Retro Review: The Time Tunnel (Blu Ray Box Set)

Two scientists with a secret time travel project find themselves trapped in the time stream and appearing in notable periods of history.
by October 29, 2018

Synopsis: From the creative genius of Irwin Allen comes one of the most popular and original sci-fi shows of the 1960s, starring James Darren and Robert Colbert! “The control of time is potentially the most valuable treasure that man will ever find.” Or so believe the scientists of Project Tic Toc.

Located beneath the Arizona desert, the ten-year project’s focus is the feasibility of time travel. But when the government reconsiders the project, the scientists have only 24 hours to prove their untested ‘Time Tunnel’ will actually work. Determined to save the project, Dr. Tony Newman and Dr. Doug Phillips go through the tunnel – and quickly find themselves catapulted from one historical event to another, barely escaping with their lives as their colleagues back in Arizona race to figure out a way to bring them back home.
This stunning new release of The Time Tunnel is produced from HD digital restoration masters created from the original negatives to ensure the best visual experience available. The seven-disc collector’s Blu-ray edition comes packed with special features and a brand new 5.1 surround sound mix, alongside the original mono audio.

Review: Due for release on 5th November is this stunningly restored collection of episodes from the first and only season of ‘The Time Tunnel’, which was one of several series to come from the creative mind of Irwin Allen during the 1960’s.

TIME TUNNEL [US TV SERIES 1966 – 1967]
JAMES DARREN

Made in 1966 and repeated often over the decades. This show was one of the earliest American TV shows to deal with Time Travel. The show starred James Darren, who back then was more known for his singing talent than for his acting. Co-starring alongside the crooner was Robert Colbert, who played the lead scientist on operation Tic Toc.

The series went to 30 episodes, which was an average season back in the 1960’s.

The Stories

We only received two preview disks for this set. So I’ll reel off some of the highlights of the series for you guys.

The pilot episode sees the team travel to the doomed Titanic where they dramatically try to prevent the ship from sinking but move on fairly quickly. Perhaps among the best episodes are ‘End Of The World’, which sees the time travelers go back to 1910 where a small town is mistaking the sighting of Halley’s Comet has the townsfolk and an entire mining crew thinking its the end of the world.

Other stories saw the team going back to witness events 1 day before pearl harbor and they even traveled to what was back then the future.

The Acting

TIME TUNNEL [US TV SERIES 1966 – 1967]
LEE MERIWETHER

The acting from James Darren and Robert Colbert was fairly solid throughout the series. We also get to see Lee Meriwether in the role of Dr. Ann MacGregor. One of the main scientists who is working hard to retrieve the two-time travelers.

Extras

This set is packed with extra features that will make science fiction television fans smile. These extras are as follows:

• Original Unaired Pilot Episode (HD Version)
• 2002 Unaired TV Pilot
• Time Travellers TV Movie
• Cast Interviews
• Irwin Allen’s Behind-The-Scenes Home Movies – UK Edit (No Audio)
• Promotional TV & Radio Spots
• Visual Effects
• Camera Test (No Audio)
• Stills Galleries
• New 5.1 surround sound mix and original mono audio

Overall

This is a pretty decent set and one that is well worth owning if you are like me a fan of some of the old Irwin Allen television shows. The transfer onto HD is really nice. Picture quality considering the show was not made in HD is pretty crisp.

The set will be released and available through all good stores and online retailers from 5th November 2018. It would make for an awesome Christmas gift.

8.2
The Time Tunnel (Blu Ray Box Set)
  • Stories
    8.5
  • Acting
    9.0
  • Visual Effects
    7.5
  • Incidental Music
    7.0
  • Extras
    9.0
  • Artwork
    8.0
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by Raissa Devereux - Oct 29, 2018

by Marx Pyle - Oct 29, 2018

Ian Cullen is the founder of scifipulse.net and has been a fan of science fiction and fantasy from birth. In the past few years he has written for 'Star Trek' Magazine as well as interviewed numerous comics writers, television producers and actors for the SFP-NOW podcast at: www.scifipulseradio.com When he is not writing for scifipulse.net Ian enjoys playing his guitar, studying music, watching movies and reading his comics. Ian is both the founder and owner of scifipulse.net You can contact ian at: ian@scifipulse.net
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