The Time Machine (1978): Cast & Plot
The Time Machine is a 1978 sci-fi adventure film directed by Henning Schellerup, starring John Beck as Neil Perry, Jack Kruschen and Whit Bissell. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Henning Schellerup
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sunn Classic Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Time Machine About?
The premise of The Time Machine without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A scientist builds a machine that will enable him to travel back and forth in time, but when he puts it in motion, he gets more than he bargained for.
The Time Machine Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- antimatter bomb
- backward time travel
- male time traveler
- time travel romance
- reference to time travel
- time travelling machine
- futuristic time traveler
- time travel technology
- forward time travel
- salem
- salem massachusetts
- salem witch trial
+38 more Show fewer
- salem witch trials
- salem witch hunt
- reference to salem massachusetts
- reference to the salem witch trials
- salem witchcraft trial
- gold rush
- california gold rush
- younger brothers
- incarceration
- unjust incarceration
- jail house
- jailed on suspicion
- escape from jail
- bank
- bank robbery
- bank robber
- bank heist
- horse
- horseback riding
- horseback
- sheriff
- town sheriff
- sheriff's badge
- male sheriff
- sheriff's posse
- small town sheriff
- mine
- gold mine
- miner
- psychotronic film
- based on the works of h.g. wells
- three word title
- remake
- dystopia
- philosophical conversation
- male protagonist
- mustached male
- blond
The Time Machine Cast & Characters
John Beck leads the cast as Neil Perry, with Jack Kruschen as John Bedford and Whit Bissell as Ralph Branly. Directed by Henning Schellerup; 28 actors are credited in all.
- Director Henning Schellerup
-
John Beck as Neil Perry -
Jack Kruschen as John Bedford -
Whit Bissell as Ralph Branly - Parley Baer as Henry Haverson
Also Starring in The Time Machine
· 24 more- Andrew Duggan Bean Worthington
- Julie Parrish Salem Quaker
- Priscilla Barnes Weena
- John Hansen Ariel
- Rosemary DeCamp Agnes
- R.G. Armstrong Gen. Harris
- John Doucette Sheriff Finley
- George 'Buck' Flower
- Bill Zuckert
- John Zaremba
- Craig Clyde
- Scott Wilkinson
- Peggy Stewart
- Michael Ruud
- H.E.D. Redford
- Paul Grace
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Henning Schellerup
More films directed by Henning Schellerup: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, In Search of Historic Jesus, The Black Alley Cats and Sweet Jesus, Preacherman.
The Time Machine Plot Summary
What happens in The Time Machine from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Neil Perry, John Beck, is a meticulous 1970s scientist working for the fictional defense contractor Mega Corporation. His gift for rapid problem-solving is proven when he quickly reprograms an off-course satellite, averting a disaster that could have leveled Los Angeles. That achievement helps him secure a generous grant—$20 million—for his ambitious time machine project. With the clock ticking toward a full breakthrough, the corporation presses him to pause the time machine work and pivot to a new, formidable weapons program—the so-called “anti-matter bomb.” Yet destiny gives Perry a break: the power module he needs for the time machine arrives ahead of schedule, allowing him to run a test just before the scheduled kick-off of the weapons project.
Full summary
The whole story of The Time Machine, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Time Machine?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the meticulous scientist who builds the time machine?
Cars in The Time Machine
2 cars on screen: the 1975 Chrysler Cordoba and the 1974 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar.
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1975 Chrysler Cordoba Background role -
1974 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar Background role
The Time Machine Also Known As
Also known as “La máquina del tiempo”.
- Also known as
-
- La máquina del tiempo
Seen The Time Machine?
Movies Like The Time Machine
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Time Machine, Time After Time and Time Chasers.
The Time Machine FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Time Machine, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Time Machine?
The Time Machine runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was The Time Machine released?
The Time Machine was released on November 5, 1978.
Who directed The Time Machine?
The Time Machine was directed by Henning Schellerup.
More films by Henning Schellerup Who is in the cast of The Time Machine?
The Time Machine stars John Beck as Neil Perry, Jack Kruschen as John Bedford and Whit Bissell as Ralph Branly, among 28 credited actors.
Does The Time Machine have a post-credit scene?
No. The Time Machine has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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