Journey to the Center of Time (1967) - full transcript
Gruff, hard-nosed new boss Stanton takes over a scientific research company upon the death of his benevolent father. Scientists Manning, Gordon and White, who are very close to a breakthrough in time travel, are told by Stanton they must have results in 24 hours or face a funding cut-off. Trying to push their equipment past its safe operating limit they travel into the far future and distant past, with Stanton along as an accidental participant, unaware that a surprise awaits them as they struggle to return to the present.
NARRATOR: During the
span of man's evolution,
time has been measured by
the journey of our planet
through the darkness of space.
Scientists use our solar system
and the cold vast regions
of the universe as
a giant time keeper.
Time has a quality
as hazy and distant
as the perimeter
of our own galaxy.
The haze occasionally
clears for those minds
which inquire into the very
nature of the fabric of time
itself.
And a glimpse of the true
meaning of time is revealed.
Time, from creation to now, tugs
toward all yesterdays almost as
strongly as the unborn
tomorrows that stretch
toward all eternity.
Someday, man will
strike a balance
between these two great
universal forces-- the past
and the future.
And then will man
make a fantastic
journey to the center of time.
[car horn]
Mr. Stanton Jr.
and Mr. Denning here
for a top priority conference.
Yes, sir.
Your route is cleared
through to the time vault.
Denning, how long
does my father have
to be dead before you bury him?
I don't understand.
Am I or am I not in full
control of Stanton Industries?
Why, of course.
Then we'll drop the Junior.
I'm the only Stanton in
Stanton Industries now.
[warning buzzer]
[machines beeping]
Power intake,
computer, tapes, all go.
Laser beam pulse system go.
Photosensitives go.
Time selector set at Present.
All set, Dave.
Stand by for time
synchronization.
Check time transport
system functioning properly.
Date-- 6/8/68.
Time-- 11 hours, 20 minutes.
Five, four, three,
two, one-- mark.
Marked-- date, 6/8/68,
time 11 hours 20 minutes.
Count down checks out OK, Mark.
Time synchronization 100.
I'm standing by for
basic systems check run.
Ready.
Switch on.
Switch on.
Stand by to activate
image stabilizer switch.
Reception 100.
All systems go.
Time selector accuracy, 100.
Stand by, Dave, here we go.
OK, see you day
before yesterday.
I'm going to set the time
selector at minus 24 hours.
Final countdown-- 10,
nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
Date, 5/8/68, time, 11 hours
20 minutes-- standing by.
Hey, it worked great.
Time transport all go.
All go.
All go.
Accuracy 100.
Now I'm setting
the time selector
at zero minus 48 hours.
We need more basic power input.
Basic power systems are
pulling maximum power now.
MARK MANNING: Check
laser beam cycling.
Flash pulse indicator
is up to maximum.
Laser beam cycling is up, too.
MARK MANNING: We're not
getting enough power
for the time transport.
Check photon cycling.
I'm sorry, Mark.
Photon cycling is up there, too.
You've got all the external
power coming into the lab now.
I can't give you any more.
Wait a minute.
The internal power
supply in your lab,
your auxiliary
standby, my meters
show a power shut-off there.
Doc, why don't you try opening
it up and see what happens?
Very well, we'll try it.
[beeping]
Mark, the time selectors.
Cut it back.
Well, we might as
well shut down.
I'm sorry.
We weren't ready
for that much power.
Don't blame yourself, Mark.
I agreed to take a chance.
Zero minus 24 hours--
always 24 hours.
We'll get there yet, Mark.
We've been at this
almost two years already.
And we've still never gotten
further back than 24 hours.
And that's only phase
A. What about phase B?
Remember what Edison said.
At least we know 700
ways that won't work.
Nothing worth doing
is done easily.
Was there any damage, Karen?
Nothing serious.
The circuit breakers all worked.
Oh, Mark?
Something's burned out.
It looks like one of the
time selector circuits.
Nothing drastic, but that
takes care of our demonstration
very nicely.
Good heavens, I'd
forgotten all about that.
Well, if I know Stanton Jr.
and his one man committee
to, quote, "investigate and
evaluate existing research
projects to determine future
appropriations," unquote,
he hasn't forgotten.
And he and his sharp little blue
pencil are due here any minute.
FEMALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Doctors
Manning, Gordon, and White,
please report to
main conference room.
Mr. Stanton has arrived
with Mr. Denning.
How's that for a cue?
It'll do.
Let us go.
Gordon.
You know Mr. Stanton.
He's very eager to learn more
about this project of yours.
Mr. Stanton, Mr.
Denning, my colleagues,
Ms. White, Dr. Manning.
Gordon, Gordon,
Gordon, oh yes, Gordon.
Yes, Dr. Gordon, I believe my
father granted you the largest
appropriation of
any research project
of last year-- $14 million.
To be exact, it was,
oh, yes, $13,794,520.12.
Why?
We're working on a project
which is entirely new,
Mr. Stanton.
And that means new types of
equipment, new techniques,
much experimentation.
Why, Dr. Gordon?
What makes your
project so important?
Perhaps this might
interest you, Mr. Denning.
This is what really started
Dr. Gordon on the project.
Why, it looks like an
old newspaper clipping.
It is.
Ah, may I?
Well, don't keep it to
yourself, Mr. Stanton.
Let me in on it.
All right, "Washington,
DC, November 27.
An announcement has
been made concerning
an airborne eye that sees
the past as well the present.
What this particular
instrument accomplishes
is this-- operating from a
height of some 40,000 feet
in space, the eye
looks down and reflects
moving images of people and
objects not then present
but that were there
on the previous day."
But that's impossible.
STANTON: "Developed by
the Department of Defense
and used to gather information
on missile bases in Cuba,
the TV-like eye somehow picks
up reflections of activity
and things from
some time before,
referring them to an
observation screen.
For instance, the eye may
pass over an empty parking lot
to capture pictures of the
spot when it was filled
with cars during the day."
You photograph the past?
That's substantially correct.
I don't know, but taking
pictures of a parking lot
the way it appeared a
few days previous, well,
it strikes me as the height
of useless occupation,
hardly worth almost $14 million.
As useless as raising a
crop of mold on old bread?
Yes, if you like.
That's probably exactly what
they told Fleming before he
called his mold penicillin.
Now see here, Manning.
MR. DENNING: Gentlemen,
gentlemen, please, why don't we
all sit down and let Dr. Gordon
explain how this multimillion
dollar gizmo of his works?
Certainly.
I'd be glad to.
Our experiments here
are an extension of one
of the fundamentals
of Einstein's theory
of relativity-- the
curved universe.
Theories, Dr.
Gordon, only theories.
It's proven, Mr.
Stanton, proven.
We know that there is a
definite relationship,
and a peculiar one,
between time and the three
dimensions of space.
Time may therefore be
considered a fourth dimension.
MR. DENNING: I'm afraid I
don't follow you, Dr. Gordon.
DR. GORDON: Now,
take this booklet.
It may be said to exist in
space in three dimensions--
length, width, and height.
Of course.
Ah, but it wasn't
always like that.
Before it took that shape, it
existed as paper, as wood pulp.
And at any time, it may
change its dimension.
So it still exists.
But its three
dimensional description
is no longer valid except
for a certain period of time.
Time is therefore a
necessary fourth dimension.
Yes.
In fact every object, every
object from this booklet
to the entire
universe, may be said
to exist in what the scientists
call the spacetime continuum.
Doctor, may we come back to
just what contribution you have
made to this matter, please?
Certainly.
All right, have you
have any success ever
with any of your experiments?
Yes, partial success.
We've been able to go
back in time 24 hours.
24 hours.
[chuckles] In other words, you
and Manning here have been just
duplicating
scientific experiments
that have been tried
and discarded before.
Not at all.
We're working with an
entirely different principle.
Well, Dr. Manning?
Instead of the
infrared beam principle
used in the early
experiments, our system
is based on a laser beam.
Laser beam?
It stands for
Light Amplification
by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation.
Oh, I see.
It's a one color
coherent light beam
which is extremely selective.
It doesn't spread
like ordinary light.
The rays stay parallel.
A laser beam is like one perfect
note from a virtuoso's violin,
while ordinary light is like
the noise from a practicing
high school band.
It's--
May we dispense with your
lyrical classroom lecture
and get down to
the facts, please?
Now, I still don't
know what it is
you gentlemen are trying to do,
if you'll excuse my ignorance.
If it's all right with
you, it's all right with me.
MR. DENNING:
Gentlemen, gentlemen.
So you think you can take
a peek at the good old days
with this laser beam
system of yours, doctor?
Yes.
The past, of
course, still exists.
MR. DENNING: Oh?
Suppose a scientist on a planet
some 50 light years from here
were observing Earth.
He would at this moment be
looking at light rays that
left this Earth 50 years ago.
He might very well be
watching the First World War.
In effect, some full
50 years of history
would be contained in
those beams traveling
to that distant planet.
That's quite an idea.
It's more than an
idea, Mr. Denning.
It's fact.
And since spacetime
is a continuum,
the present is only a
point moving constantly
along that continuum.
When you put it
like that, doctor,
even I can understand it.
Theoretically,
with our equipment,
we should be able
to cut in anywhere
along that continuum, actually
journey to the center of time.
And why haven't you been able
to get beyond the 24 hour mark?
Well, that's a
question to which we
haven't found the answer yet.
Now doctor, I
understand that you
refer to this watching the past
as phase A of your project.
Yes.
And that phase B is really
the important aspect of it.
That's correct.
Would you mind telling
me just what is phase B?
Looking into the future.
Oh really, looking
into the future.
Now despite all
the trouble you've
had looking into the past,
you still think you can
succeed in this, well, scheme?
We do.
And for what
purpose, may I ask?
We are on the threshold
of space travel,
Mr. Stanton, actually
travelling to other planets.
Our existing predictor
instruments are not adequate.
Predictor instruments, doctor?
Instruments that are used
in jets, rockets, spacecraft.
They get predictive
information about the future,
look into the
future, as it were.
But their capacity is
measured only in seconds.
Now we need to look ahead
hours, days, even weeks.
Fascinating, Dr. Gordon,
absolutely fascinating.
Yes, it's all very
interesting, doctor.
But I must say it's also
also very, very far fetched.
Doctor, are you prepared
to demonstrate this looking
into the future for us now?
No, not quite yet.
Ha, well, I thought not.
Well, gentlemen, I'll
take into consideration
your request for funds.
But I'll have to warn you.
If you don't come up with
anything more concrete
within 24 hour, I'll be forced
to shut down this section
and convert it to
weapons development.
Good day.
Doctor, young Stanton
isn't quite like his father.
He hates to put the
family money into anything
that isn't going up.
Then why doesn't he
put it all into taxes?
That's the only
thing sure to go up.
You shouldn't
antagonize the man, Mark.
He's a pompous fool.
Well, we know that empty
vessels make the most noise.
But unfortunately, we're
dependent on this one.
We wondered where
you disappeared to.
Yes, getting a
little fresh air.
Worrying won't do any good.
I guess not.
Such a lovely evening.
The mountains look much
softer in the moonlight.
Yeah.
It doesn't get you
at all, does it?
What?
All this.
What would you
like, a serenade?
Poetry?
Why not?
All right, I can be poetic.
Let's see, a lady of
science name White
can travel much
faster than light.
She took off one day
in a relative way
and returned on
the previous night.
[laughing] You nut.
You know, you're
actually-- you're actually
quite pretty for a girl.
Why, you're not entirely
impossible yourself.
There's even a full moon.
The perfect
setting for romance.
It's a shame for
it to go to waste.
What do you say?
Help yourself.
Susan.
Ah, good morning, Mr. Denning.
How are you this morning?
Well, I'm not so sure
after getting caught
in that rainstorm last night.
Here today for the test?
Oh yes, yes, I'm
looking forward to it.
it should be very interesting.
Yeah, we were just
discussing that.
Mr. Stanton come in yet?
Yeah, I saw him in the
hall a little while ago.
He was on his way down
to the time vault.
I think he's going to
watch the test from there.
Oh?
Well, I won't be in the way if
I watch it from here, will I?
Oh no, not at all.
Dr. Gordon just told
monitoring to stand by.
I think they're
ready for countdown.
Well, I better get
a move on, then.
See you later, Mr. Denning.
Right, Dave.
DR. GORDON: I've
changed the settings
gradually, though I'm sure the
circuits are all right again.
Right.
Stay with it for a while, Dave.
We're running a check.
No hurry.
I've got all the
time in the world--
past, present, and future.
Don't worry about a thing.
I'm going to run a
computer check for myself.
Oh, by the way, maintenance
replaced the burnt out circuits
last night.
So everything should be A-OK.
Cut the image stabilizer.
Switch is off.
Stand by.
Setting minus one.
Setting minus two.
Morning, Gordon.
Hello, Mr. Stanton.
Setting minus three.
Ms. White, Manning.
Mr. Stanton.
Well, I hope for your sake
that you people have something
to show me this morning.
In a minute, Mr. Stanton.
Setting minus four.
You know, I'm not against
sinking money into research
as long as it pays off.
It didn't take Stanton
long to get into the act.
DR. GORDON: Setting minus five.
Setting minus six,
Seven, eight, nine, 10.
Setting minus six,
Seven, eight, nine, 10.
There, that does it--
circuits checked.
Standing by for exterior
systems check run.
OK, then what are
we waiting for?
Phase B.
MARK MANNING: OK, phase B it is.
Resetting the time selector,
and starting read check
on countdown-- 10,
nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
Marked-- time
synchronization 100.
It's all yours, Doc.
Take her away.
I've set the time
selector at zero
plus 24 hours
towards the future.
Time selector set.
Stand by to activate
time transport circuits.
KAREN WHITE: Standing by.
[whirring]
Switch on.
Switch is on.
Time transport system
indicator is no go.
How is it for you in there?
Negative.
I'm going to increase
the power input.
Stay with the
overload indicator.
I'll only take it
to maximum capacity.
[whirring]
Negative.
There's only one
other thing we can try.
Accelerate the
laser beam cycling.
Mark, we've never subjected
the unit to such speed.
It's a risk.
I say take it.
Now wait a minute, Manning.
You have no authority to make
a decision as rash as that.
Dr. Gordon is in charge
of this project, not you.
It may shatter the
laser's ruby, Mark.
Or it may not.
If it does, we're
out of business.
But we don't get this damn thing
working, we're out of business
anyway.
Very well, we'll try it.
Oh, that's enough, Mark.
What's the reading?
I don't know.
I could still accelerate.
But the needle is
glued to the top
of the flash pulse
indicator, no way of telling
what our cycle speed is.
Better decelerate.
No.
Wait, it could be the time
transport calibrations.
They may be off.
Try moving the transport ahead.
Keep going-- to the
top, keep going.
That's it, Mark.
I'm the past the
maximum input now.
How far?
Oh, 100,000 years.
That's twice that, even more.
I'm bringing time
transport back-- time
transport back to zero hours.
Hold it there.
I'm going to open the
photon cycling all the way.
No, don't do that, Mark.
[whirring]
[electrical explosion]
[bombs exploding]
[sirens]
[bombs exploding]
Wait, look.
It's a test area, time central.
It's fantastic.
Look at that
gigantic spacecraft.
But how?
The time transport circuits
are completely fused.
The time selectors.
What's the reading, Mark?
5,000 years.
But that's impossible.
In the future.
But it can't be.
I know as much as you do.
The lab just seemed to vanish.
All right, we'll stand by.
But hurry, please.
What happened?
Where's the lab gone?
I don't know.
One minute, everything
was operating properly.
Dr. Gordon, Mark, and
Karen were in the lab.
Suddenly there was a
tremendous power surge.
Mr. Stanton was in
there when it happened.
Mr. Stanton?
Well, can't you do something?
Bring them back.
Are they in danger?
We better try to
establish contact
with them-- wherever they went.
Susan, has the monitoring
been able to establish
a bearing on the lab?
Negative.
Monitoring tried to
establish contact.
But any attempt at communication
with the lab has failed.
Apparently, everything's been
cut off from within their unit.
Then that means they're
really lost, doesn't it?
DAVE: No, not necessarily.
We're still getting a faint but
steady signal from their laser
beam pulse system.
Monitoring is attempting
to trace that signal now.
Trace it?
To where?
To whatever dimension in time
or space they've traveled into.
You mean they've travel
somewhere into time?
Well, I follow you,
but not very far.
Well, you're familiar with
the time-space continuum?
I'm familiar with the theory.
All right then, now that lab
is still inside the time vault.
But somehow, they've transported
themselves through some warp
in the continuum.
Monitoring has just
completed their test data
from the recorder
into the computers.
We should know very shortly
how far and in what direction
the lab has travelled.
And then what do we do?
Well, it's a wild chance.
But before the overload,
all our systems and circuits
were synchronized
with those in the lab.
Our central control is equipped
to take over complete control
of the lab in the
event of any emergency,
such as a power failure
from within the lab.
Monitoring reports the time
synchronization to the lab
was set on plus factor,
phase B. They've
traveled into the future.
The future?
How far?
Well, there's no way of telling
their exact time coordinates.
But according to the laser beam,
the lab has stopped moving.
Quick, get engineering
up here right away.
I want all the plans
of the time transport
circuits inside that lab.
The overload burned out
certain vital circuits
and apparently has created new
ones, new ones that somehow,
somehow we're going
to have to duplicate
here in our master control if
we ever hope to bring them back.
We've done it.
The future-- a window
5,000 years into the future.
I almost wish we hadn't.
MARK MANNING: Why
do you say that?
It's almost as if
we've discovered
the end of the world.
We don't know that.
Come, there's much to do.
We've got to take
note of every reading,
recall what fuses
have been made,
and what new
connections have been
made in the transport system.
I don't know if
those circuits are
stable enough not to burn out.
We better work fast.
It won't be long at
this cycling speed
before the laser explodes.
You know something?
It looks like you can
step right out into it.
[explosion]
We're in the center of
some sort of nuclear war.
Doctor, get us out of
here before we get killed.
This is not a window
into the future.
This is real.
The lab-- we have been
transported here physically.
A time rift, a warp of
the spacetime continuum
that matter can pass through.
KAREN WHITE: We traveled
over 5,000 years
in a matter of seconds.
Come on, the condition
may deteriorate suddenly.
The readings, the new
circuits, quickly.
Mark, the hatch.
Do not be alarmed.
We mean you no harm.
We observed your craft as
it appeared from nowhere.
You'll please come with us.
Hold it.
How do we know?
But how do you
know you'll be safe?
You don't.
But if you're found here
outside of our barrier,
you will surely be destroyed.
We must hurry.
Come with us.
We seem to have
very little choice.
Where are you taking us?
To the council chambers
within our starship, Dr. Vina.
Dr. Vina will be as interested
in asking you questions
as you are in having
yours answered.
Picking up a faint video
signal from the lab,
but it's not strong
enough for clear reception
on the time screen.
All right, let's see what we
can pick up on the screen now.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
Now, I've reprogrammed the
time selector and transport
circuits in our master control.
I'm going to attempt to utilize
the laser beam pulse system as
a guide to pick up video image.
Please stand by and record all
phases of our first contact.
All right, Susan, stand by
to activate time screen.
Standing by.
All right, screen activated.
Image activated.
Reception 100, standing by.
Susan, try advancing the
time selector slowly forward.
Just what do you hope to
accomplish by all this,
if I may ask?
Well, we know they went
forward into the future.
It seems logical that if
we can beam in on the lab's
last position and
slowly advance,
we should be able to
pick up their image.
Negative so far.
The vault's beginning
to fade out.
Keep trying.
Keep trying.
Try changing the
time coordinates.
Still negative.
I don't think it's going to--
Wait, wait, look, it's working.
My god.
Where are they?
Lost if we don't act fast.
We've got to take a
chance, try to bring
them back before it's too late.
Dave, we're drifting.
I don't think we'll be able
to hold them much longer.
Just long enough to
try to bring them back.
We're losing them.
Quick, lock in time
synchronization.
I can't.
We're drifting.
We've got to hold them.
We may not get a second chance.
But the circuits are unstable.
Lock-in is impossible.
They're gone.
We've lost them.
Keep trying, Susan.
We'll get them again.
We've got to.
There's no telling
where they are now.
DR. GORDON: --lost
for explanations.
Less than an hour ago,
we were in our laboratory
in our own world.
And now--
You are still in your
own world, Dr. Gordon.
We are the aliens, not you.
DR. GORDON: Aliens?
I don't quite understand.
Ours is a colonization ship.
We come from a dead world
far beyond your galaxy.
And we have been
searching for a new world
with an environment close to
that of our own mother planet.
This is still Earth.
The year is 6968.
But yours is a dying world.
Dying?
How?
I wish I could tell you
that the reason was natural.
But I'm afraid that
it is man's own folly.
Ours was an untimely
arrival upon your planet.
Regrettably, we've
landed in the midst
of a devastating global war, a
war which will leave Earth dead
and mankind annihilated.
How do you plan to survive
on an Earth that's dying?
We don't.
There is a creeping
death all around us.
We cannot stay.
Where could you go?
We must return to the stars,
to another planetary system
where Earth-like worlds exist.
MALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Break
through, break through,
units 9 through 14, report
to fuel depot sector 6.
Units 1 to 9 report to repair.
All other units on alert.
Stand by.
All our efforts may be in vain.
We're in a race, a
race we may not win.
A race?
MALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Attention
all personnel, attack imminent.
Massive troop movement
reported outside barrier.
It is only a matter of
time before the large scale
assault will succeed.
We must make the necessary
repairs on our ship
before that happens or parish.
Why?
With all your
resources, why don't
you build stronger differences?
Our makeshift defenses
are adequate to protect us
for a while.
But there is grave danger.
If we cannot compete
those repairs in time--
MALE SPEAKER [ON
PA]: Major break
through, major
break through, enemy
has penetrated the barrier.
Repeat, barrier penetrated.
Enemy forces
rapidly approaching.
This is council control.
Activate secondary force field.
Repeat, activate
secondary force field.
You see, even with our
advanced technology,
we are not invulnerable.
Man's atomic weapons
are as primitive to us
as-- as spears are to man.
But even modern man can
be killed by a spear.
But if you're just here
for repairs as you say, why
would they want to attack you?
In hopes of
procuring our weapons,
our advanced technology.
To them it is a means
to carry on their way
of life, their waging of war.
[static]
They've broke through.
[laser blast]
We shall not succeed.
Our journey ends here.
But you-- you must
return to the past,
taking with you the
fate of mankind.
Fate of mankind?
You must return
to your own time.
Tell them-- tell them--
Yes, go on.
Warn them.
The laser weapon--
they must control it.
We have no laser weapon.
You will have.
It will leave your
Earth a sterile,
burned out slag in space.
It will-- my people
will help you
re-enter your time-space warp.
You must go with them.
You must return to your-- [gasp]
Follow me.
[laser blasts]
[explosions]
[laser blasts]
[explosions]
Monitoring, this
is central control.
Stand by that video
overload indicator.
We're going to try it again.
Are you ready, Susan?
Ready.
Screen on.
-I hope we're not too late.
-We're not.
But there's no time
to lose if we're going
to get them out of there alive.
What makes you even think
they're in-- in that time co--
Coordinate.
So far we haven't
seen any sign of them,
just this futuristic holocaust.
They're out there, Mr. Denning.
How can you be so sure?
You see, we're picking up this
image from the lab's equipment.
In other words, everything
we see on this screen
is identical to what Dr. Gordon
and his crew see from the lab.
Then as long as this
picture remains stable,
that means they're intact?
Yeah, that's basically correct.
But we have no way of knowing
if they're still inside the lab.
Well, I doubt very much that
they'd step out into that.
Monitoring reports they've just
picked up a change in the time
selector settings from the lab.
Does that mean
they're coming back?
That's a good bet.
Reset our time selector
to the present.
Reestablish video contact
within the time vault.
Time selector set
at zero minus 5,000.
We should be back in
seconds after we left.
I've tried to minimize
any chance of us colliding
with ourselves in time.
We'll make it.
Of course we will.
And we'll bring
back her warning.
We will not.
MARK MANNING: What
makes you so sure?
Well, isn't it
obvious, Manning?
The war did happen.
We didn't get back
with our warning.
Maybe we did.
Maybe they just didn't listen.
Sometimes people don't listen to
warnings that might save them.
But whether or not, there
must be something we can do.
At least we can--
Gentlemen, please.
Karen.
Laser beam pulse system go.
The overload indicator
shows that we've
overloaded the laser's ruby.
It could shatter if
we're not careful.
Does that mean we'll
be trapped here?
No, Stanton.
Our lab may be set
adrift, and we'd
wander aimlessly through time
and space like a ship at sea.
All set, Doc.
Standing by for time
synchronization.
Standing by.
All right.
Mark, activate time transport.
Time transport activated.
We should be back in the
time vault in a few seconds.
I wonder--
MARK MANNING: Doc,
Karen-- the screen.
Something's coming
at us and fast.
Whatever it is, we're on
a direct collision course.
Laser beam pulse
system increasing
in strength, causing
heavy static interference
in video reception.
All right, activate
image stabilizer.
Image stabilizer activated.
It looks like they're
coming back our way.
Monitoring, confirms.
Dr. Gordon's time selector
has been reset to the present.
How long will it be
before we see them?
Oh, I imagine just
a matter of seconds,
unless it takes longer to
come back than it does to go.
How accurately can
they time their return?
Within a few seconds of
their original departure.
They're safe if they
return within 24
hours in either direction.
But we're not taking any
chances on losing them again.
Stand by to attempt
time locking on the lab
as it passes through our
time plus or minus 24 hours.
It looks as if we're not the
only ones traveling in time.
FEMALE SPEAKER [ON
PA]: Collision course.
The radio-- it may not work,
but it's our only chance.
This is Dr. Manning.
We are from the year 1968.
We're traveling the
time space continuum
on a direct course with you.
Collision imminent.
Unable to correct.
Over.
I repeat, collision imminent.
Unable to correct.
Do you hear us?
Please reply.
The laser system-- perhaps
we can fire a warning
without overloading the laser.
I'll set the discharge at 50%.
Any more than that will destroy
the other craft and our laser.
Stand by for discharge.
[laser blast]
It worked.
The discharge acted like
an invisible barrier.
It didn't work.
They're going to
crash, kill us all.
I've got to stop them.
Stanton, wait, you fool.
You'll be murdering-- destroying
everybody who's out there.
[laser blast]
Laser power surge from
the lab-- it's too much.
Lock-in is impossible.
They're going too fast.
Release time locks.
They're gone.
What happened?
Where did they go?
Monitoring is still
tracking the lab.
They haven't stopped yet.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
We made visual
contact with the lab
as it passed through our time.
Our time selector
indicates they're
traveling on the spacetime
continuum into the past.
We're standing by to
reestablish visual contact.
Please verify closest
possible date.
They must be completely
out of control.
No change in speed--
they're still traveling.
[church bells]
[cannon fire]
[horses galloping]
[hooting]
[cannon fire]
[clashing swords]
[yelling]
Well, how far we've
traveled-- two millennia,
perhaps even farther.
It looks prehistoric.
Mark, what is the time
selector reading now?
1 million years.
1 million years?
BC.
Both of you go
back to your panels.
See that the settings
remain as they are.
I must have readings.
Otherwise--
The laser system--
the ruby's cracked.
It could shatter.
I'm going to take
a look outside.
You people do what
you have to do.
I'll let you know what
it's like out there.
DR. GORDON: Stanton, come back.
The warp condition is unstable.
It may collapse any second.
The lab may move on.
MARK MANNING: Come
back, Stanton.
If we move on, we'll
be lost in time.
Some loss.
I'll go after him.
Mark.
No, Mark.
I'll go after him.
It's my responsibility.
I'm still the senior here.
Now you two, get
back to the panels.
See to those settings, and see
that they stay as they are.
Well, I think we've got
to reprogram the circuits
in our master control.
Are you getting any video?
Nothing on video.
However, we are still
maintaining a signal from
the lab's laser pulse system.
But it's-- it's weak, very weak.
Could that be because
of the great distance
they've traveled?
I'm afraid not.
It's more likely a malfunction
within their unit-- the laser
ruby.
Is that serious?
Well, it could be if
anything happened to it.
You see, that ruby
is the power source
for the entire lab and the
only link we have with them.
Monitoring indicates the
lab has come to a halt.
And telemetry from
the lab indicates
the systems are very weak.
The warp could collapse at any
minute and the lab move on.
Can they give us
a time coordinate?
No, they dropped
it in our laps.
We have to locate
and retrieve the lab.
They consider the
condition critical.
All right, stand by to
activate time screen.
SUSAN: Standing by.
DAVE: Screen activated.
Stand by to boost reception.
This is central control.
We're going to
increase power input
and attempt to get clear
reception on the lab.
All right, I'm going to
boost power gradually.
Almost-- just a little more.
All right, we've got them.
Now let's try and
bring them back.
Monitoring is standing
by-- anytime you're ready.
All right, lock in
time coordinates.
Time coordinates locked.
Set the time selector to
present plus or minus 24 hours.
Time selector set.
All right, I'm going to try
to bring them back slowly.
We're just holding
them by a thread.
If we have a
burnout or a setting
change in that lab
or even ours, we'll
short out all our circuits.
You ready, Susan?
Ready.
All right, switch on.
[static]
SUSAN: Mark.
DAVE: They're starting to drift.
We'll have to hold it here.
Dave, we're shorting out.
Cut all power input circuits.
[sparking]
Well, that does it.
All the systems are gone.
There's nothing more we can do.
We're still picking up the
laser signal from the lab.
At least they're still intact.
She's right, Dave.
That's something.
Yeah, I'm sure
that's something.
But it may not be enough.
That warp condition was
unstable to begin with.
The lab can move on at any time.
It may be hours before we
can rewire and try again.
[static]
Mark.
Mark, what is it?
Keep the warp open, and
watch the laser ruby.
[laser blast]
DAVE: Well, it's
worse than we thought.
Those circuits took quite
a beating, it turns out.
Dave, the laser beam--
we've lost the signal.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
We've just lost the
signal from the lab.
Do you still hold
a bearing on them?
No bearing.
The lab's gone.
There has to be
something we can do.
We can't just leave them
stranded, lost in time.
We're not giving up
yet-- not until I've
rewired every circuit and
checked out every system.
[screaming]
[roaring]
KAREN WHITE: Mark,
where are you?
Karen?
It came after me and
tried to attack the lab.
I discharged the laser
and the ruby shattered.
Mark, what are we going to do?
DR. GORDON: Look.
[screeching]
Let's head for those
rocks, try to lose him.
Come on.
[roaring]
STANTON: There's a
cave right over here.
We can hold up in there.
Come on.
[roaring]
Whew, that was close.
Too close.
It doesn't sound as if
he's going to let up.
We'll just have to sit him out.
Sit him out?
Let's try to find
another way out of here.
All right.
We've been wandering
around for hours.
Yeah.
We were lost when
we came in here.
But you, Manning-- yeah, you.
You really fouled us up.
Now you've got us
in here deeper.
Look, Stanton, if
it weren't for you,
we'd be back in
our own time now.
Mark, Karen, come
over here quickly.
What do you think of
this outcropping, Mark?
Well, if it weren't
for its enormous size,
I'd said it was an
emerald, a giant emerald.
All right, and this?
A diamond.
Oh, but they can't be real.
It is.
And do you know what it means?
Uh-huh, it means we're rich.
Not at all, Stanton.
These are worthless stones to us
unless we can find a ruby, one
of the approximate
size and weight
to replace the one that was
shattered in the laser unit.
Come on.
I've never seen anything
so beautiful, so majestic.
Just hope the place
has the ruby we need.
This crater must be a lava pit.
Intense heat and pressure
formed all these gems.
This cavern must be in
the center of a volcano.
Take it easy, Stanton.
No worry, I know
what I'm doing.
Look, you get what you want.
I'll get what I want.
Get away from there.
Now listen, Dr. Gordon.
You're not giving me any orders.
This is not your expedition.
It was an accident, an
accident with my equipment
and bought with my money.
So I'll do as I
damn well please.
[steam escaping]
Get out of here before
the place blows sky high.
[screaming]
MARK MANNING:
Stanton, come back.
We've got to stick together.
Come on, Karen.
Stanton got away from us.
[whirring]
Stanton, wait.
We're pretty close now.
You know, if we could step up
the power input several points,
we might have reception.
Yeah, but I don't think these
circuits will stand much more.
It's pretty makeshift now.
Look, the laser signal.
Wait a minute.
Monitoring reports they picked
up activity from the lab again.
It's moving.
In which direction?
Back on a steady course
towards the present.
Increase video power
input two points.
Activate image stabilizer.
Better cross your
fingers, and let's hope
we don't overload this time.
All right, Susan, stand by
to activate time lock-in.
I'm ready.
Lock-in activated.
MARK MANNING [ON PA]:
This is Dr. Manning.
We are from the year 1968.
We're traveling the
time space continuum
on a direct course with you.
Collision imminent.
DR. GORDON [ON PA]:
The laser system.
Perhaps we can fire a warning
without overloading the laser.
MARK MANNING [ON
PA]: It didn't work.
STANTON [ON PA]: They're
going to crash, kill us all.
I better stop them.
DR. GORDON [ON PA]:
Stanton, wait, you fool.
You'll be murdering-- destroying
everybody who's out there.
STANTON: No!
[explosion]
Was that the lab?
It couldn't be.
We're still getting a signal
from the lab's laser beam
system.
Well then, what was it?
I don't know.
Monitoring confirms
it was not the lab.
They're still picking
up its bearing.
The lab is stationary in its
original position in the past,
and telemetry indicates
the systems are go.
They can move ahead
at any second.
Good, we better
watch these controls.
Now, they may attempt
transport again.
Dave, the time
lock system is dead.
Controls, the settings--
they're exactly the way they
were when we first arrived.
But that's impossible.
Nothing's impossible.
Stanton must have doubled back,
maybe even destroyed himself.
I have a feeling
we better activate
the time transport while
everything is still working.
The same thing
could happen to us.
Well, that's a chance
we'll have to take.
I'm setting the time selector
to return us to our own time.
Plus or minus how many seconds?
30 seconds plus departure time.
Here we go again.
They're moving.
All systems check, with the
exception of the time lock.
What if they overshoot again?
Isn't there some way
we can stop them?
No, they'll have to hit
their time mark on their own.
Laser beam increasing.
They should be coming
through at any second.
It worked.
They hit their time lock.
DAVE: Yeah, but
they're not locked in.
They're still drifting, and
beyond the 24 hour mark.
What is it, Mark?
So strange, so quiet.
We'd better hurry.
We're off our time mark.
Mark.
Our calculations
weren't exact enough.
We've returned too
far back in time.
Why aren't we-- why
aren't they moving?
We've disrupted the time flow.
We're existing in
a world outside
of time, a parallel world.
Look, they are
moving, only so slowly
that you can barely see it.
We're existing at such
an accelerated time
rate we'd be nothing more
than shadows to them.
There can't be two of us.
Sooner or later, time
will catch up with us,
ourselves and our counterparts.
What could happen?
Two solid objects can't
occupy the space of one.
I don't know what would happen.
We'd explode, implode.
I don't know, but at any
rate we'd cease to exist.
There's got to be
a way out of this.
There's a chance.
What?
Back to the time lab.
To what?
And when?
Come on, I don't know what.
It's our only chance.
We've got to take it.
[ECHOING] Dr. Are you prepared
to demonstrate this looking
into the future for us now?
[ECHOING] No, not quite yet.
[ECHOING] Well, I thought not.
Well gentlemen, I'll
take into consideration
your request for funds.
But I'll have to warn you.
If you don't come up with
anything more concrete
within 24 hours, I'll be forced
to shut down this section
and convert it to
weapons development.
Good day.
[ECHOING] There's only one
other thing we can try--
accelerate the
laser beam cycling.
[ECHOING] Mark,
we've never subjected
the unit to such speed.
[ECHOING] It's a risk.
I say take it.
[ECHOING] Now wait
a minute, Manning.
You have no authority to make
a decision as rash as that.
Dr. Gordon is in charge
of this project, not you.
[ECHOING] It may shatter
the laser's ruby, Mark.
[ECHOING] Or it may not.
If it does, we're
out of business.
But if we don't get
this damn thing working,
we're out of business anyway.
[ECHOING] Very
well, we'll try it.
Whoa, that's enough, Mark.
What's the reading?
[ECHOING] I don't know.
I could still accelerate, but
the needle is glued to the top
of the flash pulse indicator.
There's no way of telling
what our cycle speed is.
[ECHOING] Better decelerate.
[ECHOING] No.
Wait, it could be the time
transport calibrations.
They may be off.
Try moving the transport ahead.
Hold it there.
I'm going to open the
photon cycling all the way.
[ECHOING] No,
don't do that, Mark.
[whirring]
Mark, what will it be like?
Another Earth, another
time-- who really knows?
We may be the Adam and
Eve of a brave new world.
[whirring]
[music playing]
span of man's evolution,
time has been measured by
the journey of our planet
through the darkness of space.
Scientists use our solar system
and the cold vast regions
of the universe as
a giant time keeper.
Time has a quality
as hazy and distant
as the perimeter
of our own galaxy.
The haze occasionally
clears for those minds
which inquire into the very
nature of the fabric of time
itself.
And a glimpse of the true
meaning of time is revealed.
Time, from creation to now, tugs
toward all yesterdays almost as
strongly as the unborn
tomorrows that stretch
toward all eternity.
Someday, man will
strike a balance
between these two great
universal forces-- the past
and the future.
And then will man
make a fantastic
journey to the center of time.
[car horn]
Mr. Stanton Jr.
and Mr. Denning here
for a top priority conference.
Yes, sir.
Your route is cleared
through to the time vault.
Denning, how long
does my father have
to be dead before you bury him?
I don't understand.
Am I or am I not in full
control of Stanton Industries?
Why, of course.
Then we'll drop the Junior.
I'm the only Stanton in
Stanton Industries now.
[warning buzzer]
[machines beeping]
Power intake,
computer, tapes, all go.
Laser beam pulse system go.
Photosensitives go.
Time selector set at Present.
All set, Dave.
Stand by for time
synchronization.
Check time transport
system functioning properly.
Date-- 6/8/68.
Time-- 11 hours, 20 minutes.
Five, four, three,
two, one-- mark.
Marked-- date, 6/8/68,
time 11 hours 20 minutes.
Count down checks out OK, Mark.
Time synchronization 100.
I'm standing by for
basic systems check run.
Ready.
Switch on.
Switch on.
Stand by to activate
image stabilizer switch.
Reception 100.
All systems go.
Time selector accuracy, 100.
Stand by, Dave, here we go.
OK, see you day
before yesterday.
I'm going to set the time
selector at minus 24 hours.
Final countdown-- 10,
nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
Date, 5/8/68, time, 11 hours
20 minutes-- standing by.
Hey, it worked great.
Time transport all go.
All go.
All go.
Accuracy 100.
Now I'm setting
the time selector
at zero minus 48 hours.
We need more basic power input.
Basic power systems are
pulling maximum power now.
MARK MANNING: Check
laser beam cycling.
Flash pulse indicator
is up to maximum.
Laser beam cycling is up, too.
MARK MANNING: We're not
getting enough power
for the time transport.
Check photon cycling.
I'm sorry, Mark.
Photon cycling is up there, too.
You've got all the external
power coming into the lab now.
I can't give you any more.
Wait a minute.
The internal power
supply in your lab,
your auxiliary
standby, my meters
show a power shut-off there.
Doc, why don't you try opening
it up and see what happens?
Very well, we'll try it.
[beeping]
Mark, the time selectors.
Cut it back.
Well, we might as
well shut down.
I'm sorry.
We weren't ready
for that much power.
Don't blame yourself, Mark.
I agreed to take a chance.
Zero minus 24 hours--
always 24 hours.
We'll get there yet, Mark.
We've been at this
almost two years already.
And we've still never gotten
further back than 24 hours.
And that's only phase
A. What about phase B?
Remember what Edison said.
At least we know 700
ways that won't work.
Nothing worth doing
is done easily.
Was there any damage, Karen?
Nothing serious.
The circuit breakers all worked.
Oh, Mark?
Something's burned out.
It looks like one of the
time selector circuits.
Nothing drastic, but that
takes care of our demonstration
very nicely.
Good heavens, I'd
forgotten all about that.
Well, if I know Stanton Jr.
and his one man committee
to, quote, "investigate and
evaluate existing research
projects to determine future
appropriations," unquote,
he hasn't forgotten.
And he and his sharp little blue
pencil are due here any minute.
FEMALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Doctors
Manning, Gordon, and White,
please report to
main conference room.
Mr. Stanton has arrived
with Mr. Denning.
How's that for a cue?
It'll do.
Let us go.
Gordon.
You know Mr. Stanton.
He's very eager to learn more
about this project of yours.
Mr. Stanton, Mr.
Denning, my colleagues,
Ms. White, Dr. Manning.
Gordon, Gordon,
Gordon, oh yes, Gordon.
Yes, Dr. Gordon, I believe my
father granted you the largest
appropriation of
any research project
of last year-- $14 million.
To be exact, it was,
oh, yes, $13,794,520.12.
Why?
We're working on a project
which is entirely new,
Mr. Stanton.
And that means new types of
equipment, new techniques,
much experimentation.
Why, Dr. Gordon?
What makes your
project so important?
Perhaps this might
interest you, Mr. Denning.
This is what really started
Dr. Gordon on the project.
Why, it looks like an
old newspaper clipping.
It is.
Ah, may I?
Well, don't keep it to
yourself, Mr. Stanton.
Let me in on it.
All right, "Washington,
DC, November 27.
An announcement has
been made concerning
an airborne eye that sees
the past as well the present.
What this particular
instrument accomplishes
is this-- operating from a
height of some 40,000 feet
in space, the eye
looks down and reflects
moving images of people and
objects not then present
but that were there
on the previous day."
But that's impossible.
STANTON: "Developed by
the Department of Defense
and used to gather information
on missile bases in Cuba,
the TV-like eye somehow picks
up reflections of activity
and things from
some time before,
referring them to an
observation screen.
For instance, the eye may
pass over an empty parking lot
to capture pictures of the
spot when it was filled
with cars during the day."
You photograph the past?
That's substantially correct.
I don't know, but taking
pictures of a parking lot
the way it appeared a
few days previous, well,
it strikes me as the height
of useless occupation,
hardly worth almost $14 million.
As useless as raising a
crop of mold on old bread?
Yes, if you like.
That's probably exactly what
they told Fleming before he
called his mold penicillin.
Now see here, Manning.
MR. DENNING: Gentlemen,
gentlemen, please, why don't we
all sit down and let Dr. Gordon
explain how this multimillion
dollar gizmo of his works?
Certainly.
I'd be glad to.
Our experiments here
are an extension of one
of the fundamentals
of Einstein's theory
of relativity-- the
curved universe.
Theories, Dr.
Gordon, only theories.
It's proven, Mr.
Stanton, proven.
We know that there is a
definite relationship,
and a peculiar one,
between time and the three
dimensions of space.
Time may therefore be
considered a fourth dimension.
MR. DENNING: I'm afraid I
don't follow you, Dr. Gordon.
DR. GORDON: Now,
take this booklet.
It may be said to exist in
space in three dimensions--
length, width, and height.
Of course.
Ah, but it wasn't
always like that.
Before it took that shape, it
existed as paper, as wood pulp.
And at any time, it may
change its dimension.
So it still exists.
But its three
dimensional description
is no longer valid except
for a certain period of time.
Time is therefore a
necessary fourth dimension.
Yes.
In fact every object, every
object from this booklet
to the entire
universe, may be said
to exist in what the scientists
call the spacetime continuum.
Doctor, may we come back to
just what contribution you have
made to this matter, please?
Certainly.
All right, have you
have any success ever
with any of your experiments?
Yes, partial success.
We've been able to go
back in time 24 hours.
24 hours.
[chuckles] In other words, you
and Manning here have been just
duplicating
scientific experiments
that have been tried
and discarded before.
Not at all.
We're working with an
entirely different principle.
Well, Dr. Manning?
Instead of the
infrared beam principle
used in the early
experiments, our system
is based on a laser beam.
Laser beam?
It stands for
Light Amplification
by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation.
Oh, I see.
It's a one color
coherent light beam
which is extremely selective.
It doesn't spread
like ordinary light.
The rays stay parallel.
A laser beam is like one perfect
note from a virtuoso's violin,
while ordinary light is like
the noise from a practicing
high school band.
It's--
May we dispense with your
lyrical classroom lecture
and get down to
the facts, please?
Now, I still don't
know what it is
you gentlemen are trying to do,
if you'll excuse my ignorance.
If it's all right with
you, it's all right with me.
MR. DENNING:
Gentlemen, gentlemen.
So you think you can take
a peek at the good old days
with this laser beam
system of yours, doctor?
Yes.
The past, of
course, still exists.
MR. DENNING: Oh?
Suppose a scientist on a planet
some 50 light years from here
were observing Earth.
He would at this moment be
looking at light rays that
left this Earth 50 years ago.
He might very well be
watching the First World War.
In effect, some full
50 years of history
would be contained in
those beams traveling
to that distant planet.
That's quite an idea.
It's more than an
idea, Mr. Denning.
It's fact.
And since spacetime
is a continuum,
the present is only a
point moving constantly
along that continuum.
When you put it
like that, doctor,
even I can understand it.
Theoretically,
with our equipment,
we should be able
to cut in anywhere
along that continuum, actually
journey to the center of time.
And why haven't you been able
to get beyond the 24 hour mark?
Well, that's a
question to which we
haven't found the answer yet.
Now doctor, I
understand that you
refer to this watching the past
as phase A of your project.
Yes.
And that phase B is really
the important aspect of it.
That's correct.
Would you mind telling
me just what is phase B?
Looking into the future.
Oh really, looking
into the future.
Now despite all
the trouble you've
had looking into the past,
you still think you can
succeed in this, well, scheme?
We do.
And for what
purpose, may I ask?
We are on the threshold
of space travel,
Mr. Stanton, actually
travelling to other planets.
Our existing predictor
instruments are not adequate.
Predictor instruments, doctor?
Instruments that are used
in jets, rockets, spacecraft.
They get predictive
information about the future,
look into the
future, as it were.
But their capacity is
measured only in seconds.
Now we need to look ahead
hours, days, even weeks.
Fascinating, Dr. Gordon,
absolutely fascinating.
Yes, it's all very
interesting, doctor.
But I must say it's also
also very, very far fetched.
Doctor, are you prepared
to demonstrate this looking
into the future for us now?
No, not quite yet.
Ha, well, I thought not.
Well, gentlemen, I'll
take into consideration
your request for funds.
But I'll have to warn you.
If you don't come up with
anything more concrete
within 24 hour, I'll be forced
to shut down this section
and convert it to
weapons development.
Good day.
Doctor, young Stanton
isn't quite like his father.
He hates to put the
family money into anything
that isn't going up.
Then why doesn't he
put it all into taxes?
That's the only
thing sure to go up.
You shouldn't
antagonize the man, Mark.
He's a pompous fool.
Well, we know that empty
vessels make the most noise.
But unfortunately, we're
dependent on this one.
We wondered where
you disappeared to.
Yes, getting a
little fresh air.
Worrying won't do any good.
I guess not.
Such a lovely evening.
The mountains look much
softer in the moonlight.
Yeah.
It doesn't get you
at all, does it?
What?
All this.
What would you
like, a serenade?
Poetry?
Why not?
All right, I can be poetic.
Let's see, a lady of
science name White
can travel much
faster than light.
She took off one day
in a relative way
and returned on
the previous night.
[laughing] You nut.
You know, you're
actually-- you're actually
quite pretty for a girl.
Why, you're not entirely
impossible yourself.
There's even a full moon.
The perfect
setting for romance.
It's a shame for
it to go to waste.
What do you say?
Help yourself.
Susan.
Ah, good morning, Mr. Denning.
How are you this morning?
Well, I'm not so sure
after getting caught
in that rainstorm last night.
Here today for the test?
Oh yes, yes, I'm
looking forward to it.
it should be very interesting.
Yeah, we were just
discussing that.
Mr. Stanton come in yet?
Yeah, I saw him in the
hall a little while ago.
He was on his way down
to the time vault.
I think he's going to
watch the test from there.
Oh?
Well, I won't be in the way if
I watch it from here, will I?
Oh no, not at all.
Dr. Gordon just told
monitoring to stand by.
I think they're
ready for countdown.
Well, I better get
a move on, then.
See you later, Mr. Denning.
Right, Dave.
DR. GORDON: I've
changed the settings
gradually, though I'm sure the
circuits are all right again.
Right.
Stay with it for a while, Dave.
We're running a check.
No hurry.
I've got all the
time in the world--
past, present, and future.
Don't worry about a thing.
I'm going to run a
computer check for myself.
Oh, by the way, maintenance
replaced the burnt out circuits
last night.
So everything should be A-OK.
Cut the image stabilizer.
Switch is off.
Stand by.
Setting minus one.
Setting minus two.
Morning, Gordon.
Hello, Mr. Stanton.
Setting minus three.
Ms. White, Manning.
Mr. Stanton.
Well, I hope for your sake
that you people have something
to show me this morning.
In a minute, Mr. Stanton.
Setting minus four.
You know, I'm not against
sinking money into research
as long as it pays off.
It didn't take Stanton
long to get into the act.
DR. GORDON: Setting minus five.
Setting minus six,
Seven, eight, nine, 10.
Setting minus six,
Seven, eight, nine, 10.
There, that does it--
circuits checked.
Standing by for exterior
systems check run.
OK, then what are
we waiting for?
Phase B.
MARK MANNING: OK, phase B it is.
Resetting the time selector,
and starting read check
on countdown-- 10,
nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
Marked-- time
synchronization 100.
It's all yours, Doc.
Take her away.
I've set the time
selector at zero
plus 24 hours
towards the future.
Time selector set.
Stand by to activate
time transport circuits.
KAREN WHITE: Standing by.
[whirring]
Switch on.
Switch is on.
Time transport system
indicator is no go.
How is it for you in there?
Negative.
I'm going to increase
the power input.
Stay with the
overload indicator.
I'll only take it
to maximum capacity.
[whirring]
Negative.
There's only one
other thing we can try.
Accelerate the
laser beam cycling.
Mark, we've never subjected
the unit to such speed.
It's a risk.
I say take it.
Now wait a minute, Manning.
You have no authority to make
a decision as rash as that.
Dr. Gordon is in charge
of this project, not you.
It may shatter the
laser's ruby, Mark.
Or it may not.
If it does, we're
out of business.
But we don't get this damn thing
working, we're out of business
anyway.
Very well, we'll try it.
Oh, that's enough, Mark.
What's the reading?
I don't know.
I could still accelerate.
But the needle is
glued to the top
of the flash pulse
indicator, no way of telling
what our cycle speed is.
Better decelerate.
No.
Wait, it could be the time
transport calibrations.
They may be off.
Try moving the transport ahead.
Keep going-- to the
top, keep going.
That's it, Mark.
I'm the past the
maximum input now.
How far?
Oh, 100,000 years.
That's twice that, even more.
I'm bringing time
transport back-- time
transport back to zero hours.
Hold it there.
I'm going to open the
photon cycling all the way.
No, don't do that, Mark.
[whirring]
[electrical explosion]
[bombs exploding]
[sirens]
[bombs exploding]
Wait, look.
It's a test area, time central.
It's fantastic.
Look at that
gigantic spacecraft.
But how?
The time transport circuits
are completely fused.
The time selectors.
What's the reading, Mark?
5,000 years.
But that's impossible.
In the future.
But it can't be.
I know as much as you do.
The lab just seemed to vanish.
All right, we'll stand by.
But hurry, please.
What happened?
Where's the lab gone?
I don't know.
One minute, everything
was operating properly.
Dr. Gordon, Mark, and
Karen were in the lab.
Suddenly there was a
tremendous power surge.
Mr. Stanton was in
there when it happened.
Mr. Stanton?
Well, can't you do something?
Bring them back.
Are they in danger?
We better try to
establish contact
with them-- wherever they went.
Susan, has the monitoring
been able to establish
a bearing on the lab?
Negative.
Monitoring tried to
establish contact.
But any attempt at communication
with the lab has failed.
Apparently, everything's been
cut off from within their unit.
Then that means they're
really lost, doesn't it?
DAVE: No, not necessarily.
We're still getting a faint but
steady signal from their laser
beam pulse system.
Monitoring is attempting
to trace that signal now.
Trace it?
To where?
To whatever dimension in time
or space they've traveled into.
You mean they've travel
somewhere into time?
Well, I follow you,
but not very far.
Well, you're familiar with
the time-space continuum?
I'm familiar with the theory.
All right then, now that lab
is still inside the time vault.
But somehow, they've transported
themselves through some warp
in the continuum.
Monitoring has just
completed their test data
from the recorder
into the computers.
We should know very shortly
how far and in what direction
the lab has travelled.
And then what do we do?
Well, it's a wild chance.
But before the overload,
all our systems and circuits
were synchronized
with those in the lab.
Our central control is equipped
to take over complete control
of the lab in the
event of any emergency,
such as a power failure
from within the lab.
Monitoring reports the time
synchronization to the lab
was set on plus factor,
phase B. They've
traveled into the future.
The future?
How far?
Well, there's no way of telling
their exact time coordinates.
But according to the laser beam,
the lab has stopped moving.
Quick, get engineering
up here right away.
I want all the plans
of the time transport
circuits inside that lab.
The overload burned out
certain vital circuits
and apparently has created new
ones, new ones that somehow,
somehow we're going
to have to duplicate
here in our master control if
we ever hope to bring them back.
We've done it.
The future-- a window
5,000 years into the future.
I almost wish we hadn't.
MARK MANNING: Why
do you say that?
It's almost as if
we've discovered
the end of the world.
We don't know that.
Come, there's much to do.
We've got to take
note of every reading,
recall what fuses
have been made,
and what new
connections have been
made in the transport system.
I don't know if
those circuits are
stable enough not to burn out.
We better work fast.
It won't be long at
this cycling speed
before the laser explodes.
You know something?
It looks like you can
step right out into it.
[explosion]
We're in the center of
some sort of nuclear war.
Doctor, get us out of
here before we get killed.
This is not a window
into the future.
This is real.
The lab-- we have been
transported here physically.
A time rift, a warp of
the spacetime continuum
that matter can pass through.
KAREN WHITE: We traveled
over 5,000 years
in a matter of seconds.
Come on, the condition
may deteriorate suddenly.
The readings, the new
circuits, quickly.
Mark, the hatch.
Do not be alarmed.
We mean you no harm.
We observed your craft as
it appeared from nowhere.
You'll please come with us.
Hold it.
How do we know?
But how do you
know you'll be safe?
You don't.
But if you're found here
outside of our barrier,
you will surely be destroyed.
We must hurry.
Come with us.
We seem to have
very little choice.
Where are you taking us?
To the council chambers
within our starship, Dr. Vina.
Dr. Vina will be as interested
in asking you questions
as you are in having
yours answered.
Picking up a faint video
signal from the lab,
but it's not strong
enough for clear reception
on the time screen.
All right, let's see what we
can pick up on the screen now.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
Now, I've reprogrammed the
time selector and transport
circuits in our master control.
I'm going to attempt to utilize
the laser beam pulse system as
a guide to pick up video image.
Please stand by and record all
phases of our first contact.
All right, Susan, stand by
to activate time screen.
Standing by.
All right, screen activated.
Image activated.
Reception 100, standing by.
Susan, try advancing the
time selector slowly forward.
Just what do you hope to
accomplish by all this,
if I may ask?
Well, we know they went
forward into the future.
It seems logical that if
we can beam in on the lab's
last position and
slowly advance,
we should be able to
pick up their image.
Negative so far.
The vault's beginning
to fade out.
Keep trying.
Keep trying.
Try changing the
time coordinates.
Still negative.
I don't think it's going to--
Wait, wait, look, it's working.
My god.
Where are they?
Lost if we don't act fast.
We've got to take a
chance, try to bring
them back before it's too late.
Dave, we're drifting.
I don't think we'll be able
to hold them much longer.
Just long enough to
try to bring them back.
We're losing them.
Quick, lock in time
synchronization.
I can't.
We're drifting.
We've got to hold them.
We may not get a second chance.
But the circuits are unstable.
Lock-in is impossible.
They're gone.
We've lost them.
Keep trying, Susan.
We'll get them again.
We've got to.
There's no telling
where they are now.
DR. GORDON: --lost
for explanations.
Less than an hour ago,
we were in our laboratory
in our own world.
And now--
You are still in your
own world, Dr. Gordon.
We are the aliens, not you.
DR. GORDON: Aliens?
I don't quite understand.
Ours is a colonization ship.
We come from a dead world
far beyond your galaxy.
And we have been
searching for a new world
with an environment close to
that of our own mother planet.
This is still Earth.
The year is 6968.
But yours is a dying world.
Dying?
How?
I wish I could tell you
that the reason was natural.
But I'm afraid that
it is man's own folly.
Ours was an untimely
arrival upon your planet.
Regrettably, we've
landed in the midst
of a devastating global war, a
war which will leave Earth dead
and mankind annihilated.
How do you plan to survive
on an Earth that's dying?
We don't.
There is a creeping
death all around us.
We cannot stay.
Where could you go?
We must return to the stars,
to another planetary system
where Earth-like worlds exist.
MALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Break
through, break through,
units 9 through 14, report
to fuel depot sector 6.
Units 1 to 9 report to repair.
All other units on alert.
Stand by.
All our efforts may be in vain.
We're in a race, a
race we may not win.
A race?
MALE SPEAKER [ON PA]: Attention
all personnel, attack imminent.
Massive troop movement
reported outside barrier.
It is only a matter of
time before the large scale
assault will succeed.
We must make the necessary
repairs on our ship
before that happens or parish.
Why?
With all your
resources, why don't
you build stronger differences?
Our makeshift defenses
are adequate to protect us
for a while.
But there is grave danger.
If we cannot compete
those repairs in time--
MALE SPEAKER [ON
PA]: Major break
through, major
break through, enemy
has penetrated the barrier.
Repeat, barrier penetrated.
Enemy forces
rapidly approaching.
This is council control.
Activate secondary force field.
Repeat, activate
secondary force field.
You see, even with our
advanced technology,
we are not invulnerable.
Man's atomic weapons
are as primitive to us
as-- as spears are to man.
But even modern man can
be killed by a spear.
But if you're just here
for repairs as you say, why
would they want to attack you?
In hopes of
procuring our weapons,
our advanced technology.
To them it is a means
to carry on their way
of life, their waging of war.
[static]
They've broke through.
[laser blast]
We shall not succeed.
Our journey ends here.
But you-- you must
return to the past,
taking with you the
fate of mankind.
Fate of mankind?
You must return
to your own time.
Tell them-- tell them--
Yes, go on.
Warn them.
The laser weapon--
they must control it.
We have no laser weapon.
You will have.
It will leave your
Earth a sterile,
burned out slag in space.
It will-- my people
will help you
re-enter your time-space warp.
You must go with them.
You must return to your-- [gasp]
Follow me.
[laser blasts]
[explosions]
[laser blasts]
[explosions]
Monitoring, this
is central control.
Stand by that video
overload indicator.
We're going to try it again.
Are you ready, Susan?
Ready.
Screen on.
-I hope we're not too late.
-We're not.
But there's no time
to lose if we're going
to get them out of there alive.
What makes you even think
they're in-- in that time co--
Coordinate.
So far we haven't
seen any sign of them,
just this futuristic holocaust.
They're out there, Mr. Denning.
How can you be so sure?
You see, we're picking up this
image from the lab's equipment.
In other words, everything
we see on this screen
is identical to what Dr. Gordon
and his crew see from the lab.
Then as long as this
picture remains stable,
that means they're intact?
Yeah, that's basically correct.
But we have no way of knowing
if they're still inside the lab.
Well, I doubt very much that
they'd step out into that.
Monitoring reports they've just
picked up a change in the time
selector settings from the lab.
Does that mean
they're coming back?
That's a good bet.
Reset our time selector
to the present.
Reestablish video contact
within the time vault.
Time selector set
at zero minus 5,000.
We should be back in
seconds after we left.
I've tried to minimize
any chance of us colliding
with ourselves in time.
We'll make it.
Of course we will.
And we'll bring
back her warning.
We will not.
MARK MANNING: What
makes you so sure?
Well, isn't it
obvious, Manning?
The war did happen.
We didn't get back
with our warning.
Maybe we did.
Maybe they just didn't listen.
Sometimes people don't listen to
warnings that might save them.
But whether or not, there
must be something we can do.
At least we can--
Gentlemen, please.
Karen.
Laser beam pulse system go.
The overload indicator
shows that we've
overloaded the laser's ruby.
It could shatter if
we're not careful.
Does that mean we'll
be trapped here?
No, Stanton.
Our lab may be set
adrift, and we'd
wander aimlessly through time
and space like a ship at sea.
All set, Doc.
Standing by for time
synchronization.
Standing by.
All right.
Mark, activate time transport.
Time transport activated.
We should be back in the
time vault in a few seconds.
I wonder--
MARK MANNING: Doc,
Karen-- the screen.
Something's coming
at us and fast.
Whatever it is, we're on
a direct collision course.
Laser beam pulse
system increasing
in strength, causing
heavy static interference
in video reception.
All right, activate
image stabilizer.
Image stabilizer activated.
It looks like they're
coming back our way.
Monitoring, confirms.
Dr. Gordon's time selector
has been reset to the present.
How long will it be
before we see them?
Oh, I imagine just
a matter of seconds,
unless it takes longer to
come back than it does to go.
How accurately can
they time their return?
Within a few seconds of
their original departure.
They're safe if they
return within 24
hours in either direction.
But we're not taking any
chances on losing them again.
Stand by to attempt
time locking on the lab
as it passes through our
time plus or minus 24 hours.
It looks as if we're not the
only ones traveling in time.
FEMALE SPEAKER [ON
PA]: Collision course.
The radio-- it may not work,
but it's our only chance.
This is Dr. Manning.
We are from the year 1968.
We're traveling the
time space continuum
on a direct course with you.
Collision imminent.
Unable to correct.
Over.
I repeat, collision imminent.
Unable to correct.
Do you hear us?
Please reply.
The laser system-- perhaps
we can fire a warning
without overloading the laser.
I'll set the discharge at 50%.
Any more than that will destroy
the other craft and our laser.
Stand by for discharge.
[laser blast]
It worked.
The discharge acted like
an invisible barrier.
It didn't work.
They're going to
crash, kill us all.
I've got to stop them.
Stanton, wait, you fool.
You'll be murdering-- destroying
everybody who's out there.
[laser blast]
Laser power surge from
the lab-- it's too much.
Lock-in is impossible.
They're going too fast.
Release time locks.
They're gone.
What happened?
Where did they go?
Monitoring is still
tracking the lab.
They haven't stopped yet.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
We made visual
contact with the lab
as it passed through our time.
Our time selector
indicates they're
traveling on the spacetime
continuum into the past.
We're standing by to
reestablish visual contact.
Please verify closest
possible date.
They must be completely
out of control.
No change in speed--
they're still traveling.
[church bells]
[cannon fire]
[horses galloping]
[hooting]
[cannon fire]
[clashing swords]
[yelling]
Well, how far we've
traveled-- two millennia,
perhaps even farther.
It looks prehistoric.
Mark, what is the time
selector reading now?
1 million years.
1 million years?
BC.
Both of you go
back to your panels.
See that the settings
remain as they are.
I must have readings.
Otherwise--
The laser system--
the ruby's cracked.
It could shatter.
I'm going to take
a look outside.
You people do what
you have to do.
I'll let you know what
it's like out there.
DR. GORDON: Stanton, come back.
The warp condition is unstable.
It may collapse any second.
The lab may move on.
MARK MANNING: Come
back, Stanton.
If we move on, we'll
be lost in time.
Some loss.
I'll go after him.
Mark.
No, Mark.
I'll go after him.
It's my responsibility.
I'm still the senior here.
Now you two, get
back to the panels.
See to those settings, and see
that they stay as they are.
Well, I think we've got
to reprogram the circuits
in our master control.
Are you getting any video?
Nothing on video.
However, we are still
maintaining a signal from
the lab's laser pulse system.
But it's-- it's weak, very weak.
Could that be because
of the great distance
they've traveled?
I'm afraid not.
It's more likely a malfunction
within their unit-- the laser
ruby.
Is that serious?
Well, it could be if
anything happened to it.
You see, that ruby
is the power source
for the entire lab and the
only link we have with them.
Monitoring indicates the
lab has come to a halt.
And telemetry from
the lab indicates
the systems are very weak.
The warp could collapse at any
minute and the lab move on.
Can they give us
a time coordinate?
No, they dropped
it in our laps.
We have to locate
and retrieve the lab.
They consider the
condition critical.
All right, stand by to
activate time screen.
SUSAN: Standing by.
DAVE: Screen activated.
Stand by to boost reception.
This is central control.
We're going to
increase power input
and attempt to get clear
reception on the lab.
All right, I'm going to
boost power gradually.
Almost-- just a little more.
All right, we've got them.
Now let's try and
bring them back.
Monitoring is standing
by-- anytime you're ready.
All right, lock in
time coordinates.
Time coordinates locked.
Set the time selector to
present plus or minus 24 hours.
Time selector set.
All right, I'm going to try
to bring them back slowly.
We're just holding
them by a thread.
If we have a
burnout or a setting
change in that lab
or even ours, we'll
short out all our circuits.
You ready, Susan?
Ready.
All right, switch on.
[static]
SUSAN: Mark.
DAVE: They're starting to drift.
We'll have to hold it here.
Dave, we're shorting out.
Cut all power input circuits.
[sparking]
Well, that does it.
All the systems are gone.
There's nothing more we can do.
We're still picking up the
laser signal from the lab.
At least they're still intact.
She's right, Dave.
That's something.
Yeah, I'm sure
that's something.
But it may not be enough.
That warp condition was
unstable to begin with.
The lab can move on at any time.
It may be hours before we
can rewire and try again.
[static]
Mark.
Mark, what is it?
Keep the warp open, and
watch the laser ruby.
[laser blast]
DAVE: Well, it's
worse than we thought.
Those circuits took quite
a beating, it turns out.
Dave, the laser beam--
we've lost the signal.
Monitoring, this
is central control.
We've just lost the
signal from the lab.
Do you still hold
a bearing on them?
No bearing.
The lab's gone.
There has to be
something we can do.
We can't just leave them
stranded, lost in time.
We're not giving up
yet-- not until I've
rewired every circuit and
checked out every system.
[screaming]
[roaring]
KAREN WHITE: Mark,
where are you?
Karen?
It came after me and
tried to attack the lab.
I discharged the laser
and the ruby shattered.
Mark, what are we going to do?
DR. GORDON: Look.
[screeching]
Let's head for those
rocks, try to lose him.
Come on.
[roaring]
STANTON: There's a
cave right over here.
We can hold up in there.
Come on.
[roaring]
Whew, that was close.
Too close.
It doesn't sound as if
he's going to let up.
We'll just have to sit him out.
Sit him out?
Let's try to find
another way out of here.
All right.
We've been wandering
around for hours.
Yeah.
We were lost when
we came in here.
But you, Manning-- yeah, you.
You really fouled us up.
Now you've got us
in here deeper.
Look, Stanton, if
it weren't for you,
we'd be back in
our own time now.
Mark, Karen, come
over here quickly.
What do you think of
this outcropping, Mark?
Well, if it weren't
for its enormous size,
I'd said it was an
emerald, a giant emerald.
All right, and this?
A diamond.
Oh, but they can't be real.
It is.
And do you know what it means?
Uh-huh, it means we're rich.
Not at all, Stanton.
These are worthless stones to us
unless we can find a ruby, one
of the approximate
size and weight
to replace the one that was
shattered in the laser unit.
Come on.
I've never seen anything
so beautiful, so majestic.
Just hope the place
has the ruby we need.
This crater must be a lava pit.
Intense heat and pressure
formed all these gems.
This cavern must be in
the center of a volcano.
Take it easy, Stanton.
No worry, I know
what I'm doing.
Look, you get what you want.
I'll get what I want.
Get away from there.
Now listen, Dr. Gordon.
You're not giving me any orders.
This is not your expedition.
It was an accident, an
accident with my equipment
and bought with my money.
So I'll do as I
damn well please.
[steam escaping]
Get out of here before
the place blows sky high.
[screaming]
MARK MANNING:
Stanton, come back.
We've got to stick together.
Come on, Karen.
Stanton got away from us.
[whirring]
Stanton, wait.
We're pretty close now.
You know, if we could step up
the power input several points,
we might have reception.
Yeah, but I don't think these
circuits will stand much more.
It's pretty makeshift now.
Look, the laser signal.
Wait a minute.
Monitoring reports they picked
up activity from the lab again.
It's moving.
In which direction?
Back on a steady course
towards the present.
Increase video power
input two points.
Activate image stabilizer.
Better cross your
fingers, and let's hope
we don't overload this time.
All right, Susan, stand by
to activate time lock-in.
I'm ready.
Lock-in activated.
MARK MANNING [ON PA]:
This is Dr. Manning.
We are from the year 1968.
We're traveling the
time space continuum
on a direct course with you.
Collision imminent.
DR. GORDON [ON PA]:
The laser system.
Perhaps we can fire a warning
without overloading the laser.
MARK MANNING [ON
PA]: It didn't work.
STANTON [ON PA]: They're
going to crash, kill us all.
I better stop them.
DR. GORDON [ON PA]:
Stanton, wait, you fool.
You'll be murdering-- destroying
everybody who's out there.
STANTON: No!
[explosion]
Was that the lab?
It couldn't be.
We're still getting a signal
from the lab's laser beam
system.
Well then, what was it?
I don't know.
Monitoring confirms
it was not the lab.
They're still picking
up its bearing.
The lab is stationary in its
original position in the past,
and telemetry indicates
the systems are go.
They can move ahead
at any second.
Good, we better
watch these controls.
Now, they may attempt
transport again.
Dave, the time
lock system is dead.
Controls, the settings--
they're exactly the way they
were when we first arrived.
But that's impossible.
Nothing's impossible.
Stanton must have doubled back,
maybe even destroyed himself.
I have a feeling
we better activate
the time transport while
everything is still working.
The same thing
could happen to us.
Well, that's a chance
we'll have to take.
I'm setting the time selector
to return us to our own time.
Plus or minus how many seconds?
30 seconds plus departure time.
Here we go again.
They're moving.
All systems check, with the
exception of the time lock.
What if they overshoot again?
Isn't there some way
we can stop them?
No, they'll have to hit
their time mark on their own.
Laser beam increasing.
They should be coming
through at any second.
It worked.
They hit their time lock.
DAVE: Yeah, but
they're not locked in.
They're still drifting, and
beyond the 24 hour mark.
What is it, Mark?
So strange, so quiet.
We'd better hurry.
We're off our time mark.
Mark.
Our calculations
weren't exact enough.
We've returned too
far back in time.
Why aren't we-- why
aren't they moving?
We've disrupted the time flow.
We're existing in
a world outside
of time, a parallel world.
Look, they are
moving, only so slowly
that you can barely see it.
We're existing at such
an accelerated time
rate we'd be nothing more
than shadows to them.
There can't be two of us.
Sooner or later, time
will catch up with us,
ourselves and our counterparts.
What could happen?
Two solid objects can't
occupy the space of one.
I don't know what would happen.
We'd explode, implode.
I don't know, but at any
rate we'd cease to exist.
There's got to be
a way out of this.
There's a chance.
What?
Back to the time lab.
To what?
And when?
Come on, I don't know what.
It's our only chance.
We've got to take it.
[ECHOING] Dr. Are you prepared
to demonstrate this looking
into the future for us now?
[ECHOING] No, not quite yet.
[ECHOING] Well, I thought not.
Well gentlemen, I'll
take into consideration
your request for funds.
But I'll have to warn you.
If you don't come up with
anything more concrete
within 24 hours, I'll be forced
to shut down this section
and convert it to
weapons development.
Good day.
[ECHOING] There's only one
other thing we can try--
accelerate the
laser beam cycling.
[ECHOING] Mark,
we've never subjected
the unit to such speed.
[ECHOING] It's a risk.
I say take it.
[ECHOING] Now wait
a minute, Manning.
You have no authority to make
a decision as rash as that.
Dr. Gordon is in charge
of this project, not you.
[ECHOING] It may shatter
the laser's ruby, Mark.
[ECHOING] Or it may not.
If it does, we're
out of business.
But if we don't get
this damn thing working,
we're out of business anyway.
[ECHOING] Very
well, we'll try it.
Whoa, that's enough, Mark.
What's the reading?
[ECHOING] I don't know.
I could still accelerate, but
the needle is glued to the top
of the flash pulse indicator.
There's no way of telling
what our cycle speed is.
[ECHOING] Better decelerate.
[ECHOING] No.
Wait, it could be the time
transport calibrations.
They may be off.
Try moving the transport ahead.
Hold it there.
I'm going to open the
photon cycling all the way.
[ECHOING] No,
don't do that, Mark.
[whirring]
Mark, what will it be like?
Another Earth, another
time-- who really knows?
We may be the Adam and
Eve of a brave new world.
[whirring]
[music playing]