For All Time (2000)

This made-for-television movie was based on the Twilight Zone episode "A Stop At Willoughby" which creator Rod Serling has admitted was his favourite. It stars Mark Harmon & Mary McDonnell as the two central characters, both of whom are excellent. Charles Lattimer (Harmon) is unhappy with both his job & his marriage and dreams of something better whilst travelling on board the train home from work. After finding an old pocket watch he gets transported back to a small town in 1896 where he meets Laura Brown (McDonnell). An independent newspaper printer by trade, she is a gentle & charming woman whom he soon falls in love with. What follows is utterly captivating & more entertaining, in my opinion, than the original. As other people commenting on this have said, (to whom it may concern), PLEASE MAKE IT AVAILABLE ON DVD!!!.

This is a gem of a movie of the week from CBS in 2000. Although it resembles "Somewhere in Time" in several aspects, it is based on a 1960's "Twilight Zone" episode, written by Rod Serling, titled "A Stop at Willoughby." Much better ending than the 1960 Twilight Zone episode. A middle-aged man (Mark Harmon) time travels back to 1896 via a magical railroad pocket watch and a mysterious train conductor. (Bill Cobbs). He falls in love there with the small town newspaperwoman (Mary McDonnell) and eventually makes the decision to leave his present pointless life and career. He "invents" newspaper comic strips. He must return there one last time to save his true love from dying a sudden death in a gas-line explosion. Unlike "Somewhere in Time" (and "A Stop at Willoughby") he does not die! Changing the ending makes all the difference. He stays in 1896 and marries the woman! I have been looking for it on DVD since 2006! I only have it on an old VHS tape with commercials! The CBS online store does not offer it. Only available on-line as an unauthorized DVD-R.

The reason I called this by the above name is that Mr. Matheson was a major writer for the Twilight Zone, and is also well-credited with writing a time-travel story of his own, "Bid Time Return". Some of you may know this story better by its Hollywood nom de voyage, "Somewhere In Time".Speaking of that other movie, in 2000, when this movie was released to the viewing public, it was one week prior to SIT's 20th anniversary Re-release on DVD. While some other networks rushed through production their own story that matched the general theme of SIT, this Canadian-filmed release seems to at least incorporate the main points of the established film. There was a watch, a choice, and a love story. Since SIT was set at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, the railroad connection was a bit of a reach, as The Grand Hotel was originally a railroad hotel.All in all, this movie was an excellent production, due in no small part to the ability of its main characters to work within the framework of the script. Mark Harmon's moment of indecision on his last train trip does not come across a man who is lost, but a man who is taking stock of what is most important. the same can be said for Ms. McDonnell's performance in the film, as her embodiment of a woman of the time is well played.All in all, A good film to watch when you can.

"For All Time". . .An absolutely refreshing and entertaining film. Delighted to have this type of fascinating story on the screen in my home. I frequently enjoy watching it again after fortunately having recorded it. It is a prized and valued video. The music, the settings, the intrigue (without any violence, IMAGINE???) Each time I watch it, I realize I have a warm smile feeling from beginning to end. I suppose I sincerely fantasize right into the im???possible plot.Yes, I agree with some others. This story, or certainly one of it's plot, manner, content, humor and romance (again, without violence)is so very refreshing. It would be exciting for me, anyway, to look forward to similar programming in the near future. Please continue, all those responsible, to make this valuable type of evocative, romantic and almost sublimely comedic entertainment. It is such fun to smile and just plain feel good after watching this Time Travel adventure.