What Is Timeline About?
The premise of Timeline in 307 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet halls of a modern research institute, a team of archaeologists uncovers a centuries‑old mystery buried beneath the French countryside. Their excavation of the ruined village of Castlegard awakens a secret of the past: a wormhole that can bridge the gap between the 21st century and the tumultuous year of 1357, when the Hundred Years’ War rages across the fields of France and England. The discovery promises a once‑in‑a‑lifetime glimpse into history, but it also threatens to pull the present into a world of steel, blood, and chivalry.
At the heart of the expedition stand Professor Edward Johnston, a seasoned scholar whose love of the past is matched only by his obsession with protecting his family. His son Chris wrestles with the pull of duty and the distractions of a budding romance, while Kate Erickson, the keen‑eyed field specialist, balances scientific rigor with a restless curiosity about the lives hidden in the ancient stones. Alongside them, the charismatic mercenary André Marek offers a pragmatic edge, Josh Stern lends technical expertise, and François Dontelle provides the essential bridge between modern English and medieval French. Their intertwined motives create a dynamic tapestry of mentorship, loyalty, and unspoken tension that fuels the narrative long before the first step through time.
When the chance to rescue the professor arises, the group must decide whether to chase a fleeting glimpse of the past or risk being forever entangled in its wars. The promise of a daring rescue invites them into a world where castles loom, battle cries echo across moors, and every decision tests their ingenuity and courage. The tone melds visceral adventure with thoughtful reflection, inviting viewers to wonder how modern minds will survive—and perhaps thrive—in the midst of medieval conflict, all while the bonds between the characters are forged in the fire of an uncertain journey through time.
What Happens in Timeline?
The complete story of Timeline, from the first scene to the last, in 781 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A man desperately tries to flee a knight through a dense forest but is ultimately caught and struck with a sword before he inexplicably vanishes. He is later found barely clinging to life in the barren desert, where he utters only a single word: Castlegard. Unfortunately, he succumbs shortly after being rushed to a hospital, leaving behind a pendant marked with the insignia of ITC Corp. Doctors find that his X-ray images depict a disturbing misalignment of internal organs, veins, and bones. Soon enough, an employee from ITC Corp. appears, identifying the deceased as Vincent Taub, and swiftly covers up the incident.
Meanwhile, Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly) leads a team of archaeologists, including his son Chris (Paul Walker), Kate Erickson (Frances O’Connor), Josh Stern (Ethan Embry), François Dontelle (Rossif Sutherland), and André Marek (Gerard Butler), to excavate the ruins of Castlegard in France. The village was razed in 1357 during the Hundred Years War, a significant event that inspired a French victory, spurred by the hanging of Lady Claire (Anna Friel), the sister of the valiant Arnaud de Cervole. While conducting their research, Chris’s attention is more focused on Kate than on the dig, until André reveals a sarcophagus containing a French knight with a unique anomaly—his ear has been lopped off.
Suspecting foul play from ITC, Prof. Johnston decides to visit their headquarters in New Mexico. A few days later, without any updates, the team stumbles upon a 600-year-old parchment begging for help, along with one of the professor’s lost bifocal lenses. When Chris contacts ITC for information about his father, he is assured that everything will be explained in New Mexico. Once there, ITC president Robert Doniger (David Thewlis) and vice-president Steven Kramer (Matt Craven) reveal a shocking secret: they possess a time travel device powered by a wormhole, enabling travel back to Castlegard in 1357. Realizing that his father is trapped in the past, Chris, Kate, and André convince François to join them as he is the only fluent French speaker among them. They are accompanied by three marines to ensure security, unbeknownst to them that one marine has a covert mission to eliminate someone.
The team arrives in a perilous scenario, facing a rushing river and aggressive English riders, as warned by the French fugitive, Lady Claire. During this chaotic entry, two marines meet their demise. One marine, as he lays dying, activates his marker—a device that could return them to the present—but not before a forbidden grenade causes severe damage to their time machine. In a tense reunion, Claire reconnects with her brother Arnaud (Lambert Wilson) during their capture by the English forces, particularly the ruthless Lord Oliver de Vannes (Michael Sheen), who orders the execution of François under the guise of espionage.
As the group finds themselves imprisoned in an attic alongside Prof. Johnston, Kate, being the lightest and most agile, cunningly escapes through the roof to liberate her friends. They prepare for a confrontation against their captors, one that becomes increasingly violent. They realize that saving themselves may inevitably lead to regret, particularly when Sir William DeKere (Marton Csokas) reveals his identity as a former ITC insider, now severely changed from the toll taken by time travel.
DeKere, armed with their markers, causes chaos, leaving the group scrambling for survival as they gather to activate their last chance for return. With the markers’ energy waning, it becomes crucial for them to remain united in a clear space for their escape. During this time-traveling adventure, André finds a romantic connection with Claire, while Chris and Kate spark their own budding romance. As Kate leads Chris and Arnaud’s forces to a secret passage under La Roque Castle, their intervention leads to a twist in the battle, swinging the odds in favor of the French.
In a final clash, Lord Oliver captures Claire, but Arnaud avenges his sister by killing Oliver, and André, faced with DeKere, struggles to embrace his true identity as the knight from the sarcophagus. With newfound courage, he defeats DeKere, allowing the rest to gather for their return to the present.
Back in modern times, Josh and Kramer work to repair the damaged time machine, despite Doniger’s indifference to the cost of human lives for the sake of scientific progress. As the crew successfully returns, Doniger, eager to continue his experiments, recklessly attempts to enter the transmit area without a marker and is swiftly met with a fatal fate by a charging knight. Later, at the ruins of Castlegard, the archaeologists find solace in reading the sarcophagus inscription created by André and Claire, which speaks of a life filled with joy and the legacy of their three children: Christophe, Katherine, and François.
Timeline Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Desperate Escape” to “Legacy of Castlegard”. 15 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Desperate Escape
A man flees through a dense forest, desperately trying to escape a pursuing knight. Despite his efforts, he is eventually caught and struck with a sword, leading to his mysterious vanishing from the scene.
Where:Unknown Forest
- 2
Mysterious Discovery
The man is later discovered in a barren desert, barely clinging to life. He utters the word 'Castlegard' before succumbing shortly after being rushed to a hospital, revealing an unsettling pendant marked with the ITC Corp insignia.
Where:Barren Desert
- 3
Strange Medical Findings
Doctors investigate the man's condition and find disturbing anomalies in his X-ray images, showing a misalignment of internal organs, veins, and bones. This perplexes the medical staff and sets off alarm bells regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Where:Hospital
- 4
ITC Corp Involvement
An employee from ITC Corp arrives at the hospital, identifying the deceased as Vincent Taub. The incident is quickly covered up by the ITC representative, raising suspicions about the company's intentions.
Where:Hospital
- 5
The Archaeological Team
Professor Edward Johnston leads a team of archaeologists to excavate the ruins of Castlegard in France. This village was destroyed during the Hundred Years War, a significant event in French history that inspired a decisive victory due to the hanging of Lady Claire.
Where:Castlegard, France
- 6
Excavation Revelations
While focusing on the dig, Chris, Professor Johnston's son, is distracted by his attraction to Kate. The team discovers a sarcophagus containing a French knight with a peculiar anomaly: an ear that has been lopped off.
Where:Dig Site
- 7
A Journey to ITC
Concerned about the connection to ITC, Professor Johnston decides to visit their headquarters in New Mexico. His team discovers a 600-year-old parchment begging for help, alongside the professor's lost bifocal lenses, hinting at unresolved mysteries.
Where:ITC Headquarters, New Mexico
- 8
The Time Travel Revelation
At ITC, the president, Robert Doniger, reveals they possess a time travel device powered by a wormhole. When the team learns that Vincent is trapped in the past, they decide to travel back to Castlegard in 1357 to rescue him.
Where:ITC Headquarters, New Mexico
- 9
Arrival in the Past
The team arrives in 1357, facing immediate peril from rushing rivers and aggressive English riders. The chaos leads to the deaths of two marines, raising tensions as they fight to stay alive and reassess their situation.
Where:Castlegard, 1357
- 10
Prisoners of War
The group is captured by Lord Oliver de Vannes' forces, with François facing execution under the false charge of espionage. Meanwhile, Claire reconnects with her brother Arnaud, heightening the stakes as they plot their escape.
Where:Enemy Prison
Show the other 5 events of Timeline Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Clever Escape
Kate manages to escape captivity using her agility and cunning. She orchestrates a plan to free her friends as they prepare for a confrontation against their English captors, leading to an intense and violent struggle.
Where:Prison Attic
- 12
Facing Truths of Time Travel
During their escape, Sir William DeKere's identity as a former ITC insider is revealed, shedding light on the devastating effects of time travel. The group must confront their doubts and fears as the chaos around them escalates.
Where:Castlegard, 1357
- 13
Final Battle
In a climactic showdown, Lord Oliver captures Claire, provoking Arnaud to seek vengeance for his sister. André faces off against DeKere, ultimately finding the courage to accept his identity and defeat him, paving the way for their escape.
Where:Battlefield, Castlegard
- 14
Return to the Present
Back in modern times, the team works to repair their damaged time machine while Doniger remains indifferent to the loss of life incurred. The group finally succeeds in returning to their timeline, but not without dire consequences.
Where:ITC Headquarters, New Mexico
- 15
Legacy of Castlegard
At the ruins of Castlegard, the archaeologists find solace in an inscription created by André and Claire. It speaks of their life together and the legacy of their children, providing closure to their harrowing experiences.
Where:Ruins of Castlegard
Who Are the Main Characters in Timeline?
3 characters, among them Edward Johnston, Chris and André Marek: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Edward Johnston
Played by Billy Connolly
Professor Edward Johnston is the leader of the archaeological team, driven by a passion for history and a sense of duty to uncover the secrets of the past. His determination to rescue his son and colleagues illustrates his protective nature and undying commitment to family.
- 👨🏫 Leader
- 📚 Scholar
- 🕵️♂️ Explorer
-
Chris
Played by Paul Walker
Chris is the professor's son whose initial focus on romance transitions into a quest for familial loyalty. His character evolves as he faces the dangers of time travel, demonstrating growth and maturity in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
- 🧑🎓 Son
- ❤️ Romantic
- 💪 Evolved
-
André Marek
Played by Gerard Butler
André Marek is a passionate archaeologist who finds himself drawn to the past in both a literal and emotional sense. His connection with Lady Claire highlights his romantic side while also revealing his inner strength as he faces the realities of time travel.
- 💖 Romantic
- 🏰 Knight
- 💼 Archaeologist
Where and When Is Timeline Set?
Timeline is set in Castlegard, France and New Mexico (1357, Modern Day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1357, Modern Day
The movie spans two distinct time periods: the medieval era during the Hundred Years War in 1357, marked by battles and heroism, and contemporary times where scientific advancements have led to time travel. This juxtaposition of times explores the implications of human actions and historical events on the present.
Where
Castlegard, France, New Mexico
Castlegard is a historical village in France known for its significant role during the Hundred Years War, where a French victory took place. Its ruins hold secrets from 1357, including stories of bravery and sacrifice. New Mexico serves as the modern headquarters for ITC Corp, where the past and future collide through its time travel experiments.
- 🏰 Historical
- 🌍 Adventure
- 🏜️ Desert
What Are the Themes of Timeline?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Time Travel, Sacrifice and Heroism.
-
01
Time Travel
The theme of time travel is central to the narrative, highlighting the intersection of past and present. Characters navigate through historical conflicts, facing moral dilemmas arising from their interference in the timeline. Their adventures underscore the complexity and dangers of altering history.
-
02
Sacrifice
Sacrifice emerges as a poignant theme as characters face life-and-death situations. The choices they make for their loved ones and comrades reveal their deep emotional ties and the cost of survival. The blur between survival and regret raises questions about the value of life in desperate circumstances.
-
03
Heroism
Heroism is portrayed through the characters' bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. As they confront ruthless foes and save each other, their actions reflect both personal courage and collective strength. This theme is embodied in the historical context of the fight for freedom during wartime.
What Kind of Film Is Timeline?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced and thrilling rescue mission through time that plunges modern characters into the brutal reality of medieval warfare, creating a tense atmosphere of constant danger and urgent survival.
- thrilling
- tense
- adventurous
- urgent
- dangerous
- romantic
- time travel
- rescue mission
- medieval warfare
- scientific hubris
Content notes: war violence, character deaths, execution, fatal scientific accident.
Quiz
How well do you remember Timeline? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Timeline
Stream it on Hoopla and MGM Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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