Plot hole: When George stops the machine for the first time, the candle burned down to about half of its size, which took according to his observations 98 minutes. But as the trip continues it takes seven hours for it to burn down completely. (00:25:45)
The Time Machine (1960)
Directed by: George Pal
Starring: Rod Taylor, Sebastian Cabot, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux
Revealing mistake: During the big underground fight scene, the solid rock wall moves as George pounds a Morlock's head against it.
Continuity mistake: The Morlocks aren't affected by the light from metal in fusion in their foundry but they recoil from the light of a match.
Trivia: In the video documenting the making of The Time Machine, Rod Taylor states that if you count the number of rivets on the spinning disk on the back of the machine, there are 365 of them (one for each day of the year). That said, there are actually only 348 pegs.
Trivia: If you look closely at the metal plate that is connected to the front of the machine it says, "Manufactured by H. George Wells".
Trivia: In the book, the Time Traveler finds a museum in 'The Palace of Green Porcelain'. Though this isn't mentioned in the film in any way, the room the 'speaking rings' are in has bright green walls. Nice touch.
Talking Rings: My name is of no consequence. The important thing you should know, is that I am the last who remembers how each of us, man and woman made his own decision. Some chose to take refuge in the great caverns, and find a new way of life far below the earth's surface. The rest of us decided to take our chances in the sunlight. Small as those chances might be.
George: What have you done? Thousands of years of building and rebuilding, creating and recreating so you can let it crumble to dust. A million years of sensitive men dying for their dreams... FOR what? So you can swim and dance and play.
George: David, I've got to tell it now. While I still remember it.
Filby: Relax, try to relax. You've all the time in the world.
George: You're right David, that's exactly what I have. All the time in the world.
Question: What was in the envelope he put on the mantel just before he left. It was already gone when his friend and maid ran to see him leave?
Question: Which three books did the time traveller take?
Chosen answer: It is specifically not stated which three books he took with him, leaving it open to audience speculation.
Answer: In 1917, James Filby has driven and parked facing in the wrong direction.
What does that have to do with the question?
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Answer: Earlier in the movie, Mrs. Watchit hands an envelope to Philby with a note inside to inform everyone that if George doesn't show up at 8:00, then they can start dinner without him. This is what he most likely left on the mantle before he started his journey through time.