The Philadelphia Experiment

1984

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

TOMATOMETER

50%

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

40%

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Movie Info

This interesting sci-fi adventure (named and adapted from a widely-reported incident in 1942 about a battleship that supposedly disappeared with all its crew) begins in 1943 on a naval destroyer where strange experiments are being enacted. Something goes wrong and the ship and two crewmen are sent forty nine years into the future. They then try to solve the mystery of how they got there and how they can get home. In the meantime, one of the soldiers falls in love.

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Cast

Michael Paré
as David
Nancy Allen
as Allison
Bobby Di Cicco
as Jim
Eric Christmas
as Longstreet
Kene Holliday
as Maj. Clark
Louise Latham
as Pamela
Joe Dorsey
as Sheriff Bates
Linda Francis
Michael Currie
as Magnusson
Charles Hall
as Commander
Stephen Tobolowsky
as Barney
Cate Praggastis
Gary Brockette
as Adjutant Andrews
Debra Troyer
as Young Pamela
Miles McNamara
as Young Longstreet
Ralph Manza
as Older Jim
James Edgcomb
as Officer Boyer
Glenn Morshower
as Mechanic
Rodney Saulsberry
as Doctor
Vivian Brown
as Ma Willis
Ed Bakey
as Pa Willis
Vaughn Armstrong
as Cowboy
Bill Smillie
as Evangelist
Lawrence Lott
as Technician
Stephen O'Reilly
as Punk Rocker
Clayton Wilcox
as Transvestite
Pat Dasko
as Dry Wells Newscaster
Pamela Brull
as Doris
Richard Jewkes
as Technician
Michael Rudd
as Truck Driver
Mary Lois Grantham
as Mrs. Waite
Rick Schrand
as Mandell
Stephanie Faulkner
as Newscaster No.1
Brent E. Laing
as Radar Technician
Bill Smille
as Evangelist
Patrick de Santis
as Jim
Andrew McCartney
as Technician
Michael Ruud
as Truck Driver
Charles H. Bisharat
as Commander
Robin Krieger
as X-ray Technician
Andrew R. Nuzzo
as Generator Technician
Joe Moore
as Commander's Buddy
Raymond Kowalski
as Radio Technician
Don Dolan
as Driver
Tony Farrell
as Bandleader
Andrew Bracken
as Crazed Sailor
Rudy Daniels
as Policeman
Gilbert Girion
as Policeman
Sharon Doss
as Violet
Jay Bernard
as Engineer
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Critic Reviews for The Philadelphia Experiment

All Critics (10)

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

Jul 23, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Moviehole

silly classic sci-fi

Apr 18, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Shadows on the Wall

Didn't convince me.

Oct 1, 2003 | Rating: 1/5
FilmsInReview.com

Weird urban legend. Over the top, but interesting.

Aug 25, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Laramie Movie Scope

Enjoyable time-twisting B-movie.

Mar 22, 2001 | Rating: 70/100
Apollo Guide
View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for The Philadelphia Experiment

½

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 in white coats...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.

Phil Hubbs
Phil Hubbs

Super Reviewer

Likeable little sci-fi, love story thing.

Marcus Woolcott
Marcus Woolcott

Super Reviewer

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.

xGary Xx
xGary Xx

Super Reviewer

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

Dean McKenna
Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

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