasingly bold and jumps ahead ever further. With brief stops in 1918 and 1940, he bears witness to a Great Britain once again at war. With another stop in 1966, George sees nuclear satellites rain out of the sky and destroy the city around him. A volcano erupts and - just in time - he jams the time travel lever full ahead as the lava covers him. Travelling forward in time until the mountain around him has eroded away he comes to a stop in the year 802,701. George stumbles upon what at first appears to be a perfect Eden populated by the gentle Eloi - whose every want and need is mysteriously and magically fulfilled. Thinking that he has found the true apex of man`s evolution, he cannot understand why no one but him will help Weena (Yvette Mimieux), when she falls in the river and nearly drowns.

This Eden is only a mirage that conceals the darker secret of mankind`s development. For the real power rests with the hideous Morlocks, who live in an underground lair and feast upon their flock of placid Eloi. It is after saving his Time Machine from the Morlocks that George is back in his own home. As George has fallen in love with Weena he must decide if he should say in his own time or go `back to the future` and help what is left of the human race regain their humanity.

`The Time Machine` is presented in its original 1.78:1 format and is anamorphically enhanced for 16 x 9 televisions. This transfer is quite exquisite. Colours are wonderfully deep, and display the full glory of the late 1950`s early 1960`s colour processes (in this case Metrocolor) when people such as `Charles K. Hagedon Colour Consultant` would appear in the credits. Blacks are solid as well with even the finest gradations remaining separate. The image is very sharp, without resorting to edge enhancement, and all the smallest details, from the texture of a man`s suit to the individual petals of a flower, really stand out. There are a few small imperfections in the source elements that pop up as small white specks but this is never terribly distracting. The audio on the disc is a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix of the film`s stereo soundtrack. As far as 5.1 remixes go, this one is fairly good. Dialogue is always clear and anchored firmly to the centre channel. The score has very nice range and spreads to envelop the entire front soundstage. In only a few instances do the rear speakers come alive with the sounds of aircraft and bombs overhead. All in all the audio is very good and the new mix doesn`t try to stretch the original materials too far beyond their means.

As for extras, `The Time Machine` contains a documentary entitled `The Time Machine: The Journey Back,` which is hosted by Rod Taylor and features appearances by Alan Young and Whit Bissell, among others. This 50-minute feature covers many aspects of the film`s production from the wonderful special effects (done on a very small budget but quite impressive nonetheless) to an exploration of the theme of time travel in the movies. Rod Taylor obviously has a soft spot for `The Time Machine` and his enthusiasm is infectious. Rounding out the extras is the very entertaining original theatrical trailer and talent files on the major stars and George Pal.

Now we get to the only real complaint with this DVD. The packaging lists a music-only track as a bonus feature but, said track is nowhere to be found. It doesn`t matter that the feature had to be left out, but it is incumbent upon studios to make sure that the packaging reflects any last-minute changes. After all someone could buy the disk particularly for that `extra`. We see errors like this slip by far too often and it is grossly unfair that consumers are mislead in such a manner.

`The Time Machine` is classic science fiction at its very best. The themes it explores are well thought out and amply illustrated by George Pal`s signature miniature and effects work. From the lush matte paintings - to the time-lapse passing of time for the traveller - to the stop-motion construction and destruction of entire new worlds, the special effects are perfectly integrated into the story and never seem out of place - even though you will never once mistake them for real. If only you could say the same about some of the latest CGI-filled films. Wonderful acting by all involved has ensured that over the years many others have marvelled at the `brave new world` and fallen for the 18 year old Yvette Mimieux in only her 3rd film.

`The Time Machine` is a classic that can be enjoyed by all but the youngest members of the family (The Morlocks and some scenes of decomposition may be a bit extreme for the very young ones). Warner Home Video has really delivered the goods with this DVD release and given this gem of a movie the care it so richly deserves (missing isolated score not withstanding).