Is it too slow for a kid used to modern action movies?

Surprisingly, no. It skips through different time periods quickly in the first act. The middle section with the Eloi slows down for some dialogue, but the Morlock conflict in the final act picks the pace right back up.

How scary are the Morlocks?

They are classic 'creepy' monsters. They have glowing eyes and look like blue, hairy apes. There's no gore, but the idea of them living underground and 'harvesting' people is a bit dark if you overthink it.

Is the 2002 remake better for kids?

Not really. The 2002 version is more violent and much louder, but it loses the charm and clear storytelling of the 1960 original. The 1960 version is the one that sticks in the memory.

What's the 'talking rings' thing about?

In the future, the Eloi have 'talking rings' that act like spinning audio records to tell history. It's a great moment to talk to kids about how people used to store information before the cloud or hard drives.

The Time Machine – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Time Machine

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1960

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Victorian inventor skips through world wars in a brass sled only to find the future belongs to blue monsters and very bored blondes.

7.5/10

77%

80%

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The Time Machine

movie

G, 1960

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Victorian inventor skips through world wars in a brass sled only to find the future belongs to blue monsters and very bored blondes.

7.5

77%

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7.5/10

77%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the 1960 George Pal version, and it’s still the definitive take on the H.G. Wells story. While the effects are obviously dated, the movie has more soul than the 2002 remake. It’s a great pick for a kid who’s starting to get curious about sci-fi but isn't ready for the heavy, grim stuff.

It avoids the 'boring classic' trap by moving quickly through George’s stops in 1917, 1940, and 1966 before landing in the year 802,701. It’s smart, visually distinct, and a solid way to spend a Saturday afternoon together.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7 and up. The pacing is surprisingly brisk for a 1960s film, though the Morlocks are just scary enough that sensitive younger kids might need a lap to sit on.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The protagonist, George, is a classic man of science and morals who values peace and knowledge. It avoids modern cynicism, though it does depict the aftermath of war.

Imaginative

The practical effects, specifically the time-lapse sequences and the iconic 'brass sled' machine design, remain a high-water mark for mid-century sci-fi creativity.

Safe

The Morlocks are creepy with their glowing eyes and blue skin, but the violence is bloodless and theatrical. No language or sexual content issues.

Enriching

It's a perfect entry point for discussing evolution, social class, and how technology impacts human development. A great bridge to the H.G. Wells source material.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The time-lapse photography used to show the passage of years is still charming and effective today.
George Pal’s practical creature design for the Morlocks provides a genuine 'creepy' factor without being gory.
It provides a gentle introduction to social satire, showing how a society of leisure (the Eloi) can become helpless.
The movie serves as a steampunk visual feast, especially the machine itself with its spinning brass dish.

⚠

What to Watch For

The Morlocks live in dark caves and have glowing eyes; they might be 'under the bed' fuel for kids under 7.
The 1960s 'future' fashion and some of the gender dynamics are definitely relics of their time.
There is a brief sequence depicting a nuclear strike (the 'future' of 1966) that might spark questions about war.

Conversation Starters

"If you could travel to any year in the past or future, where would you go and why?"
"Why did the Eloi stop caring about learning or building things?"
"How do the Morlocks represent the 'dark side' of human technology and labor?"
"If you were George, would you have stayed in the future or returned to 1900?"

Deep Dive

The Practical Magic of 1960

Modern kids are so used to CGI that seeing the practical ingenuity of 1960s filmmaking can be a revelation. The scene where George watches a mannequin’s dress change styles as the decades fly by is a perfect example of how the movie uses simple tricks to sell a massive concept. It’s a great way to talk about how movies are made without the 'green screen' safety net.

A Bridge to the Book

H.G. Wells’ original novella is a bit bleaker and more focused on the death of the sun, but this movie keeps the core social commentary intact. It presents the Eloi as a warning about what happens when a society becomes entirely passive. If your kid likes the movie, the book is a short, easy read that adds a lot of depth to the 'two species' theory of human evolution.

The Scare Factor

Let's be real: the Morlocks are creepy. They’re blue, hairy, and they ring a dinner bell to herd humans into caves. For a kid raised on high-def horror, they might look like guys in suits, but for a 7-year-old, the glowing eyes in the dark are effective. It’s a 'safe' kind of scary—there's no blood, and George handles them with a torch and some classic heroics.