Time After Time (1979) was directed and written by Nicholas Meyer (best known for directing Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan) being adapted from the concept of the novel of the same name authored by Karl Alexander. The film stars Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) as H.G. Wells, David Warner (Tron) as Jack the Ripper, and Mary Steenburgen (What's Eating Gilbert Grape).
The story begins in Victorian London with H.G. Wells gathering his circle of friends to make an announcement. Wells postpones the announcement for the late arrival of his friend Doctor John Stevenson because Stevenson is the friend he holds in the highest regard. When the doctor finally arrives, Wells brings the group to his basement to reveal his latest invention: a time machine. The reveal is met with mixed reactions, including a few skeptics. Wells explains the mechanics of the machine and informs the group he plans on traveling into the future which he believes will be a utopia. Stevenson and Wells then discuss their dueling philosophies on the future of mankind, but are interrupted by the police (Scotland Yard) visiting the home. The constables inform the group that another murder in the style of Jack the Ripper has occurred and the suspect is in their very home. Doctor Stevenson's medical bag is then found with a bloodied knife and gloves. The constables thoroughly search the premises with no sign of Stevenson. After leaving, Well's discovers his time machine is also missing. Taking responsibility for his creation, Well's believes it is his fault that Jack the Ripper has been let loose on the utopian future and decides he must chase him. Wells arrives in 1979 San Francisco as his time machine is on display in a museum exhibit dedicated to, appropriately enough, the work of H.G. Wells. While on the hunt for Stevenson, Wells befriends a bank officer named Amy (Mary Steenburgen), who acts as both a love interest and guide to the twentieth century for Wells.
While both H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper were real people that existed history, they also had fictional counterparts whose "adventures" share the literary popularity of characters like Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Batman. The idea of having these two popular characters in a science fiction story together is right up there with Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. These classic character versus and team up concepts strike me as more interesting than DC's Batman v Superman or Marvel's The Avengers. If done correct, these kinds of stories can make franchises of their own.
Time After Time does get a lot right in the execution. The idea that Wells and The Ripper would know each other makes perfect sense. Both are intelligent gentlemen in Victorian London, so why wouldn't they travel in the same circles. Both are passionate about their ideas. Wells believes in free love, the goodness in man, and a futuristic utopia. Stevenson (as both himself and The Ripper) is disgusted with mankind and believes the future will only lead to more death and destruction. This really comes to a head when they both are face to face in 1979 and Stevenson turns on the television to reveal that the modern world is so obsessed with violence that not only is Jack The Ripper now in is element, but has in fact become an amateur in terms of murder. Additionally well done is the way both characters figure out how to function in the modern world. Wells knows that he will need money so he brings as much as he can muster, even borrowing from his housekeeper. Then, realizing his money may not be current, brings jewelry as a way to barter. In the future, he observes how people speak and imitates them as best he can. And though he attempts to mimic modern people, he still maintains his Victorian customs; removing his hat when speaking to a lady, believing violence is the last resort, speaking to Amy with chivalry and respect. There are "fish-out-of-water" jokes, but so blatant as with say an Austin Powers movie.
Some of the concepts for scenes and gags may seem familiar to movie fans, in particular Trek film fans. Director Nicholas Meyer also wrote Star Trek The Voyage Home, aka the one with the whales and time travel. These are the moments that play well for comedy. Nicholas Meyer also having directed the greatest Trek film of them all, Star Trek The Wrath of Khan, knows how to play adversaries against each other with wits instead of brawn. The combination of these makes both a fun and interesting film.
Listening to the Kevin Smith podcast Fatman on Batman is how I first learned of this film and I thank both him and his co-host Marc Bernardin for recommending the film to their audience. I have also recently learned that Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson's Creek) will be bringing this idea to television later this year. With so much time travel on television nowadays, I like that this idea has that extra spin of having its protagonist and antagonist being literary figures. Before checking out the new series by Williamson, I suggest watching the 1979 version of Time After Time first. Though it is the story that makes the film so great, the performances by Malcolm McDowell and David Warner do add to the intensity of the scenes. Whoever attempts to fill their shoes has quite the task ahead.
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