The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 17, 2021

The world of B-movies is loaded with tales of sci-fi and weird science, with most productions careful to portion out thrills, saving real action or suspense for the last five minutes of the film. 1964’s “The Time Travelers” is the rare endeavor to hit the ground running with its oddity, rarely pausing to deal with melodrama or superfluous characters. Writer/director Ib Melchior is committed to a snappy pace for the effort, which largely details a countdown situation involving an escape from a destroyed Earth. There are pressure points to analyze, mutants to battle, and literal magic tricks to stage, giving “The Time Travelers” plenty to do as it attempts to mount a bravely downbeat study of time loop hell.

Dr. Erik (Preston Foster), Dr. Steve (Philip Carey), and Dr. Carol (Merry Anders) are scientists working on an experimental project that creates a special window to a different time, allowing them to cross through it and step into the past or future. When tech Danny (Steve Franken) decides to walk into 2071, he’s quickly overwhelmed by mutant inhabitants, forcing Erik, Steve, and Carol to follow him, soon trapped in the future. The foursome finds their way to Dr. Varno (John Hoyt), who’s planning to exit a ruined Earth with other human survivors, preparing a rocket to another planet while the newcomers get used to their new surroundings.

Other movies take an eternity to establish character and threat, but “The Time Travelers” is ready to visit 2071 within its first ten minutes. It’s direct line to the plot that makes the film refreshing, with Melchior stripping the screenplay of distractions, ready to get to the central conflict, which has the scientists dealing with being left behind as Dr. Varno prepares his special rocket. “The Time Travelers” makes time to explore the subterranean surroundings, inspecting the odd-looking androids used for labor purposes, and there’s an erotic/romantic side to the material as well, with Danny falling in love with a surviving human (Delores Wells). There’s a strange cartoonishness to the score and certain sequences, but “The Time Travelers” always finds a way to surprise viewers, especially when Melchior turns to magic tricks to help fuel screen weirdness, generating some fascinating special effects.

The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as a "thrilling adventure from a brand new 2020 2K scan," "The Time Travelers" provides an interesting viewing experience. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation leads with bright colors, finding sets for the underground lair registering with shades of blue and purple, while costuming offers more white and green hues. Skintones are natural, and makeup is defined, finding cherry lips and blonde hair striking, while the more pinkish appearance of the androids is preserved. Detail is satisfactory, doing well with rubbery android heads and human skin particulars. Set decoration is open for study, and location visits are dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is film-like. Source is in reasonable condition, with clear signs of age and use. Speckling is common, along with light scratches. Frame blemishes are present and reel changes are rough.

The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix also carries age-related issues, with hiss present throughout the listening event, along with periodic buzzing. Highs are on the crispy side at times. It's not a sharp listening event, but dialogue exchanges are intelligible. Scoring cues offer a louder sense of orchestral presence, but doesn't drown out the action.

The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:25, HD) is included.

The Time Travelers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Future world touches are neat, from seductive instruments to day spas, and tension grows as the day of the launch nears. Where the story ultimately leads is quite unusual, as Melchior asks the audience to accept a challenging ending, and one that's ideal for this type of time-looping story. "The Time Travelers" isn't a severe examination of science and it's not out to deliver warm fuzzies. It's somewhere in the B-movie middle, with Melchior trying to summon entertainment value while protecting his finishing move, masterminding a unique study of time-based panic.