Watch Beyond the Time Barrier

Beyond the Time Barrier is a science fiction film from 1960, directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring Robert Clarke, Darlene Tompkins, and Arianne Ulmer. The movie takes place in the year 1960 and follows a test pilot named Major William Allison, played by Clarke, who is flying a rocket plane when he sees a strange light and crashes. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a future world that has been devastated by a plague that has killed most of the population.

The survivors of this disaster live in a domed city where they are protected from the outside world. Major Allison meets two scientists named Dr. Bourman, played by Vladimir Sokoloff, and Dr. Carlisle, played by Boyd 'Red' Morgan, who tell him that he has traveled 157 years into the future. They explain that the plague was caused by a nuclear war that happened in 1971, and that the survivors have been living in the dome ever since.

Major Allison falls in love with a beautiful woman named Princess Trirene, played by Darlene Tompkins. She is the daughter of the ruler of the city, and she helps Allison try to find a way to get back to his own time. However, they are constantly hindered by a sinister character named The Supreme, played by Stephen Bekassy. The Supreme is the de facto ruler of the city, and he is determined to keep Allison from leaving because he fears that he will reveal the truth about the past.

As Major Allison and Princess Trirene explore the city, they discover that the people inside the dome are all sterile, and that they are dying out. They also learn that the dome is powered by a strange energy source, which they realize is the cause of the time warp that brought Allison to the future. The two scientists have been working on a way to reverse the energy flow and send Allison back to his own time, but The Supreme is determined to stop them.

The movie builds tension as Major Allison and Princess Trirene struggle to find a way to overcome The Supreme's evil plans and escape the dome. The confrontation between the hero and the villain comes to a head in a dramatic finale that involves a fight to the death and a desperate attempt to reverse the energy flow and send Allison back to his own time.

The film is noteworthy for featuring some prescient themes that were ahead of its time. The idea of a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a nuclear war was still novel in 1960, and the concept of time travel was not yet a staple of science fiction. The plot also touches on the dangers of nuclear energy, environmental degradation, and the ethics of cloning and genetic engineering.

Beyond the Time Barrier is a low-budget film that relies on storytelling and strong characters rather than special effects. The sets and costumes are basic, but the plot is engaging and the performances are solid. Robert Clarke delivers a convincing performance as the heroic Major Allison, while Darlene Tompkins brings a touch of glamour and romance to the story. The villainous Supreme is played with relish by Stephen Bekassy, who adds a sinister edge to the film.

The film's pacing is leisurely, but it is never dull. The scenes of Major Allison exploring the city and discovering its secrets are interspersed with action sequences and moments of suspense that keep the viewer engaged. The film's climax is satisfying, with a sense of closure and resolution that leaves the viewer feeling satisfied.

Overall, Beyond the Time Barrier is a charming and entertaining science fiction film that deserves more attention than it has received. It is a film that celebrates the power of imagination and the human spirit, even in the face of despair and disaster. Fans of classic science fiction will appreciate its simple pleasures and thought-provoking themes.

Beyond the Time Barrier is a 1960 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.