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For All Time

For All Time is a romance directed by Steven Schachter, starring as Charles Lattimer, a middle-aged advertising executive facing personal and professional crises who discovers a mysterious that transports him back to , where he falls in love with a young widow named Laura Brown (). It is an adaptation of the 1960 episode "". The film explores themes of love, regret, and the possibility of second chances through , as Lattimer grapples with whether to remain in the past or return to his own era. Co-starring as Lattimer's wife Kristen and as his colleague Al Glasser, the movie blends elements of drama and fantasy in a that contrasts with Victorian-era settings. Produced for by Susan Zachary and others, For All Time premiered on October 18, 2000, and runs for approximately 84 minutes. Upon release, received generally for its heartfelt and strong , particularly Harmon's portrayal of a man torn between two worlds. It holds an 83% approval rating on based on a small number of critic reviews, with praise for its elements and emotional depth. Audience reception has been favorable, evidenced by a 6.9 out of 10 rating on from 1,154 users, many of whom appreciated its uplifting message and avoidance of clichés in the time-travel genre. has since become a cult favorite among fans of light-hearted sci-fi romances, occasionally airing on cable networks and available for streaming.

Development

Concept and inspiration

For All Time originated from the concept of a modern man escaping the pressures of contemporary life through a fantastical journey to the past, directly inspired by Rod Serling's episode "A Stop at Willoughby" from the first season of The Twilight Zone, which aired on May 6, 1960. In the episode, a harried advertising executive named Gart Williams, overwhelmed by his demanding job and strained marriage, falls asleep on a commuter train and dreams of Willoughby, a idyllic 19th-century town filled with brass bands, ice cream vendors, and leisurely pursuits, serving as a poignant allegory for the desire to retreat from urban stress. A key conceptual adaptation in the film transforms the original's dream-like, ultimately tragic fantasy into a literal time-travel via an antique discovered in a mysterious , allowing Charles Lattimer to physically slip between and 1896, where he encounters a world of horse-drawn carriages and simpler social norms. This shift emphasizes romance and potential redemption over mere escapist reverie, with Charles developing a deep emotional connection to a in the past, highlighting themes of transcending eras. The narrative further evolves Serling's exploration of personal dissatisfaction by centering on and marital discord as primary motivations for the ; Charles, a married executive facing professional and a failing , uses the watch to revisit and affection unavailable in his present, underscoring a quest for authentic fulfillment amid modern alienation. David A. Rosemont served as on the project.

Screenwriting

Vivienne Radkoff penned the teleplay for For All Time, adapting Rod Serling's 1960 episode "" into an 84-minute feature-length script that incorporates a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a 19th-century widow, elements not present in the original's dreamlike narrative. The script adheres to a , interweaving modern corporate —depicting the pressures of executive life—with in 1896-era Somerville, . Pivotal scenes feature Charles Lattimer's initial aboard a commuter train, evolving the source material's illusory stop into tangible travel via an antique , and culminate in an emotional confrontation where Lattimer weighs his contemporary dissatisfaction against newfound purpose in the past. Central to the writing is Lattimer's , tracing his transformation from a middle-aged man burdened by marital discord and professional burnout to one embracing sacrifice for authentic connection, a development that amplifies the original episode's themes of and . Radkoff's background in television drama, including teleplays for Her Desperate Choice (1998) and (1996) as well as episodes of series like (1999–2002), shaped the dialogue's equilibrium between reflective introspection on personal fulfillment and propulsive action sequences driving the time-travel plot.

Production

Casting

Mark Harmon was cast as the protagonist Charles Lattimer, leveraging his established everyman appeal and experience in dramatic roles such as his portrayal of Dr. Jack McNeil in the medical series (1996–2000), which aligned well with the character's midlife crisis narrative. Mary McDonnell was selected for the role of Laura Brown, drawing on her proven ability to embody strength and vulnerability, as seen in her performance as First Lady Marilyn Whitmore in the 1996 blockbuster . Catherine Hicks portrayed Kristen, Charles's wife, a choice that emphasized the film's marital tensions through her established television presence and relatable family-oriented roles, notably as Annie Camden in the long-running series 7th Heaven (1996–2007). Supporting roles featured seasoned character actors to enhance depth and tone; played Al Glasser, infusing comedic relief with his versatile dramatic background from miniseries like North and South (1985–1994), while took on the dual parts of the Proprietor and , bringing historical authenticity informed by his extensive work in period and character-driven films such as (1984).

Filming

Principal photography for For All Time took place primarily in , , , which served as a stand-in for both contemporary 2000-era settings and the town of Willoughby due to its cost-effective facilities for period recreations. Principal photography occurred in early 2000, utilizing 's Heritage Park for historical scenes to evoke the late 19th-century atmosphere and modern studios for the present-day sequences. The film was produced by Susan Zachary, with David A. Rosemont as .

Plot

2000 storyline

In 2000, the storyline introduces Charles Lattimer, a middle-aged advertising executive grappling with the pressures of his high-stress career in a fast-paced corporate environment. His professional life is marked by demanding client presentations and a sense of , underscoring his dissatisfaction with contemporary . At home, Charles's marriage to his ambitious wife, Kristen, is deteriorating, as her focus on success clashes with his yearning for a simpler pace, further isolating him emotionally. To cope, Charles immerses himself in building elaborate model railroads in the basement, a hobby that serves as his primary escape from the chaos of daily life. This routine is disrupted when he purchases a beautiful antique at an , an item engraved with a motif that unknowingly holds the key to extraordinary events. During a routine commuter ride to work, as the passes through a , the watch activates a , plunging Charles into a vivid illusion of the that blurs the boundaries between eras. Throughout these initial episodes, confides in his colleague and best friend, Al Glasser, about the disorienting visions, revealing the of their cutthroat advertising world and amplifying Charles's growing personal discontent. Al's skepticism, much like Kristen's, heightens Charles's , as he questions his amid recurring glimpses of the past. The tension builds across multiple partial slips, culminating in the first full transition, after which Charles returns to the present profoundly disoriented, struggling to reconcile his modern reality with the allure of what he has glimpsed.

1896 storyline

In 1896, Charles Lattimer arrives in the idyllic town of Somerville via a activated by an antique during his through a . There, he encounters Brown, a widowed editor, and her young daughter . The storyline explores Charles's growing romance with amid the slower-paced, community-oriented life of late-19th-century , where he grapples with concealing his future origins while being drawn to the era's simplicity and her companionship. Social norms of the time, including expectations around class and gender roles, heighten the challenges of his integration, contrasting sharply with his modern dissatisfaction. Conflicts escalate with the precarious nature of the time portal, linked to the train and watch, which threatens to sever his connection to 1896 permanently. The narrative culminates in an emotional climax as the portal begins to close, forcing Charles to bid a heartfelt farewell to Laura and Mary in a moment of sacrifice; he chooses to return to 2000, carrying forward personal growth that reshapes his perspective on life and relationships.

Cast

Lead actors

Mark Harmon stars as Charles Lattimer, the film's protagonist, a modern-day who experiences a profound personal crisis leading to unexpected temporal displacement. Born on September 2, 1951, Harmon was 49 years old during the 2000 production, an age that aligned well with the character's midlife themes of reflection and change. His earlier television prominence came from portraying Dr. Robert Caldwell on the St. Elsewhere from 1983 to 1986, after which he transitioned to feature films including The Presidio (1988) and (1988). Mary McDonnell plays Laura Brown, the love interest encountered in the 1896 storyline, a widow whose resilience and intelligence draw the protagonist into a transformative romance. McDonnell, known for her nuanced performances, earned a 2002 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Eleanor Carter on ER. This recognition highlighted her ability to infuse emotional depth into complex characters, a quality evident in her portrayal of the period-era Laura. Catherine Hicks portrays Kristen Lattimer, Charles's wife, whose supportive yet strained modern-day relationship underscores the story's emotional core. Hicks gained sci-fi prominence with her role as Dr. Gillian Taylor in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and she brought extensive television drama experience from series like Ryan's Hope (1976–1978) and her long-running lead as Annie Camden on 7th Heaven (1996–2007).

Supporting actors

Philip Casnoff portrayed Al Glasser, the colleague of protagonist Charles Lattimer in the 2000 storyline. Casnoff, born in Philadelphia and active since the 1970s, brought his extensive Broadway experience to the role, having performed in notable productions such as the national touring production of Godspell (understudying key roles) and revivals of Chicago. Bill Cobbs played the dual role of the Proprietor and Conductor (often referred to as the ), a character whose presence helps connect the film's modern and 1896 narratives. A veteran with over 150 credits spanning four decades, Cobbs was known for his supporting turn as music manager Bill Devaney in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, opposite and . Cobbs died on June 25, 2024, at the age of 90. Brittany Tiplady appeared as Mary, the young daughter of Laura Brown, infusing the family dynamics with a sense of youthful innocence in the 1896 scenes. At the time of filming, the nine-year-old Tiplady was an established child performer, best recognized for her recurring role as Jordan Black, the daughter of lead characters Frank and Catherine Black, across 39 episodes of the television series (1996–1999), including a crossover appearance in the X-Files episode "Millennium." David LeReaney was cast as Dr. Wallace, the physician attending to characters in the 1896 historical storyline. A -based and dialect coach since 1979, LeReaney's selection aligned with the production's filming in , where local talent contributed to the period authenticity at locations like the CL Ranch near .

Release

Television premiere

"For All Time" premiered on the network on October 18, 2000, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, occupying a two-hour primetime slot as a made-for-television movie produced by Rosemont Productions Limited. The film ran for 84 minutes and received a TV-PG due to mild . Aired during the fall television season, it was positioned as event programming for family audiences, blending with dramatic elements, though its scheduling faced potential disruptions from ongoing playoffs. The premiere drew approximately 9.6 million viewers and achieved a 7.1 in the Nielsen household ratings.

DVD release

The DVD release of For All Time was first issued in 2015 by in a manufactured-on-demand () format, targeted for Region 1 markets with a full-screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The disc presents the unedited 84-minute feature length of the original television production, without additional extras such as , deleted scenes, or featurettes. This edition maintained the TV-PG rating assigned to the broadcast version. Physical copies became available primarily through online retailers, with sales on platforms like and typically priced between $10 and $15 as of the mid-2010s. While not officially streamed on Paramount+ as of 2024, the film has appeared on unofficial platforms such as , where full versions are accessible without cost. A subsequent re-release occurred in 2016, featuring minor updates to packaging but retaining the same core content, format specifications, and absence of bonus materials. This edition continued to emphasize the film's accessibility for home viewing, aligning with CBS's strategy for archiving older television properties.

Reception

Reviews

Upon its release, For All Time received mixed to positive responses from critics and audiences, with praise centered on the performances and emotional resonance, tempered by critiques of its formulaic narrative and superficial handling of historical elements. In a 2000 review, Variety described the film as a "time travel romance that's completely competent but uninspired," noting that it adds nothing new to a dull genre while proceeding from one cliché to another. The publication praised the chemistry between leads Mark Harmon and Mary McDonnell, with Harmon effectively portraying confusion and vulnerability, and McDonnell conveying a tough yet traditional demeanor without descending into silliness; supporting performances by Catherine Hicks and Philip Casnoff were also deemed fine. However, it criticized the lack of depth in the historical portrayal, including no real effort to challenge the protagonist's naive view of 19th-century life and a particularly forced woman-in-jeopardy sequence in the final act. Audience reception has been generally favorable, emphasizing the film's heartfelt romance and effective time-travel mechanics. On , the movie holds a 6.9/10 rating based on over 1,100 user votes, with many fans lauding the strong acting—particularly McDonnell's understated yet moving performance—and the logical execution of its time-travel premise, evoking a nostalgic vibe as the story draws from a episode. Similarly, reports an 83% audience score from over 50 ratings, where viewers highlight its emotional impact as a relaxing fantasy about true love, though some note the predictable plot. Common praises across user reviews include the solid and values, which create an immersive, quiet tale of second chances and bygone romance suitable for hopeless . Criticisms frequently point to a formulaic ending and underdeveloped depiction of the world, such as anachronistic dialogue that undermines historical authenticity, alongside a lack of originality that leaves the story feeling superficial. Overall, the film is appreciated for its competent entertainment value but faulted for not transcending genre conventions.

Awards

For All Time was nominated for two Golden Reel Awards in 2001. These included Best Sound Editing in Television - Music, Effects & Foley (long form), recognizing the contributions of music editors Bob Beecher and Chris Ledesma, and Best Sound Editing in Television - Dialogue & (long form), honoring supervising sound editor Mark Friedgen, supervising ADR editor Kristi Johns, and the sound editing team of Bill Bell, Bob Costanza, Mike Dickeson, Anton Holden, and Michael Ryan. The film did not secure any wins, but the nominations underscored the quality of its technical audio work, particularly in handling time-slip transitions and period ambiance. No other major awards or festival entries were recorded for For All Time, consistent with its made-for-television status.

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