Unfortunately, there is no one who can attest to whether HG Wells turned in his grave on a March day in 2002. The legendary author and father of science fiction would have had occasion. Because at that time The Time Machine appeared in the cinemas, the Film adaptation of one of his most famous works. You can watch the flop on TV tonight.
That’s what HG Wells’ classic sci-fi story is all about
It was directed by Simon Wells, who was previously responsible for The Prince of Egypt, but was above all characterized by his family relationship: Wells is the author’s great-grandson. For his first (and only) real film he won stars like Guy Pearce and Jeremy Irons.
Warner Bros.
Guy Pearce in The Time Machine
Pearce plays the inventor Alexander Hartdegen, who, despite all odds, believes in the early 20th century Travel through time is possible. After a personal stroke of fate, he directs his entire existence towards proving this thesis. In fact, he succeeds. Unable to prevent the death of a loved one despite time travel, Alexander is drawn further and further into the future until he finds himself 800,000 years later in a world that no longer resembles his own.
The director was changed 18 days before the end of shooting
The film adaptation of the 1895 novel of the same name went through a series of directors before Simon Wells got the job. The effects-oriented large-scale production apparently demanded everything from him, because in May 2001 the report made the rounds that that Wells had pulled out due to exhaustion – 18 days before the end of shooting. Doctors have prescribed him at least two weeks of rest. At least that was the official explanation.
Warner Bros.
Jeremy Irons in The Time Machine
Gore Verbinski stood in for Wells. The director, who would later lift Pirates of the Caribbean for Disney, had already brought Mouse Hunt and Mexican to the cinema. But that wasn’t the only major change. Some scenes even surprised leading actor Guy Pearce. He revealed to the Los Angeles Times at the time that his character’s ending caught him by surprise when it premiered – they simply used a different actor for the shoot.
The Time Machine met with little critical acclaim, in part because the film begins as a gritty sci-fi drama about a traumatized hero and then loses track of that story entirely in order to throw effects at the screen. The Time Machine stops before it really starts. However, many viewers didn’t notice this because the film went under at the box office. Since then, Simon Wells has only shot Milo and Mars, which made even more financial loss than the film adaptation of his great-grandfather’s story.
Here’s how to watch The Time Machine
The HG Wells film adaptation will be released on today August 26 from 8:15 p.m. on Tele 5 aired.
The science fiction film is also part of the Amazon Prime Video catalogue. If you want to see a better adaptation, you should catch up with the Rod Taylor film from 1960, whose effects are innovative for the time and still have a handcrafted charm.
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