Timeline (2003)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers (WGA):

Michael Crichton (novel)
Jeff Maguire (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 November 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

They had to travel into the past to save the future

Plot:

A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.

Plot Keywords:

France | Ruins | Battle | Village | Team

Cast

Paul Walker	...	Chris Johnston
Frances O'Connor	...	Kate Ericson
Gerard Butler	...	Andre Marek
Billy Connolly	...	Professor E.A. Johnston
David Thewlis	...	Robert Doniger
Anna Friel	...	Lady Claire
Neal McDonough	...	Frank Gordon
Matt Craven	...	Steven Kramer
Ethan Embry	...	Josh Stern
Michael Sheen	...	Lord Oliver
Lambert Wilson	...	Lord Arnaut
Marton Csokas	...	Sir William De Kere / William Decker
Rossif Sutherland	...	François Dontelle
Steve Kahan	...	Baker
David La Haye	...	Arnaut's Deputy

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and brief language.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U | Argentina:13 | Brazil:12 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40033)

Filming Locations:

Harrington, Québec, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The film was originally set to open in April 2003, but due to poor test screenings Sherry Lansing the head of Paramount Pictures at the time ordered that the film be re edited in the process losing a crucial subplot that is touched on in the final version involving David Thewlis' character and also Jerry Goldsmith's score was replaced because he was not able to return to the scoring stage due to health reasons.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film completely misrepresents the languages being spoken at the time. In 1357, when the film takes place, neither modern French nor modern English would have been spoken. The English would have been speaking Middle English (a language closer in pronunciation and vocabulary to Old English) and the French would have been speaking Occitan - a combination of Middle French and Latin. Certain members of both sides would have spoken Latin, especially the clergy. Michael Chricton details these languages in his book but the film ignores them.

Quotes:

Lord Oliver: [to Lady Claire] God be with you, Lady.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Journey Through 'Timeline' (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Just A Little Bad

did the makers read the book?

I've read time line twice and its amazing. i don't understand how the film could have such poor production,the effects and sets were terrible! on its own its a poor film but if you've read the book its Even worse. i don't think the people who made it had ever read the book as the story is not right, so much of the plot was left out or ignored. Also the character relationships are often wrong (for example between Chris and prof Johnston) and there are extra characters (who is Francois dontelle?). there are also two female characters in the book which are for some reason male in the film (Steven Kramer is meant to be Diane Kramer, jimmy Gomez is also a woman in the book! worst of all they changed the ending! i waited 6 months to see this film and it was terrible, if your not going do something properly don't do it!!!! Also id like to suggest the makers read the book!!! they may relies what a crap film they made.