Kevin and I re-watched Timeline the other night. We watched it when it first came out, before I even knew who Gerard Butler was! I had forgotten how much we enjoyed it – and the next day I watched it again with the boys. Right up their alley – time travel and sword-fighting.
Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) and Kate (Frances Connor) are part of a team of archeaologists working with Professor Johnston, played by Billy Connolly. They are digging at the location of a famous battle between the French and English during the 100 Years’ War. Professor Johnston leaves to visit his mysterious sponsor, who keeps giving him eerily accurate clues to the location of important artifacts. While he is gone, Marek and Kate and Johnston’s son Chris (Paul Walker) uncover a portion of the monastery that has been buried for hundreds of years. Funny thing is, they find a lens from Prof. Johnston’s bifocal glasses and also a note written and signed by him on a piece of parchment.
They discover that the dig’s sponsor, ITC, has discovered a wormhole through time that leads directly back to the 14th century. Prof. Johnston has gone back in time, and now Marek, Kate, Chris, their interpreter Francois, and a team of Marines must go back and try to bring him home to the future.
Not only is this a great adventure, there is a wonderful romantic element as well, in which Marek falls in love with a 14th century woman, Lady Claire. It was also fun to discover other actors that I have come to love since I watched it the first time: Neal McDonough from Band of Brothers and David Thewlis – Professor Lupin from Harry Potter, especially.
Four out of five boxes of popcorn
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
I’ve never even heard of this one, but I’m not surprised it was a rewatch for you since Butler is in it! I’ll have to get it on my Q. I’m always looking for movies for the kids.
Have you read the book?
I read (and loved!) the book by Micheal Crichton and then watched the film, which I also loved.
This film was panned by the critics when it was released, and I always wondered if this was because they hadn’t read the book. The critics said it was difficult to follow – did you find this to be the case?
I saw a bit of it on TV last month, and saw how dated it was looking. It is weird seeing films from the 1990s looking dated. Time flies!!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – Keep in mind, it does have some language. Nothing major, but in a couple of situations where youwould naturally swear, the characters did. Didn’t bother me or my kdis, but wanted to give you a head’s up.
Jackie – I haven’t read the book! In fact, until I looked at the credits, I didn’t realize that it was a book adaptation. I’m going to have to look up the book. Oh, and I didn’t have trouble folllowing it at all.
I’ve never heard of this one. Must be good for 4 bags o’ popcorn. I’ll have to check it out!