Watch The Time Travelers

In the 1964 sci-fi film The Time Travelers, a group of scientists and engineers work on creating a time portal that can transport people into the future. Their aim is to find a way to prevent their world from falling into a state of post-apocalyptic despair, which they have been able to glimpse through a viewing device. However, their initial attempts to enter the portal don't quite go as planned, and they are transported to a distant future where the remnants of humanity are fighting to survive in a desolate underground city.

The Time Travelers is a classic sci-fi B-movie that is both fun and thought-provoking. The film is a product of its time, with a cast of recognizable actors from the era and an aesthetic that leans heavily on the imagination of mid-century futurism. The special effects are not particularly sophisticated by contemporary standards, but they are charming nonetheless, with plenty of glowing, whirring machines and low-tech gadgetry to keep viewers engaged.

At the center of the film's story is the character of Dr. Erik von Steiner, played by Preston Foster. Dr. von Steiner is the mastermind behind the time portal project, and he is convinced that the only way to save humanity is to venture into the future and bring back the knowledge and resources they need to prevent catastrophe. Philip Carey plays Dr. Steve Connors, a colleague of Dr. von Steiner's who is more skeptical of the portal's potential and cautious about the risks involved.

The two of them are joined by a handful of other researchers and staff members, including the plucky Carol White (played by Merry Anders) and the gruff Major Abraham Gruen (John Hoyt), who provide a bit of comic relief and occasional tension as they navigate the time portal and the turbulent future they find themselves in.

The world they discover is a grim one, populated by desperate survivors who eke out a living in a labyrinthine subterranean city that has been sealed off from the outside world. The remaining population face constant struggle against both the harsh conditions of their environment and a mysterious, menacing force that threatens to destroy them. As the scientists work to find a way back to their own time, they must also confront the moral dilemmas that arise when confronted with the possibility of changing the future and altering the course of history.

The Time Travelers is a bit of a mixed bag, with some elements that work better than others. The film moves at a brisk pace and offers plenty of fun, campy sci-fi thrills, but it also has some clunky dialogue and plot holes that strain credibility even in a genre that thrives on suspension of disbelief. The acting is also variable, with some performances that feel wooden or overly exaggerated, though Foster in particular brings a gravitas and conviction to his role that helps anchor the story.

Despite its flaws, however, The Time Travelers remains a beloved classic of sci-fi cinema, offering a glimpse into the imagination and aspirations of an earlier era. Its themes of technological progress, environmental collapse, and social responsibility still resonate today, and its vision of a future that can be both terrifying and hopeful continues to captivate audiences. Whether viewed as a piece of nostalgia or a window into the past, The Time Travelers is a film that stands the test of time.

The Time Travelers is a 1964 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.