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Michael Paré, Nancy Allen, Eric Christmas, Bobby Di Cicco, Kene Holliday ... see more see more... , Louise Latham , Vaughn Armstrong , Ed Bakey , Jay Bernard , Gary Brockette , Vivian Brown , Pamela Brull , Michael Currie , Joe Dorsey , Tony Farrell , Stephanie Faulkner , Linda Francis , Richard Jewkes , Ralph Manza , Miles McNamara , Glenn Morshower , Michael Ruud , Bill Smille , Charles H. Bisharat , Gilbert Girion , Stephen Tobolowsky , Rudy Daniels , Patrick de Santis , Cate Praggastis , Don Dolan , James Edgcomb , Debra Troyer , Clayton Wilcox , Joe Moore , Charles Hall

This science fiction thriller was inspired by a mythical real-life event, the WWII era disappearance of an entire naval vessel during a radar-cloaking test. In 1943, David Herdeg Michael Pare and Jim ... read more read more...Parker Bobby DiCicco are sailors stationed aboard a Virginia battleship. Their vessel is undergoing an experiment conducted by brilliant scientist Dr. Longstreeet (Eric Christmas), who is attempting to render Allied craft invisible to radar. The ship becomes briefly invisible, but the test is a disaster and most of the crew are horribly killed. However, two crewmen are missing. In 1984, Herdeg and Parker emerge in the Nevada desert, having somehow traveled through time. Longstreet, still trying to perfect the device after 40 years, is running another experiment that pulls the missing sailors into the present. Realizing what's occurred, Herdeg and Parker flee, fearing for their lives. Fugitives, they befriend a skeptical modern woman, Alison Hayes (Nancy Allen). An effect of time pulls Parker back into 1943, leading to a bizarre reunion between Herdeg, still trapped in the future, and Parker, now a senior citizen. The film was followed by a sequel nine years later. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

47% liked it

6,917 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

10 critics

PG, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Stewart Raffill

Release Date: August 3, 1984

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

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Stats: 227 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (227)

  • phubbs1
    August 3, 2011
    phubbs1
    Highly enjoyable adventure which is supposedly based on the real events of 1943 involving the USS Eldridge, of course there is no evidence to support the stories but the spooky possibility of it all is still fun to think about and actually adds to the films enjoyment.

    Yes it loo... read moreks pretty kooky now with lots of errors and dodgy effects but like many old films that's part of the fun, actually the effects for the time vortex aren't too bad and the shots of the vortex hole in the sky with lots of swirling cloud around it are quite good still.

    The acting is very basic and hokey with chief of cheese Mr Pare and one of the Queens of the 80's Nancy Allen both in a very soppy love plot, lots of military types running around being ordered by lots of scientist types haha its all very cute.

    Its really the perfect boys own adventure with a love interest, daring heroism, mystery and a happy ending which can't fail to make you smile..it will also make you wanna jump through time vortexes too hehe.
  • garyX
    March 3, 2007
    garyX
    Time travel story that's strangely devoid of the usual humour and charm that's associated with this kind of thing. Dull and rather pointless; the similar The Final Countdown is far better.
  • deano
    December 4, 2006
    deano
    Wildly implausible sci-fi tale - good action, romance and, of course, fun.
  • randallangela1
    October 21, 2009
    randallangela1
    As sci-fi goes, it's a very good "what if" story which doesn't try to do anything too flashy.
  • vadermccandless
    December 11, 2011
    vadermccandless
    An excellent time travel film that manages to get away with some dated and inexpensive-looking effects due to an interesting plot, some well-developed characters and great payoffs for time travel geeks. One of the better time travel films I've seen, one that embraces its B-movie ... read morenonsense while staying emotionally true to its characters.
  • jam233
    October 5, 2009
    jam233
    Rather dated, improbable, stiffly acted, ridiculous at times and the plot is filled with holes, some of them gapingly large, but I thoroughly enjoyed the movie for some reason. I was never bored.
  • Sunshineyness
    August 9, 2009
    Sunshineyness
    This movie's biggest flaw is the absolute and utter lack of acting talent in it's main characters and lack of chemistry between them. It does have an interesting story but the terrible acting just drags it down way too much.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    June 8, 2007
    MovieGuruDude72
    A very good premise that wasn't executed properly. A bit dumb at times, but a decent movie. If you're a conspiracy theorist this is a wet dream for you.
  • Astrotrain
    May 1, 2007
    Astrotrain
    Saliors aboard a destroyer back in WWII are used as a time traveling experiment and as the experiment goes wrong, two sailors jump ship to escape. When they do they are hurled to the 1980's and are forced to find out what happened to their shipmates. During their 80's stay, they ... read moreare pursued by a back cloud which is the time portal they escaped. Good plot, and a bit of time flip flop but to to confusing. Good movie.
  • kendar9093
    April 3, 2007
    kendar9093
    A surprisingly good movie starring a somewhat underrated Michael Pare. His second best film next to Eddie and the Cruisers.

View All The Philadelphia Experiment Reviews

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris
July 23, 2008
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One of the best science-fiction films of the 80s - up there with "RoboCop" and "2010"

Rich Cline
April 18, 2005
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

silly classic sci-fi

Victoria Alexander
October 1, 2003
Victoria Alexander, FilmsInReview.com

Didn't convince me.

Robert Roten
August 25, 2002
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

Weird urban legend. Over the top, but interesting.

Scott Weinberg
March 22, 2001
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide

Enjoyable time-twisting B-movie. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 5, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jake Euker
July 29, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Rob Blackwelder
May 4, 2004
Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWire

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Philadelphia Experiment Trivia

  • Which actor/actress links the movies "Eddie and the Cruisers", "The Philadelphia Experiment", "Streets of Fire", "The Virgin Suicides" and "Inland Empire"?  Answer »
  • In the Movie "The Philadelphia Experiment" Michael Pare played the part of David Herdig. What actress played the part of Allison Hayes?  Answer »
  • Which movie has nothing to do with Pearl Harbor?  Answer »
  • Who were the sailors joking with as boarding the ship in The Philadelphia Experiment ?  Answer »
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