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THE TIME MACHINE poster

Screenplay data

THE TIME MACHINE script

The Time Traveller, an inventor, demonstrates his time machine to his friends in 1899, then embarks on a journey through the 20th century, witnessing two world wars and an atomic war that reshapes the Earth. He arrives in the year 802,701, where he discovers humanity has evolved into two distinct species: the surface-dwelling, childlike Eloi, and the subterranean, cannibalistic Morlocks who prey on them. The Time Traveller befriends an Eloi woman named Weena and learns about the Morlocks' control over the Eloi through a siren that lures them to their doom. After rescuing Weena from the siren's call and destroying Morlock wells, the Time Traveller is forced to leave Weena behind when the Morlocks trap him in his machine, and he returns to 1899.

Writer
DAVID DUNCAN
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0054387
132Scenes
11Characters
3Pages
1Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

THE TIME MACHINE Save the Cat analysis

The Time Traveller demonstrates his invention and embarks on a journey that advances through peaceful future landscapes into the darkness of Morlock-infested depths.

Open full beat sheet
30

Key characters

The Time Traveller

The Time Traveller is listed as Protagonist. An inventor who builds a machine to travel through time. In the parsed data, The Time Traveller is connected to 65 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

65 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

James Filby

James Filby is listed as Supporting. David Filby's son, encountered in 1917 and 1966. In the parsed data, James Filby is connected to 27 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.

27 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

David Filby

David Filby is listed as Friend. An amiable young man of science. In the parsed data, David Filby is connected to 24 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

24 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, UNKNOWN is connected to 16 scenes, 180 dialogue lines, first appearing around scene 1.

16 scenes / 180 dialogue lines

Dr. Philip Hillyer

Dr. Philip Hillyer is listed as Friend. An imposing businessman with sideburns. In the parsed data, Dr. Philip Hillyer is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

8 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Anthony Bridewell

Anthony Bridewell is listed as Friend. A man of the world, impeccably attired. In the parsed data, Anthony Bridewell is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

7 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

char_9

char_9 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_9 is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 32.

7 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Mrs. Watchett

Mrs. Watchett is listed as Housekeeper. A thin, tense woman with iron gray hair. In the parsed data, Mrs. Watchett is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

7 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Walter Kemp

Walter Kemp is listed as Friend. A middle-aged man with keen black piercing eyes. In the parsed data, Walter Kemp is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

6 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

char_10

char_10 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_10 is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 32.

5 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Weena

Weena is listed as Eloi. A beautiful young woman from the year 802,701. In the parsed data, Weena is connected to 2 scenes, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.

2 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. EXT. COTTAGE

    A figure arrives at the cottage to meet the Time Traveller.

    David Filby, Dr. Philip Hillyer

  2. 1. EXT. TREE IN GARDEN

    Time passes rapidly in the garden as seasons cycle and the tree grows, with the Time Traveller narrating the passage of time.

    The Time Traveller

  3. 2. INT. LIBRARY

    The guests await the Time Traveller's arrival.

    David Filby, Anthony Bridewell, Walter Kemp, Mrs. Watchett

  4. 2. INT. LABORATORY

    The Time Traveller stops in 1917 and observes his decaying lab.

    The Time Traveller

  5. 3. INT. DINING ROOM

    The guests dine while awaiting the host, eventually interrupted by his return.

    The Time Traveller, David Filby, Dr. Philip Hillyer, Anthony Bridewell, Walter Kemp, Mrs. Watchett

  6. 3. INT. LIBRARY

    The Time Traveller navigates his dusty, cobweb-filled library.

    The Time Traveller

  7. 4. INT. LIBRARY

    The Time Traveller demonstrates his invention.

    The Time Traveller, David Filby, Anthony Bridewell, Walter Kemp, Mrs. Watchett

  8. 4. EXT. COTTAGE

    The Time Traveller exits the house to find the world overgrown with vines.

    The Time Traveller

  9. 5. INT. LABORATORY

    The Time Traveller prepares to depart in his machine.

    The Time Traveller

  10. 5. EXT. ROAD

    The Time Traveller meets James Filby, David Filby's son.

    The Time Traveller, Weena

  11. 6. INT. LABORATORY

    The Time Traveller resumes his journey forward.

    The Time Traveller

  12. 7. EXT. STREET

    The Time Traveller pauses in the 1920s.

    The Time Traveller

  13. 8. EXT. STREET / LABORATORY

    The Time Traveller witnesses an air raid during the second war.

    The Time Traveller

  14. 9. EXT. STREET

    The Time Traveller arrives in 1966 amid air raid sirens.

    The Time Traveller, Weena

  15. 10. EXT. STREET

    Atomic war breaks out and the earth ruptures.

    The Time Traveller

  16. 11. TIME MACHINE

    The Time Traveller waits in darkness as eons pass.

    The Time Traveller

  17. 21. EXT. TIME MACHINE AND GROUND NEARBY

    The Time Machine emerges above ground as the surroundings stop blurring.

    The Time Traveller

  18. 22. EXT. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller celebrates his freedom.

    The Time Traveller

  19. 23. INDISTINCT COUNTRYSIDE

    The Time Traveller observes the green, peaceful future landscape.

    The Time Traveller

  20. 24. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller stops the machine, which crashes and spins.

    The Time Traveller

  21. 25. EXT. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller regains consciousness after the crash.

    The Time Traveller

  22. 26. EXT. THE SPHINX

    The Time Traveller observes the Sphinx monument.

    The Time Traveller

  23. 27. THE TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller collects his gear and surveys the area.

    The Time Traveller

  24. 28. LANDSCAPE

    The Time Traveller observes an untended garden and a ruined temple.

    The Time Traveller

  25. 29. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller heads towards a distant building.

    The Time Traveller

  26. 30. WHAT HE SEES

    The Time Traveller notes the bounty of nature.

    The Time Traveller

  27. 31. VARIETY OF FLOWERS

    The Time Traveller observes the flowers.

    The Time Traveller

  28. 31. EXT. ENTRANCE TO THE GREAT BUILDING

    The Time Traveller sits on the steps feeling alienated by the Eloi's indifference, then meets Weena.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  29. 32. EXT. ENTRANCE TO GREAT BUILDING

    The Time Traveller approaches the entrance.

    The Time Traveller

  30. 32. INT. THE GREAT HALL

    The Time Traveller tries to engage the Eloi in conversation and discovers the truth about their civilization.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby, char_9, char_10

  31. 33. ACROSS FACADE

    The Time Traveller evaluates the structural state of the building.

    The Time Traveller

  32. 33. AT THE WALL

    The Time Traveller discovers the remains of a library and confronts the Eloi.

    The Time Traveller, char_9

  33. 34. INT. ENTRANCE

    The Time Traveller enters the building.

    The Time Traveller

  34. 34. EXT. ENTRANCE

    The Time Traveller decides to leave but is observed by Weena.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  35. 35. INT. THE GREAT HALL

    The Time Traveller finds food but no people.

    The Time Traveller

  36. 35. EXT. FOREST / THE LAWN

    The Time Traveller discovers his Time Machine is missing and searches for it.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  37. 36. A TABLE

    The Time Traveller attempts to contact others.

    The Time Traveller

  38. 36. EXT. WELL

    The Time Traveller investigates a well and learns of the Morlocks.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  39. 37. EXT. LANDSCAPE

    The Time Traveller begins a search of the grounds.

    The Time Traveller

  40. 37. INT. GREEN MUSEUM

    The Time Traveller learns the history of the Eloi and Morlocks through ancient recordings.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  41. 38. SERIES OF SHOTS

    Increasing apprehension as he finds no one.

    The Time Traveller

  42. 39. EXT. WOODED AREA

    The Time Traveller enters the forest.

    The Time Traveller

  43. 40. SERIES OF SHOTS

    He hears human noise.

    The Time Traveller

  44. 41. EXT. THE POOL

    He sees the Eloi people.

    The Time Traveller

  45. 41. EXT. LANDSCAPE

    The Time Traveller prepares to descend into a well; Weena attempts to stop him.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  46. 42. ANOTHER, CLOSER SHOT

    A girl enters the water.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  47. 42. AT MOUTH OF WELL

    The Time Traveller prepares for the descent while Weena bids him farewell.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  48. 43. CLOSE ON TIME TRAVELLER

    He observes them, comforted.

    The Time Traveller

  49. 43. FROM THROAT OF WELL

    A siren sounds, and Weena reacts with growing fear.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  50. 44. GROUP SHOT

    He continues to observe the Eloi.

    The Time Traveller

  51. 44. CLOSE ON WEENA

    Weena reacts to the dissonant sirens.

    James Filby

  52. 45. BACK TO TIME TRAVELLER

    He questions why life shouldn't be easy.

    The Time Traveller

  53. 45. BACK WITH TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller pauses in his descent, concerned.

    The Time Traveller

  54. 46. THE POOL

    Weena is swept away by the current.

    James Filby

  55. 46. BACK TO WEENA

    Weena enters a trance-like state and begins to walk toward the siren.

    James Filby

  56. 47. CLOSE ON GIRL

    Weena struggles near a rock.

    James Filby

  57. 47. REVERSE SHOT

    Weena walks away as the Time Traveller emerges from the well.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  58. 48. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller tries to alert others.

    The Time Traveller

  59. 48. CLOSE ON TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller realizes Weena is gone.

    The Time Traveller

  60. 49. BACK TO THE GIRL

    Weena starts to lose her grip.

    James Filby

  61. 49. WEENA

    Weena marches toward the source of the sirens.

    James Filby

  62. 50. TIME TRAVELLER

    He rescues Weena.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  63. 50. TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller watches the sirens' effect.

    The Time Traveller

  64. 51. GIRL

    Weena reacts to the rescue.

    James Filby

  65. 51. EXT. EDGE OF FOREST

    Eloi emerge from the forest in a trance.

  66. 51. EXT. LANDSCAPE

    Morlock wells are destroyed by fire and smoke.

  67. 52. TIME TRAVELLER

    He puzzles over the reaction.

    The Time Traveller

  68. 52. CLOSE ON TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller continues his search.

    The Time Traveller

  69. 52. A WELL

    A miniature well crashes.

  70. 53. CLOSE TWO SHOT

    The other men offer smiles.

    char_9, char_10

  71. 53. VARIOUS GROUPS OF ELOI

    Groups of Eloi converge.

  72. 53. EXT. ENTRANCE TO GREAT BUILDING

    The Eloi witness the destruction of the Morlock world.

    char_10

  73. 54. TIME TRAVELLER & GIRL

    He covers her with his jacket.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  74. 54. EXT. THE BLAZING FOREST

    Forest fire and subterranean rumbling.

  75. 55. TIME TRAVELLER & GIRL

    Weena walks away without speaking.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  76. 55. WEENA AMONG ELOI

    Weena follows the siren command.

    James Filby

  77. 55. WEENA AND THE TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller and Weena seek safety.

    The Time Traveller, James Filby

  78. 56. CLOSE ON TIME TRAVELLER

    He is left in confusion.

    The Time Traveller

  79. 56. BACK ON TIME TRAVELLER

    The Time Traveller observes with apprehension.

    The Time Traveller

  80. 56. EXT. LANDSCAPE

    Earthquakes destroy the surface landscape.

Dialogue examples

See the imprint? This is where the Time Machine originally stood. But the Morlocks moved it. They dragged it across the lawn right into the sphinx...right here. And Weena was standing there when he last saw her...the same space - in a different time. - So he moved back his heavy Machine from here, across the room, scratching this floor... So that he can appear outside the sphinx again and help the Eloi build a new world...and build a new world of his own.

UNKNOWN / Scene 1

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