The Time Machine

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The Time Machine

G

1960

1h 43m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Scientist H.G. Wells builds a time machine, and despite the warning from his friend David 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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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jun 5, 2007

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

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

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

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

May 9, 2005

2.5/5

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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Dec 14, 2025

4/5

‘…better than the CGI remake, The Time Machine is a charming movie with a serious point, adored by intricate, imaginative handmade special effects that still impress today….the sci-fi trappings disguise a fierce and precise anti-war message...'

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Jun 26, 2021

4/4

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.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 27, 2020

9/10

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

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Jim P

@RT08384096 1 day ago

I love this story, and this is the best movie version. Mesmerising, although the effects are a little dated for our time.

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Kenneth S

@kmsscs7685 Sep 13, 2026

The definitive "Time Machine" Rod Taylor superb as the Time Traveler, Yvette Mimieux was perfect as the totally naive, innocent, Weena. Stuck pretty much to the Victorian setting and the novel. Would liked to have seen them take it out the two times he stopped in the far future before returning BUT budget restraints prevented it. Much better than the 1978 and 2002 remakes. They diverged so much from the novel as to be a total different story, UBER-Morlock, really?

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

This is a classic Movie!

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Chris G

@biotechmgr Jun 22, 2026

A very good film overall with at least a couple of thought provoking themes available (great in this regard IMO) to the viewer. The early anti war theme is readily obvious as is survival. The survival theme continues as it progresses forward into the futuristic landscape and "society" with a class conflict of a different sort. It may help to understand this film was made in the heat of the Cold War and the sentiments implied have this underlying tone to them. Shocking really to see some of the reviews which pan this good not great film with a fabulous premise executed well enough to keep one's interest and to enjoy the adventure while appreciating a few moral observations. Dated 1960 the film is not too dated and does better than most sci fi films of the era.

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Mitch B

@RT97279008 Jul 10, 2025

They honored H. G. Wells with this movie.

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Blobbo X

@Blobbo Feb 2, 2025

Was captivating for this young blob. (Yvette Mimieux helped, maybe.)

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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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Synopsis

Scientist H.G. Wells builds a time machine, and despite the warning from his friend David 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
Producer: George Pal
Screenwriter: H.G. Wells, David Duncan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Home Vídeo, Vídeo Arte
Production Co: Loew's Inc., Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Galaxy Films
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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