7. The Time Machine(1960)
The original and some would say still the best. The Oscar-winning 1960 adaptation of
HG Wells classic novel
The Time Machine is Wells second appearance on our list (in a manner of speaking). In 1960
The Time Machine was revolutionary, it may not stand up so well against todays modern cinematic advancements, but it is still a million times better than the dire 2002 remake that starred Samantha freakin Mumba.
The Time Machine may not have aged well, but given it was made in 1960, you still have to be impressed by its OSCAR winning effects of time rapidly changing outside of Wells contraption.
HG Wells is a genius, that is a given, but his work and the work of those who contributed to this big screen adaptation has to be commended for not only kick-starting the time travel cinematic boom but the emergence of science fiction as a big screen draw. Director
George Pal also deserves a multitude of praise lumping on him for bringing Wells vision to the big screen (Pal also produced) and
The Birds star
Rod Taylor gives a suitably eccentric performance as Wells. Wells is appropriately referred to as The Godfather of Science Fiction and his influence was fondly referenced in
Back to the Future through George McFlys Sci-fi romance novel, which is what Wells dubbed his own early work.