Somewhere in Time

Somewhere in Time

Year: 1980

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Jeannot Szwarc

DramaFantasyRomance

A playwright is intrigued by a portrait of a woman he sees at a seaside resort and becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Determined to meet her, he uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time to the late 19th century. There, he encounters the woman from the portrait and falls in love, but his presence begins to disrupt the natural course of events and threatens to erase her from existence. He must confront the challenges of altering the past while fighting for their love.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Somewhere in Time yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Somewhere in Time (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Somewhere in Time (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1972, 1980, Early 20th Century (1912)

The film traverses multiple time periods, primarily focusing on the 1970s and early 20th century. The 1970s depict a time of personal discovery for Richard, while 1912 is characterized by romance and artistic expression. The contrast between these eras illustrates the challenges of love across time.

Location

Grand Hotel, 1912, Denver

The Grand Hotel serves as a pivotal setting in the film, where Richard seeks rejuvenation for his playwright endeavors. It is known for its serene ambiance, making it an ideal locale for reflection and inspiration. The lakeside also plays a crucial role, providing a picturesque backdrop for Richard and Elise's evolving romance.

🏨 Hotel ⏳ Time Travel 🌅 Lakeside

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:55

Main Characters – Somewhere in Time (1980)

Meet the key characters of Somewhere in Time (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve)

Richard is a passionate theater enthusiast whose relentless pursuit of love drives the plot. Initially celebrated for his achievements, he grapples with inspiration and loss. His determination to reconnect with Elise through time travel showcases his depth and unwavering devotion.

🎭 Playwright 💔 Romantic 🔍 Determined

Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour)

Elise is a captivating stage actress embodying grace and mystery. Her connection with Richard transcends time, as seen through their fateful encounters. She represents the ideal of enduring love, whose presence inspires Richard's quest and ultimately shapes their shared fate.

🎭 Actress ⚡ Enigmatic ❤️ Beloved

William Fawcett Robinson

Robinson serves as Elise's manager, initially portrayed as a protector. However, his manipulative nature reveals deeper insecurities and jealousy regarding Richard and Elise's bond, representing the external obstacles that challenge true love.

💼 Manager 🎭 Obstacle 👀 Jealous

Laura Roberts

Laura is Elise's former housekeeper and confidante, acting as a bridge between the past and present. Her role is pivotal in guiding Richard towards understanding his connection with Elise. She embodies the spirit of loyalty and support.

👩‍⚕️ Housekeeper 🤝 Supportive 🗝️ Key to Love

Dr. Gerard Finney

Dr. Finney, Richard’s former professor, is a time travel expert who ignites Richard’s fascination with the concept of traversing time. He represents the voice of reason and guidance, playing a crucial role in Richard's journey of self-discovery.

📚 Professor 🧠 Wise Mentor 🔭 Time Travel

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:55

Major Themes – Somewhere in Time (1980)

Explore the central themes of Somewhere in Time (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love Across Time

The central theme revolves around the enduring nature of love, transcending the barriers of time and mortality. Richard's obsession with Elise fuels his journey through time, highlighting the lengths one might go for love. Their connection symbolizes timeless devotion that ultimately conquers even death.

🔄 Time Travel

Time travel serves as a crucial narrative device, symbolizing the desire to reconnect with lost love. Richard’s journey reflects the complexities and emotional weight of manipulating time, as he battles both internal struggles and external forces to attain his heart's desire.

🏆 Ambition and Sacrifice

Richard's pursuit of success as a playwright juxtaposes his yearning for a deeper connection with Elise. His ambition leads to personal sacrifices, demonstrating how the quest for artistic fulfillment can be intertwined with the pursuit of love.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:55

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Tragic Time-Travel Romance Movies like Somewhere in Time

Stories where love defies time but is ultimately doomed by fate.If you liked the doomed, time-defying love story in Somewhere in Time, explore these movies. This collection features romantic dramas where characters travel through time for love, only to face inevitable tragedy and sorrow, emphasizing the bittersweet price of altering destiny.

tragicyearningfateddoomed romancemelancholicnostalgicphilosophical

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who, driven by an intense longing, journeys through time to find a soulmate. Their love blossoms in the past, but their presence creates a ripple effect that threatens the relationship's existence. The central conflict is the struggle against fate itself, culminating in a sorrowful acceptance of loss.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of romance intertwined with tragic time-travel consequences. They share a melancholic tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the philosophical conflict between fate and free will, resulting in a similarly poignant and saddening viewer experience.

Movies about Obsessive and Doomed Love like Somewhere in Time

Quiet stories of all-consuming love that leads to inevitable sorrow.For viewers who appreciated the yearning and tragic obsession in Somewhere in Time, this section finds similar movies. Discover stories of characters consumed by a fated, impossible love, told with a slow, melancholic pace and culminating in a deeply sad, emotionally resonant conclusion.

obsessivemelancholictragicyearningdreamlikeromanticsorrowfulfated

Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds around a protagonist who becomes fixated on a person, often from a distance or another time. Their quest for connection is the driving force, explored through a reflective pace. The story is less about external action and more about the internal, emotional turmoil of pursuing a love that is beautiful yet fundamentally unattainable, leading to a devastating emotional payoff.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their core focus on obsessive, fated romance that ends in tragedy. They share a slow, reflective pacing, a heavily melancholic tone, and a primary goal of delivering a powerful, sorrowful emotional experience centered on the theme of irretrievable loss.

Unlock the Full Story of Somewhere in Time

Don't stop at just watching — explore Somewhere in Time in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Somewhere in Time is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Somewhere in Time Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Somewhere in Time, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Somewhere in Time Summary

Somewhere in Time Timeline

Track the full timeline of Somewhere in Time with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Somewhere in Time Timeline

Somewhere in Time Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Somewhere in Time that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Somewhere in Time Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Somewhere in Time

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Somewhere in Time: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Somewhere in Time

Similar Movies to Somewhere in Time

Discover movies like Somewhere in Time that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.