Movies of the 80s: 'Somewhere in Time' The Sensitive Side of Superman

Somewhere in Time

Directed by Jeannot Szwarc

Starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer

Released October 3rd, 1980

Tagline “Beyond Fantasy, Beyond Obsession, Beyond time itself… he will find her.”

Tagline “Somewhere in the Past… He Will Find Her”

Tagline “Beyond Time Itself, He Will Find Her”

Tagline “A Timeless Love Story”

In 1972, playwright Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) becomes fascinated by a photo of Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour), a turn-of-the-century stage actress, while staying at the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan. As Richard's obsession grows, he learns from a friend that time travel may actually be possible through hypnosis. Richard travels in time to meet Elise, and the two appear destined to be together. However, Elise's jealous manager (Christopher Plummer) attempts to keep them apart.

Budget and Box Office

Budget $4 million and Box Office $9.7 million

Behind the scenes

Adapted from a novel by Richard Matheson titled Bid Time Return

To create two moods, the past and the present, director Jeannot Szwarc used two different film stock. Eastman Kodak was used in the scenes in 1972 and Fuji Film was used in the softer looking scenes in the past, in 1912.

Producer Stephen Deutsch hoped that the success of Somewhere in Time would pave the way for an adaptation of another Richard Matheson novel, What Dreams May Come. Deutsch’s dream was deferred in the aftermath of Somewhere in Time but he did, eventually make What Dreams May Come with Christopher Reeve’s friend, Robin Williams in 1998.

The role of the young playwright, Richard Collier, was not written for Christopher as he was not a well known actor at the time Richard Matheson adapted his own novel for the screen. Reeve became the actor that Producer Stephen Deutsch and Director Jeannot Szwarc wanted after the two went to see Superman while working with Matheson on the screenplay.

A global fan club was created in 1990. Called INSITE, the acronym reads as the "International Network of Somewhere In Time Enthusiasts." The aim of the site is to "Honor the film, and those responsible for its creation, to Inform members about all aspects of it, to enhance their appreciation of it, as well as to influence public and media perception of the film, to assure its recognition as the classic we know it to be." Website: SOMEWHEREINTIME.TV. The website is still being updated today.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan let the filmmakers use the hotel free of charge. It was a smart play as the Hotel is the third star of the movie and the film would prove to be a wonderful advertisement for the hotel.

Critics Reaction in 1980

Critic Pat Berman adored Somewhere in Time writing “Director Jeannot Szwarc displays an exquisite gift for literate storytelling in his captivating new romantic film, Somewhere in Time.”

Critic Desmond Ryan shared his enthusiasm for Somewhere in Time, calling it “a clever and elegant film.”

Critic Norma McClain Stoop wrote “Nobody with a drop of romantic blood will be able to resist this film.”

Critic Mike Hughes was mixed on Somewhere in Time writing “It may be one of the best-made bad movies in a quite a while.”

Critic Gene Siskel gave the film two stars and complained that the film gives Reeve and Seymour “Too few scenes together” for the romance to take hold.

Critic Roger Ebert dragged the film, writing "The movie surrounds its love story with such boring mumbo-jumbo about time travel that finally, we just don't care."

Critics and Audiences Today

Somewhere in Time holds a 52 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a strong 7.2 out of 10 on IMDB.

Where can I watch it?

Somewhere in Time is streaming for free on Tubi and streaming commercial free for subscribers to Amazon Prime.

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