Dismissed by critics and a box office disappointment, Somewhere in Time has subsequently become a cult classic, loved for its lush soundtrack composed by John Barry, and its sentimental story. Dragged down by its slow pace, director Jeannot Szwarc tries valiantly to create an immersive illusion. Working with the classically handsome Christopher Reeve and the breathtakingly beautiful Jane Seymour in the Great Lakes location certainly helps.
Richard Collier (Reeve) is a student at Millfield College in 1972 celebrating the success of a play he wrote, when an old woman approaches him. She hands him an elaborate pocket watch, whispers, “Come back to me,” and walks away. Eight years later, Collier is a successful playwright living in Chicago, currently suffering from writer’s block. He decides to take a road trip. Passing the Grand Hotel, Richard impulsively decides to stay there.
While waiting for the dining room to open, he tours the Hall of History, where he sees a portrait of a beautiful woman. Obsessed, Richard tracks down everyone who knew her, determined to learn everything he can about her. He learns that her name is Elise Mckenna (Seymour) and she’s the one who gave Richard the watch eight years earlier. Desperate to go back in time and meet her, he does so with the help of a professor with expertise in time travel. Now in 1912, Collier makes it his business to find Elise, his one true love.
Writer Richard Matheson, widely known for his work in horror and science fiction (I Am Legend has been adapted for the screen several times) gets a chance to show a different side of himself, adapting his 1975 novel Bid Time Return. While it uses science fiction through time travel but is unabashedly a love story. Like most love stories, it features a couple who must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to be together.
I, like everyone else, knew Christopher Reeve as Superman, but hadn’t seen him in much else when I first saw him in Somewhere in Time in the mid 1980’s. it’s surprising he didn’t become a leading man in films, sans Superman. A Bond Girl in the 1973 film Live and Let Die, Jane Seymour found her biggest success as the lead in the 1990’s television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Rounding out the cast are Christopher Plummer as William Fawcett Robinson, Elsie’s Manager; Theresa Wright as the elder Elise’s companion, Laura Roberts; Bill Erwin as Arthur, the kindly doorman at the Grand Hotel; George Voskovec as Dr. Gerard Finney and look for a brief turn by a young William H. Macy as a critic during the opening scene. George Wendt Writer Richard Matheson turns up briefly as a hotel guest in 1912.
Somewhere in Time is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and taken from a brand new HDR/Dolby Vision transfer created from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. Clarity is improved throughout. One shot of Richard cruising down Lake Shore Drive is a standout; you can see the Lake Michigan breakers with stunning detail. Colors are vivid throughout, and contrast is dialed in. a nice level of grain gives the proceedings a filmic appearance. There are no scratches or other anomalies. This is by far the best Somewhere in Time has looked on home media.
The DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo soundtrack makes the most of John Barry’s lovely score, opening up when necessary and being subtle on other occasions. Atmospherics are pleasant. Dialogue is clear and concise throughout.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
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