Plot
A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.
Release Year: 2003
Rating: 5.4/10 (27,188 voted)
Critic's Score: 28/100
Director:
Richard Donner
Stars: Paul Walker, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly
Storyline In this case, a group of archaeologists and combat experts led by Paul Walker and Frances O'Connor use a "3-D fax machine" (so much for technobabble!) to time-travel back to France in 1357, in hopes of retrieving Walker's father and returning safely to the present. No such luck! Fending for themselves against marauding hordes of medieval French warriors at war with the invading British, these semi-intrepid travelers find their body count rising, and the deadline for their return home is rapidly approaching.
Writers: Michael Crichton, Jeff Maguire
Cast: Paul Walker
-
Chris Johnston
Frances O'Connor
-
Kate Ericson
Gerard Butler
-
Andre Marek
Billy Connolly
-
Professor E.A. Johnston
David Thewlis
-
Robert Doniger
Anna Friel
-
Lady Claire
Neal McDonough
-
Frank Gordon
Matt Craven
-
Steven Kramer
Ethan Embry
-
Josh Stern
Michael Sheen
-
Lord Oliver
Lambert Wilson
-
Lord Arnaut
Marton Csokas
-
Sir William De Kere
/
William Decker
Rossif Sutherland
-
François Dontelle
Steve Kahan
-
Baker
David La Haye
-
Arnaut's Deputy
Opening Weekend: $8,440,629
(USA)
(30 November 2003)
(2787 Screens)
Gross: $43,935,763
(Worldwide)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia: Frank A. Cappello wrote an uncredited draft of the script and his name appeared on a few of the original teaser posters and trailers along side credited writers George Nolfi and Jeff Maguire.
Goofs:
Continuity:
While hiding in a village hut from Lord Oliver, Kate turns her wrist to look at the blood on her hand twice.
Quotes: Marek:
Are you, uh... married? Lady Claire:
No. We've been fighting the English since before I was born. There's no time for marriage. Marek:
Of course. Are you, uh... with... anyone? Lady Claire:
Am I with anyone? Marek:
Yeah. Lady Claire:
I'm with you. Marek:
I know, I know. What I mean is, is there, is there someone, is there someone... that you see? Lady Claire:
Do I see? Marek:
Yeah. Lady Claire:
[Looks around]
Uh, nobody... It is possible they are hiding on the shore or... in the woods. They could be anywhere.
User Review
The movie is fine, but treat yourself and read the book too
Rating: 5/10
Based on some of the other comments I was expecting to hate this movie. I
didn't, but I see why the reviews seem so negative. There are so many
things to pick at, and no real bright spots to talk up.
It really wasn't that bad. It wasn't great, but it's worth a rental. I'm
not sure I would have felt I got my money's worth in the theater.
I'm sure it was a tough chore to convert the original story to a 2-hour
movie script. They had to take several liberties and condense quite a bit
to do so. Unfortunately, that affected the flow and the movie ends up
being
a little choppy. How and why they go back in time is pretty well cut out
of
the movie and without any detail the believability is nil. The story
boils
down to a pretty standard chase and explosion thriller set in the middle
ages.
Definitely treat yourself to a read of the book the movie is based on.
Like
any book, the depth of characterization is so much more rich and
interesting
than what comes through in the movie. Once you get past the introductory
technical jargon to set up the story it is a real page turner.
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