Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150930 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-02-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 175 minutes

Customer Reviews

good films; horrible quality
Things to Come is a fascinating film with dialogue that seems suited better for the stage than for the silver screen....it is poignant and interesting to watch, even if it seems to drag a bit at times. Also, the futuristic scenes at the end of the film are fun for fans of elaborate urban future sets. Journey to the Center of Time is a fun '60s sci-fi film for the old skool fans, maybe not on the philosophical level of the first film, but it does toy with time travelling theories, which some will find intriguing... it is a good late night flick for hanging out, at any rate... however, I write this review mainly to let folks know that the picture quality on the first film was horrible, and also lacking on the second. What is worse is that the audio is messed up (on both films) and the left channel seems distorted, like it was recorded improperly, with high-end clipping and crackling almost constantly... trying different speakers (Bose, Alesis) as well as different players made no difference... If I didn't know better, I'd say that the company got the analogue originals out of a dumpster, and then remastered the audio with their ears plugged or something. Due to the poor quality of the DVD, especially the audio, I would recommend waiting or looking for different editions/releases of these films unless you absolutely have to have them now.

Cheap Rip-Off
This double feature by (shudder) Madacy contains two amazingly poor looking films: "Things to Come" and "Journey to the Center of Time." "Things to Come" is a thought provoking film based on H.G. Welles's book "The Shape of Things to Come," but you wouldn't be able to tell it by this shoddy transfer in which none of the dialogue is even understandable and the picture is dark. A much nicer version is available from Image Entertainment/Wade Williams Collection. Get it.
"Journey to the Center of Time" is a terrible, lifeless, shamefully low budget film in which almost nothing happens. Despite the box's claim that it's "Stimulating, exciting, and great fun!", there is not a speck of entertainment to be had (unless you count Lyle Waggoner's cameo. I didn't). The transfer fares slightly better, but it's still barely watchable.
There are a few extras, too. A Sci-Fi Oscar Winners Index, Sci-Fi Common Themes, Special FX Notes, and Trivia Questions. They're not very good at all, but at least they're reasonably abundant.

Groundbreaking science fiction
This double feature DVD includes one of the best science fiction films, an adaptation of H.G. Wells' story "The Shape of Things to Come." This melodramatic tale, released in 1936, foresees a second World War beginning in 1940 and continuing into the 1970s, devastating the Earth. Eventually, mankind rebuilds, constructing a new and better civilization, culminating in the beginning of space travel in 2036. The film's striking production design, first rate photography, literate, intelligent script, and fine performances (especially by Raymond Massey) make this an essential film for science fiction fans.

Unfortunately this DVD is a low-budget, no-frills disc, made from a smudgy print. The audio has not been cleaned up; it's scratchy and dialogue is not always intelligible. Hopefully a remastered version will be released someday, with perhaps a few extras.

The less said about the second film, "Journey to the Center of Time", the better; it's worthwhile only as an example of how not to make a movie.

This DVD is worth buying for "Things To Come"; at least until a remastered version is available.