The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

50% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(6,917 ratings)

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 Parker Bobby DiCicco are sailors stationed aboard a Virginia battleship. Their vessel is undergoing… More 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 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Stewart Raffill
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Aug 3, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Sep 19, 2000
Studio: Starmaker Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the best science-fiction films of the 80s - up there with "RoboCop" and "2010"
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
silly classic sci-fi
Victoria Alexander, FilmsInReview.com
Didn't convince me.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Weird urban legend. Over the top, but interesting.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Enjoyable time-twisting B-movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

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 looks… More
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 looks 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.
xGary X

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.
Dean M

Wildly implausible sci-fi tale - good action, romance and, of course, fun.
Angela A

As sci-fi goes, it's a very good "what if" story which doesn't try to do anything too flashy.

Cast

            Michael Paré as David

            Nancy Allen as Allison

            Eric Christmas as Longstreet

            Bobby Di Cicco as Jim

            Kene Holliday as Clark

            Louise Latham as Pamela

            Vaughn Armstrong as Cowboy

            Ed Bakey as Pa Willis

            Jay Bernard as Engineer

            Gary Brockette as Adjutant/Andrews

            Vivian Brown as Ma Willis

            Pamela Brull as Doris

            Michael Currie as Magnusson

            Joe Dorsey as Sheriff Bates

            Tony Farrell as Bandleader

            Stephanie Faulkner as Newscaster No.1

            Linda Francis
            
            Richard Jewkes as Technician

            Ralph Manza as Older Jim

            Miles McNamara as Young Longstreet

            Glenn Morshower as Mechanic

            Michael Ruud as Truck Driver

            Bill Smille as Evangelist

            Charles H. Bisharat as Commander

            Gilbert Girion as Policeman

            Stephen Tobolowsky as Barney

            Rudy Daniels as Policeman

            Patrick de Santis as Jim Jr.

            Cate Praggastis
            
            Don Dolan as Driver

            James Edgcomb as Officer Boyer

            Debra Troyer as Young Pamela

            Clayton Wilcox as Transvestite

            Joe Moore as Commander's Buddy

            Charles Hall as Commander
See full cast