A haunting line for anyone that has come to love the romantic time-traveling drama Somewhere in Time. I’m unsure what prompted me as a teenager to record a late night showing of this. It could have been Jane Seymour. It could have been that at that age the description of the two genres piqued my interest. Whatever it was that first of many watches struck a chord in the younger me. One that still rings true after thirty years.
There are a sincerity and earnestness to the film and its heart that, yes could be taken as schmaltzy, speaks clearly and loudly no matter what time you watch it. The way that playwright Richard (Christopher Reeves) and stage actress Elise (Seymour) speak to each other wordlessly through space and time speaks to the romantic in everyone. The way that Reeve plays the mystery then the obsession feels real and earned. From the moment he receives the pocket watch and is told those four simple words we’re hooked along with him.
The way that novelist/screenwriter Richard Matheson builds the adaptation along with the right flourishes from director Jeannot Szwarc make Somewhere in Time feel less a concocted bit of science fiction and more hazy dream of a forgotten love affair. That dream like quality is aided by John Barry’s lush score that at times can seem overwrought but never overindulgent. The moment it swells as Richard and Elise meet for the first time is earn because of how much time the film has spent building up until this moment. Though the film would be a whiff if it didn’t deliver at that moment. The beauty of the film is that it does.
All of the best romances fall on the shoulders of their leads and Somewhere in Time is no exception. Reeves and Seymour have amazing chemistry here. Much of it is wordless connections and glances that often belie the back and forth the two have as they begin their courtship. Though, the smartest move that Szwarc makes is the casting of Christopher Plummer as Elise’s “manager” William Fawcett Robinson. A romantic rival of sorts but one that has kept his love at a distance from Elise. It’s that tension between the trio and Plummer’s great smoldering jealous that makes the romance feel earned.
Somewhere in Time is an adroit bit of romance tied in the kind of science fiction that Matheson always excelled at. Though in this case Matheson wrote from the heart rather than the cautionary mind. The result is a story and film that breaks the heart as much as it makes it soars. One that earns a place there along with the other great romances of film.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is a flawless presentation of the film. The film with its diffused image shot by cinematographer Isidore Mankofsky has always been a bit of an issue on home video even the 2014 Blu-ray had issues (which appeared to DNR away all the lovely grain and texture of the image). Kino has all but resolved any issues one would have had with this beautiful 4K transfer of the OCN. The image retains all of the earmarks of the specific look of the 35mm image without any compromise. The diffusion now seems naturally a compliment to the way the light and colors interact with the image throughout, almost enhancing the dream like quality of the film. Bravo to Kino for take such great care with this film.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
NEW Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff
Audio Commentary by Director Jeannot Szwarc
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
NEW Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff
Audio Commentary by Director Jeannot Szwarc
Back to Somewhere in Time: Documentary by Laurent Bouzereau (63:42)
Inside Insite – The Somewhere in Time Fan Club: Featurette (3:23)
Theatrical Trailer
The first of three Audio Commentaries is an archival track by Director Jeannot Szwarc. Szwarc opens with a discussion of how they planned to open the film intentionally building mystery around the characters. Some of the details include composer John Barry was the first person to see the film edited together; the casting of Christopher Reeves; how the Coronado Hotel in San Diego was the original setting for the novel written by Richard Matheson; the location shoot at the Grand Hotel and how they managed to shoot during the summer season – their busiest; the importance of shooting the first time we see Elise’s photograph; how long it took to accomplish the look and tone he was going for; a larger discussion of the various cast that appear in the film; a larger discussion of the behind-the-scenes crew that collaborating in making the film; and much more.
The second Audio Commentary is an all-new track by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas. Lucas opens the track discussing the unique the title sequence suggesting what is to come. Some of the other details include an account of the production details including the novel origins, production schedule, release, et. al.; a discussion of the original novel’s plot that differs from the film; a discussion of the personal and professional history of Christopher Reeves – including the reasons why he took this film on as his first Post-Superman role; a discussion of the development of the property that eventually came to be; how director Jeannot Szwarc came attached to the project; a larger discussion of writer Richard Matheson’s account of working on the picture and being onset; some of the inside homages Matheson imbued into the novel and screenplay; a larger discussion throughout about the various cast members that appears in the film; and much more.
The third and final Audio Commentary is also an all-new track by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff. The duo opens with their credentials before diving into the film and the film’s rise to one of the more beloved romantic films made. Some of the details include the fandom that arose out of the film who are called INSITE and a discussion about their various meet ups and merchandising; Kirgo’s personal experience with meeting Christopher Reeves; a discussion of Reeves choice to make this in the wake of the success of Superman; a discussion of the career and writing of Richard Matheson; a discussion of actor Christopher Plummer; a discussion of the Grand Hotel (located in Michigan) as a location, historical factoids about site and how the film used it; a larger discussion of the various cast members that appear in the film; and much more.
Back to Somewhere in Time: Documentary by Laurent Bouzereau (63:42) – this archival making of documentary that was produced during the DVD Special features golden age. Beginning with the origins of the project with Novelist Richard Matheson to the writing and publishing of the novel to the development, casting, production, post, release and eventual reconsideration everything is covered. Not just covered but discussed by key cast and crew including stars Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. Truly a wonderfully produced documentary the kind we rarely get nowadays. Featuring interviews with novelist/screenwriter Richard Matheson; producer Steven Simon; director Jeannot Szwarc; stars Christopher Reeves, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer, Teresa Wright, Bill Ewrin; cinematographer Isidore/Izzy Mankofsky; composer John Barry; and more.
Inside Insite – The Somewhere in Time Fan Club: Featurette (3:23) – is an archival featurette looking at the fandom of Somewhere in Time and the beginning the magazine/journal that was published quarterly called Insite and what eventually became a weekend experience at the hotel the production filmed.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Somewhere in Time (2:11); Daisy Miller (3:30); The Other Side of the Mountain (1:10); The Other Side of the Mountain: Part II (2:19); The Greek Tycoon (2:24); Moment by Moment (1:34); The Seduction of Joe Tynan (2:11); The Aviator (2:35);
The Final Thought
Kino has done right by this beloved classic bringing it to 4K UHD with care and respect. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
The Romantic Time-traveling drama Somewhere in Time comes to 4K UHD thanks to Kino Lorber.
The Film
“Come back to me.”
A haunting line for anyone that has come to love the romantic time-traveling drama Somewhere in Time. I’m unsure what prompted me as a teenager to record a late night showing of this. It could have been Jane Seymour. It could have been that at that age the description of the two genres piqued my interest. Whatever it was that first of many watches struck a chord in the younger me. One that still rings true after thirty years.
There are a sincerity and earnestness to the film and its heart that, yes could be taken as schmaltzy, speaks clearly and loudly no matter what time you watch it. The way that playwright Richard (Christopher Reeves) and stage actress Elise (Seymour) speak to each other wordlessly through space and time speaks to the romantic in everyone. The way that Reeve plays the mystery then the obsession feels real and earned. From the moment he receives the pocket watch and is told those four simple words we’re hooked along with him.
The way that novelist/screenwriter Richard Matheson builds the adaptation along with the right flourishes from director Jeannot Szwarc make Somewhere in Time feel less a concocted bit of science fiction and more hazy dream of a forgotten love affair. That dream like quality is aided by John Barry’s lush score that at times can seem overwrought but never overindulgent. The moment it swells as Richard and Elise meet for the first time is earn because of how much time the film has spent building up until this moment. Though the film would be a whiff if it didn’t deliver at that moment. The beauty of the film is that it does.
All of the best romances fall on the shoulders of their leads and Somewhere in Time is no exception. Reeves and Seymour have amazing chemistry here. Much of it is wordless connections and glances that often belie the back and forth the two have as they begin their courtship. Though, the smartest move that Szwarc makes is the casting of Christopher Plummer as Elise’s “manager” William Fawcett Robinson. A romantic rival of sorts but one that has kept his love at a distance from Elise. It’s that tension between the trio and Plummer’s great smoldering jealous that makes the romance feel earned.
Somewhere in Time is an adroit bit of romance tied in the kind of science fiction that Matheson always excelled at. Though in this case Matheson wrote from the heart rather than the cautionary mind. The result is a story and film that breaks the heart as much as it makes it soars. One that earns a place there along with the other great romances of film.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is a flawless presentation of the film. The film with its diffused image shot by cinematographer Isidore Mankofsky has always been a bit of an issue on home video even the 2014 Blu-ray had issues (which appeared to DNR away all the lovely grain and texture of the image). Kino has all but resolved any issues one would have had with this beautiful 4K transfer of the OCN. The image retains all of the earmarks of the specific look of the 35mm image without any compromise. The diffusion now seems naturally a compliment to the way the light and colors interact with the image throughout, almost enhancing the dream like quality of the film. Bravo to Kino for take such great care with this film.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
The first of three Audio Commentaries is an archival track by Director Jeannot Szwarc. Szwarc opens with a discussion of how they planned to open the film intentionally building mystery around the characters. Some of the details include composer John Barry was the first person to see the film edited together; the casting of Christopher Reeves; how the Coronado Hotel in San Diego was the original setting for the novel written by Richard Matheson; the location shoot at the Grand Hotel and how they managed to shoot during the summer season – their busiest; the importance of shooting the first time we see Elise’s photograph; how long it took to accomplish the look and tone he was going for; a larger discussion of the various cast that appear in the film; a larger discussion of the behind-the-scenes crew that collaborating in making the film; and much more.
The second Audio Commentary is an all-new track by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas. Lucas opens the track discussing the unique the title sequence suggesting what is to come. Some of the other details include an account of the production details including the novel origins, production schedule, release, et. al.; a discussion of the original novel’s plot that differs from the film; a discussion of the personal and professional history of Christopher Reeves – including the reasons why he took this film on as his first Post-Superman role; a discussion of the development of the property that eventually came to be; how director Jeannot Szwarc came attached to the project; a larger discussion of writer Richard Matheson’s account of working on the picture and being onset; some of the inside homages Matheson imbued into the novel and screenplay; a larger discussion throughout about the various cast members that appears in the film; and much more.
The third and final Audio Commentary is also an all-new track by Film Historian/Writer Julie Kirgo and Writer/Filmmaker Peter Hankoff. The duo opens with their credentials before diving into the film and the film’s rise to one of the more beloved romantic films made. Some of the details include the fandom that arose out of the film who are called INSITE and a discussion about their various meet ups and merchandising; Kirgo’s personal experience with meeting Christopher Reeves; a discussion of Reeves choice to make this in the wake of the success of Superman; a discussion of the career and writing of Richard Matheson; a discussion of actor Christopher Plummer; a discussion of the Grand Hotel (located in Michigan) as a location, historical factoids about site and how the film used it; a larger discussion of the various cast members that appear in the film; and much more.
Back to Somewhere in Time: Documentary by Laurent Bouzereau (63:42) – this archival making of documentary that was produced during the DVD Special features golden age. Beginning with the origins of the project with Novelist Richard Matheson to the writing and publishing of the novel to the development, casting, production, post, release and eventual reconsideration everything is covered. Not just covered but discussed by key cast and crew including stars Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. Truly a wonderfully produced documentary the kind we rarely get nowadays. Featuring interviews with novelist/screenwriter Richard Matheson; producer Steven Simon; director Jeannot Szwarc; stars Christopher Reeves, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer, Teresa Wright, Bill Ewrin; cinematographer Isidore/Izzy Mankofsky; composer John Barry; and more.
Inside Insite – The Somewhere in Time Fan Club: Featurette (3:23) – is an archival featurette looking at the fandom of Somewhere in Time and the beginning the magazine/journal that was published quarterly called Insite and what eventually became a weekend experience at the hotel the production filmed.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Somewhere in Time (2:11); Daisy Miller (3:30); The Other Side of the Mountain (1:10); The Other Side of the Mountain: Part II (2:19); The Greek Tycoon (2:24); Moment by Moment (1:34); The Seduction of Joe Tynan (2:11); The Aviator (2:35);
The Final Thought
Kino has done right by this beloved classic bringing it to 4K UHD with care and respect. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Edition of Somewhere in Time is out now.
Share this:
Like this:
Discover more from The Movie Isle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.