This is How Movies Should Be Made

So much average

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This made-for-television movie is based on the excellent Twilight Zone episode "A Stop At Willoughby". TZ's creator Rod Serling has stated publicly that it was his favourite episode of the entire series. The remake "For All Time", also written by Rod Serling, stars Mark Harmon & Mary McDonnell both of whom are excellent. Charles Lattimer (Harmon), who has marriage problems & is under stress at work, dreams whilst travelling on a train of a town in the late 19th century. Here is free from worries & meets Laura Brown (McDonnell). She is a gentle & charming woman & Mr. Lattimer soon finds himself falling in love with her. After returning to his own time the situation with his wife (Catherine Hicks) worsens to the point where he is desperate to return to his new love Laura. His pocket-watch, which was his time portal, breaks down complicating his wish to go back in time to be her for good. This is a very entertaining & utterly charming love story & I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it. If anything, it is better than the original TZ episode & unlike its predecessor has a happy ending. Why is it not yet available on DVD?.

Like most other reviewers, I saw this film when originally broadcast and never forgot it. As a fan of Twilight Zone I fondly remembered "Willoughby" and immediately recognized the connection. However, I was not prepared for how sweet, romantic and wonderful For All Time was. As a railfan the train motif was a real plus. And as with others I occasionally would check if the film was available on video. Well, the other night I checked the reviews again and then went hunting. Turns out the film is current available (6/1/13) on YouTube. The quality isn't great but at least it's there. Better hurry to see it in case it's taken down.

This is a vintage Rod Sterling production, which originally was done as the thirtieth show of "The Twilight Zone" in 1960. The main character takes a train to work and after going through a tunnel is transported back 100 years. This is mysterious, but after transferring back and forth several times, he meets a lovely young woman from the 1890's and falls in love with her. But he already has a wife. Then he realizes it will be another 70 years or so before she is born. What does he do? Stay with the new sweetheart who lives in the uncomplicated 1890's, or go back to the faultfinding complainer of the 1990s? The train conductor tells him he's got to make a choice and stick with it. The special thing about this movie is that men will automatically identify with one of the male leads, and women will see a little of themselves in both the wife and sweetheart. I've seen the updated version (Mark Harmon and Morgan Freeman) twice, and would very much like to get a copy for myself. As an aside, my wife recently purchased the British movie "Love Actually" and likes it so much that she's watched it 6 or 7 times. I may do the same thing with "A Stop at Willoughby."

Why have I never heard of this movie before? I saw it last night and it was absolutely terrific! I only regret I didn't videotape it. I definitely will next time. This is a movie I'll want to see again and again.