User reviews

I first saw this film in a theater on a date, and it was an excellent choice, with science fiction for the guys, romance for the ladies, a pleasant feel throughout, and nothing too racy or too gory. I'm really surprised at all the negative comments about this film, and how it should be remade. I thought it was quite good as it was, other than in a few minor details, and I can't imagine it being remade without destroying the special moods it created.

My favorite part is the aerial scene of the orange groves and eucalyptus trees in inland California as David and Allison are driving down a rural highway, seeking out David's old friends. After all the tension in the earlier part of the film, this peaceful interlude set to pleasant music while soaring over the rolling hills is a beautiful contrast, and it becomes the high part of the film. The soothing old '40s music that David switches to on the car radio adds to the ambiance, and it becomes easy to imagine that time has stood still in this part of the country, which of course fits perfectly with the main plot. This mood is extended by David pointing out old landmarks he remembers: a church, a big old tree, and an old gas station. Then old black-and-white photographs on the wall of the gas station of David and his father bring the point home that David was telling the truth all along. It's a poignant scene as David is proud of his dad's accomplishments late in life while he simultaneously laments his father's passing. Too often nowadays films are made with "yang-on-yang" nonstop tension, action, and violence without any pleasant, relaxing high points, so I think this film was very well balanced in that way.

There are a number of other very well-done tidbits throughout the film. For example, David's question to the doctor, "Is this sort of thing possible now?", when describing time travel is something that only a bona-fide time traveler would say, and I remember the audience chuckled in delight at that perfect bit of dialog. Another gem is when David bluntly asks the transvestite in his jail cell, "What the hell are you dressed like that for?" I've known down-to-earth, practically-minded, heterosexual sailors, and that's exactly how they react to our modern era's confusing gender bending. Another gem was David flatly declaring that the water his friend Jim sees in the distance is a mirage, and then Jim ribbing David about David's mistake as they trudge through miles of water.

I thought the romance worked extremely well. Note David's defensiveness about his love life when he's in the '40s, and how standoffish his '40s girlfriend is, and then contrast that to the magnanimous personality of Allison in the '80s, who coincidentally has the same curly red hair as his '40s girlfriend--evidently the look David likes. Allison becomes the ideal version of his '40s girlfriend, and understandably becomes David's new focus in life. They make a very nice couple, I think.

There are admittedly some weak points in the film. The 2001-type vortex travel scene has some unconvincing effects, but considering they're trying to show what the fourth dimension looks like, which presumably has nothing in common with our universe, it's hard to find fault in their visualization. The glowing hands and electric arcs flying out from the arcade games and power lines are a little weak, as are people's reactions to those, and the carrying of top secret papers, and the implausible landing on a ship in a vortex, but I regard those are minor points. The modern day reaction of Jim to his old friend seems unrealistic at first until you think about it, and the explanation given about Jim's psychological problems after the experiment makes perfect sense and adds a bit of unexpected realism. In real life you can't expect to look up old friends and have everything go back to the way it used to be. Such details in the film fit together quite well, I believe.

Whether or not this movie follows the historical facts and rumors of the original Philadelphia Experiment isn't particularly important to me. What I care about is whether the film stands on its own as a piece of art, and in my opinion it definitely does. This is a film I find myself thinking about from time to time, and I like to watch it every so often. To me it's a film worth owning.

In 1943, the United States tests an anti-radar system to make the U. S. Navy ships invisible to the enemy. Dr. James Longstreet uses his experiment in the destroyer escort USS Eldridge that disappears from Philadelphia. The sailors David Herdeg (Michael Paré) and his best friend Jim Parker (Bobby Di Cicco) are projected to 1984, where they meet Allison Hayes (Nancy Allen). They unsuccessfully try to contact their base and out of the blue Jimmy disappears in a hospital. Allison helps David to visit Jimmy's wife Pamela, but Jimmy refuses to see him. Now David's only hope is meeting Dr. James Longstreet to learn what to do. Will he be well succeeded?

"The Philadelphia Experiment" is an enjoyable film with a story with paradoxes, like most of the stories about time travel. The conclusion is corny and romantic, but works well. The military team in the Jeep shooting David and Allison in their car during the persecution through the highway is ridiculous. But anyway this film is still a great entertainment after so many years. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Projeto Filadélfia" ("Philadelphia Project")

Note: On 08 July 2022, I saw this film again.

Based on an "actual event" that took place in 1943 and set during WW2 , a ¨Philadelphia experiment¨ about invisibility and involving an anti-radar goes wrong , causing an USS naval battleship -Navy Destroyer Escort- to disappear from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard , Virginia , by means of a warp time . A pair of sailors (stars Michael Pare and Bobby DiCicco) find themselves thrown into a temporary hole and sent 40 years into the future . Then they find in modern world of 1984 and a cataclysm that threatens to destroy it and change the course of history . Meanwhile , they meet a beautiful girl(costars Nancy Allen) who help them .

This is a far-fetching but acceptable story about two sailors traveling forward in time to just to discover weird incidents and save the world . Reportedly (?) based on a true events that are developed with intrigue , suspense , thrills and noisy action . Familiar but satisfying and agreeable Sci-Fi yarn . Just amusement enough to cover production gaps and some flaws . Fine special effects for that time and liking performances by the leads manage to keep this one afloat . Good support cast as Louise Latham and Stephen Tobolowsky , among others . Colorful cinematography by Dick Bush and atmospheric musical score by Wannberg. The motion picture was professionally directed by Stewart Raffill . He's an expert on adventure genre as ¨Across the Great Divide¨ , ¨Sea Gypsies¨ and science fiction as ¨Ice pirates¨ , ¨Mc and Me¨ and of course this one . It's followed by an inferior sequel titled ¨Philadelphia experiment II ¨ with Brad Johnson . Rating : Acceptable and passable fare although better viewed in big screen .

I've seen every time travel movie ever made, and I must say that the Philadelphia Experiment ranks pretty high on my list of favorites. Despite the cheesy love story (almost as bad as Titanic or Pearl Harbor) the effects are pretty good and the story is cool.

The actors were fair (Nancy Allen was great, though) and the screenplay is pretty good. It's a really interesting story in itself, though. If you have any interest at all in this movie, I would strongly recommend looking for books about the actual Philadelphia Experiment. (sometimes found in collections of paranormal phenomenon) The supposed true story involves tests to camoflauge a navy ship - rendering it either invisible to radar or TRULY invisible (stories vary as to the exact intent of the experiment) apparently through the use of magnetic fields. The rumor is that the ship disappeared from the Philadelphia naval yard and TELEPORTED to a Virginia naval yard. The crew had a variety of side-effects, ranging from temporary invisibility and/or intangibility to getting phased into solid objects and getting stuck there. (a couple of people who were phased into solid objects can be seen in the movie - pretty cool!) The "true" story makes a great read and even if only a fraction of it is true, it's a pretty remarkable idea that any of it happened in reality.

The Philadelphia Experiment is an entertaining movie, but more for sci fi fans and their girlfriends rather than the average moviegoer. Stay away from the Philadelphia Experiment II, though... it's just awful.

A scientific experiment conducted by the US Navy in 1943 to try and make the USS Eldridge invisible to radar goes awry. Two sailors (Michael Paré, Bobby Di Cicco) on board the ship are somehow sent forward in time to 1984. Once there, they get reluctant help from cutie Nancy Allen. I actually saw this years before I found out the Philadelphia Experiment was an actual event. Or rather, an alleged actual event. The original story is a lot less interesting as it has no Michael Paré or Nancy Allen. What's there to say about this movie? It's flawed and I can even see some calling it a turkey. But there's something very likable about it to me. Perhaps it's the stars or perhaps it's the subject matter. I'm a sucker for both Nancy Allen and time travel stories. It's a pleasant, entertaining popcorn movie and I got some kicks out of it.

I'm on a watching old movie kick. Although I'm not so sure that the 80's is all that old since I can still recall seeing this back then! Watching it now sure gives another perspective! First off were all females as whiney and annoying as Nancy Allen's character? Allison.. "Don't listen to him David, just don't listen. Tell me what's going on, just tell me. I can't just say things once, not only once? I repeat things in case you didn't hear it, just in case." And OMG did everyone smoke cigarettes? What were we thinking> I rather enjoyed the special effects of the time - not overdone - but made the point. The story was what the story was - and it is and has been a classic. Lot's of the actual written story was removed in place of lovey dovey and whiney stuff - but that's alright. I personally would have loved to see more 1980's stuff - here in 2013 - from the perspective of someone from years before. I'm seeing it from the past and he's seeing it from the future. I'm looking forward to a movie where women are more "modern" - not quite sure where or when that's going to be.

When those fantastic VCR come out in late 80' I'd rented this movie in VHS with subtitles, I've really like it, a time travel through unsuccessful experiment seems an impressive plot to start, having John Carpenter as executive producer raised the picture in higher degree, introducing the young Michael Paré as top billing as promising actor and the beauty Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco and the lady Louise Lathan still bright as olden times, a smooth Sci-Fi production in early graphic computers available were enough.

The storyline was quite original and fresh about a top secret experiment that took place in 1943 by a scientist Dr. Longstreet (Eric Christmas), becoming a heavy warship invisible by enemy's radars, however something has gone wrong and David Herdeg (Michael Paré) and Jim Parker (Bobby Di Cicco) dropped in a time warp sending them to the future in 1984, there they meet Allison Hayes (Nancy Allen) who help them, actually in this time the similar project is ongoing and both experiments crash each other, such thing create a giant vortex and David chased by US' Navy was the key to turn off all that, returning to 1943.

One of my guilty pleasures even in low budge it rocks, now available on restored DVD with the classic dubbed version, the long waiting finally is over!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1990 / How many: 6 / Source: VHS-TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5.

"The Philadelphia Experiment" (1984) is an ambitious, if flawed, foray into the science fiction genre. Directed by Stewart Raffill, the film draws its premise from an urban legend of a supposed World War II-era military experiment that resulted in a Navy warship becoming invisible and teleporting from Philadelphia to Norfolk, Virginia.

The movie's setup is promising: two sailors, played by Michael Paré and Bobby Di Cicco, are transported from 1943 to the then-present day of 1984, due to a military experiment gone wrong. Their struggle to adapt to their new time period and their efforts to return home form the core of the story. While Paré and Di Cicco give commendable performances, their characters are never fully fleshed out. The screenplay's focus often feels more directed towards the narrative's scientific and military elements, rather than providing depth to these protagonists.

Nancy Allen provides a strong supporting role as a woman from the '80s who assists the time-displaced sailors. Her interactions with Paré and Di Cicco add a touch of warmth and humor to the proceedings and bring a human dimension to the high-concept plot.

On a technical level, "The Philadelphia Experiment" has some notable strengths. The special effects, while dated by today's standards, were relatively impressive for the mid-80s, contributing to a sense of spectacle and intrigue. However, the film's pacing can be uneven, and certain plot developments feel abrupt or underdeveloped, resulting in a story that doesn't fully capitalize on its unique premise.

"The Philadelphia Experiment" provides some thought-provoking ideas about time travel and its consequences, but these are not fully explored or resolved in a satisfactory manner. The film's climax, in particular, feels rushed and leaves some key questions unanswered.

In conclusion, "The Philadelphia Experiment" is an interesting yet imperfect blend of science fiction and time travel adventure. Its compelling premise and decent performances are marred by a lack of character development and a plot that doesn't fully explore its ideas. For those with an interest in the time travel genre or the urban legend upon which the film is based, it may offer a diverting, if somewhat flawed, viewing experience. It serves as a snapshot of 80s sci-fi cinema, showcasing both the charm and limitations of the era.

23 January 2011. This would be a very good sci fi thriller, if not for the overly melodramatic and inappropriate, inconsistent use of aggressive military action in this rather fascinating time travel movie. For its time, the special effects were creative and in most cases not imitative. There are portions of the movie with the military chatter that were seemingly authentic, giving more compelling appeal to the background images and sounds to this movie. For the most part, the movie was directly with serious intent, even though the dialogue at times felt pretty much standard and at times almost stale, but the acting lifted the dialogue out of the mire. Unlike THE FINAL COUNTDOWN (1980), the lack of high-caliber actors may have been the plus for THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT, allowing the audience to focus more on the story, characters than the actors themselves. The biggest problem and a significant one was the insistence of the huge military action fireworks even as they were instructed to just bring the main character in, not to shoot at him as if to kill him. Overall, this was a decent sci fi movie on a relatively low budget that did well for the most part.

"The Philadelphia Experiment" takes the intriguing idea of time travel forward and turns it into a routine, often silly thriller. Michael Pare, hot off "Eddie and the Cruisers" stars as one of two WWII soldiers that are time warped to present day (1984) and try to get back. When his buddy does go back Pare seeks him out in 1984 and when he finds him the scene is so ridiculously written it kills the whole movie. Not a chance would the friend act the way he does to his supposedly long lost buddy. It's awkward and unintentionally funny - which can be said for the whole film.

The Philadelphia experiment never happened, but the legend stuck to people's fancies and inspired several films. The original science fiction story originated in 1955 (twelve years after the supposed event) and was immediately discarded but picked up by Hollywood as something to work on. John Carpenter as one of the leading names behind the film offers some promises, and they are fulfilled. It is well made, almost totally convincing, the effects are astounding, and the final script makes sense, at least to those who are scientifically oriented: theoretically this could happen. The acting is very good from the young couple to professor Longstreet, and there is a lot of drama as well and even some car chases - Hollywood has always loved ruining expensive cars in exaggerated car chases. The music and cinematography is also all right, and it's difficult to find any weak points in the film. Particularly interesting are the glimpses of the 40s with even "In the Mood" in the dancing hall.

Michael Pare plays David Herdeg, a sailor on the U.S.S. Naval destroyer Eldridge in the year 1943 which is involved with a top secret invisibility experiment in Philadelphia that goes wrong, with the unexpected result of sending him and another sailor forward in time 41 years, where they find themselves shocked by the technological and cultural differences that exist. After a visit to a diner doesn't go well, they find themselves on the run with the help of a young woman(played by Nancy Allen). Government forces catch up with them, and after the other sailor is spontaneously transferred back to the Eldridge, David is enlisted to undertake a dangerous mission to be sent back in time there as well, in order to stop the experiment that is still continuing on its own, causing havoc...

Good-natured film has appealing performances and an interesting storyline, though is hurt by becoming a standard chase picture for some of its length. Still, much imagination on display here anyway, and a most satisfying ending make it worthwhile.

This movie was a great concept, but unfortunately, it ruins all suspension of disbelief due to the fact that the haircuts were not even close to the regulation of the time.

Were regulation 1940's military haircuts so unacceptable at the time this movie was filmed that the actors couldn't comply?

Don't get me wrong, I prefer long hair. But if you're going to make an accurate movie from that time period, than have the guys suck it down and get a haircut from that era. It will grow back in a few months.

This movie reminds me of an episode of the Partridge Family, where Bert Convey portrays a captain in the Navy. But his hair is nowhere near regulation.

So fake. Get a grip, get a 1940's haircut, or a regulation military haircut if you're going to portray somebody in the military. Otherwise, you look fake as Hell.

This film is brilliant - I don't care what others think - It is your basic adventure time travel film. I think the plot is genius - When something disappears nobody thinks what's going on while it's invisible - This is what happens in the film as a ship is cloaked during world war 2 to prevent radar detection but the ship completely vanishes - while invisible 2 crew members jump overboard into one of the best time warps i've ever seen, into 1984 - I think the acting, effects and overall tension of the movie was way ahead of it's time and will remain my personal favourite film.

In 1943, the US Navy conducted a series of invisibility tests. David Herdeg (Michael Paré) and Jim Parker are sailors on the destroyer USS Eldridge being tested in the Philadelphia Harbor conducted by Dr. James Longstreet. The ship disappears but not just on radar. The two sailors jump ship and get thrown into 1984 Nevada. They get chased by a helicopter but escape. It's an alien world to them. Longstreet had conducted another experiment but this time an entire town disappeared. The guys walk to a gas station diner and end up carjacking Allison Hayes (Nancy Allen).

It's a fine sci-fi idea based on the persistent conspiracy theory. It has great bones for a cool movie. There are some silly bits and weaker parts. Stewart Raffill is not the best director around but he does a competent job in this one. The movie doesn't really have any snap to it. Michael Paré and Nancy Allen are solid leading actors during the 80's but they're not the most compelling couple. The movie doesn't take full advantage and build on a compelling start.

It seems to me that this film is getting unfairly trashed in these

comments. Sure, the acting could have been better, but those of

us that seek out second-tier science fiction films are used to

enduring MUCH worse acting than this. And Nancy Allen does a

great job.

I watched this on a flight to the West Coast back in 1984 and was

so facinated that I watched it again a week later. It's on my Top

500 list.

The premise is clever and thought-provoking. I doubt that many

viewers realize that the movie is based on an real conspiracy

legend. I was familiar with the "actual" Philadelphia Experiment

years before this movie was made and often wondered just what

might have happened back in the 1940's to give rise to the wild

rumors. The movie takes off on that premise and does very well

with it, incorporating many of the myth's parts (sailors glowing and

fading, victims stuck in solid steel, etc.). The screenplay pulls all

these pieces together neatly. Certainly much worse things have

been done with modern myth's. Take a look at all the stupid

movies based on the Roswell incident

I give this a 7 out of 10..

The original "true" story is regarded as a hoax. The science fiction adaptation makes use of elements of the story, namely, following some of Einstein's unified field theories. Unified field theory suggests that under certain conditions gravity and electro magnetism weak and strong forces can be interrelated. That is say electro magnetic fields could generate gravitational fields. Furthermore with Einstein's gravitational theory, the inter relation of gravity and mass and time implying that potentially a mechanism for bending space and time could come from electro magnetic fields. The problem with all of this the necessary requisite energetic, a singularity might be a good example, necessary to achieve all of these even supposing such were possible. Physicist notably have yet, while having some possible contenders, to model an adequate unified field theory. The movie nonetheless adapts an otherwise thriller romance come future time travel. While panned by the critics in its day, it still is something of interesting time capsule in film history.

I have to laugh at the reviews that try so hard to make this movie sound watchable. There are no positives here - the acting is amateur, the effects are amateur, the whole thing just comes off as extremely amateur.

One big thing I hate is a movie involving military that puts absolutely no effort into making the military look authentic, especially period authentic. Just for starters, the beginning of the movie is supposed to be in 1943, but all the military men have haircuts from today, and not a single one is close to even today's military standards, much less 1943. It ruins the idea, because they look like modern actors playing 1943 dress up with no more effort than trying on some military clothes. Even the modern military men in the movie don't look close to authentic.

The acting? Unbelievably cheesy. It honestly looks like this was everybody's very first movie after taking a semester of high school drama class. It really is that bad.

The basic story itself could probably be a good one, if it was rewritten - this one is a poor effort all around. Easily one of the worst made and worst acted movies I've ever seen.

Got this film on DVD, and must say I fully enjoyed it. Great acting, and the story line was very good. Also I thought the special effects are very good for the date when it was done. I think the idea of a war film, with time travel, and love story is very good, and this works very well in this film. I also found the sound effects to be quite good, again for the time period it was done in. If you are into sci-fi films, then I recommend this film a lot, and I shall be watching this film again in the near future. Nancy Allen's performance is on top, such great acting. Also I enjoyed the 40's music in the film, they captured the time period very well. I am most grateful I got a copy of this film on DVD.

The movie was not scoring any points for me until it hit stride midway through. Perhaps it's because the first half introduces the situation and the characters. The second half shows what they do. So hang in there.

The characters are so tightly written that at first blush, their actions seem contrived or unbelievable. However, if you really think about "What would so and so do?" You'll find the action and motivation makes sense.

For example, the gullible lead female is willing to believe not only the sailors but the person who lured her across country for a fake job. The low ranking sea man from the 1940's has problems suddenly coping with the 1980s. The angry veteran toward the end, obviously coping with PTSD, blows off his old friend.

Commentors above said, for example, the taciturn, unfriendly reaction of the old Vet in his 60s was unrealistic. But I've known some WW2 vets, including My own father... And they are exactly like that. They don't talk about anything traumatic.

SO the writing is excellent. It handles a subject that can get a little crazy just enough to make sense.

The movie's pitfall is the 'hush and rush' direction and cinematography that is not very cohesive.

This movie had 15 different styles of photography and 3/4 of the way through, you are screaming "Just pick a style already!"

The directing is poor in that it does not set the actors up for success in a linear scene acting format. For example, in one scene the hero's friend disappears into thin air and in the next scene, he's watching Abbot and Costello. So the emotional continuity from scene to scene was mangled throughout the picture.

Does it warrant a remake? Not at all. It just makes it to good enough as it is. It does what a movie is supposed to do. Anything added would just be eye-candy.