Science fiction is certainly not only one of the most popular genres it is also one of the most versatile. The source material can run the gamut from stories from pure imagination to pushing technology slightly ahead if it’s current level. One rather unique source on which to base a Sci-Fi story is an urban myth. In many ways this is an ideal combination; both are manifestations of the unbounded imagination of man. The movie that brought these two types of storytelling together is ‘The Philadelphia Experiment’. This 1984 flick has become a cult classic as well as persisting as one of the more discussed conspiracy theories around. It does contain all elements required by all of its genres from futuristic scientific break troughs to covert government research programs necessitating a cover-up to forestall public knowledge of the loss of innocent human life. There have been numerous treatments of this story and as is frequently the case with an urban legend some of the details differ from one incarnation of the tale to another. It is generally accepted, at least by the Sci-Fi community, that this movie brought the ‘incident’ to light with the public’. It is far from the best flick in the genre and had a rough time in the theaters since it was released very soon after the third film in the ‘Star Wars’ saga became the definitive gold standard for special effects. Still, it remains a stalwart movie still discussed and cited in Sci-Fi conventions especially when the talk turns to time travel. Although the flick represents one of the last to be made with what is now primitive special effects the flick retains its fan base due to a strong narrative and a good deal of heart. The film is extremely dated which may be a turn off to those out there whose birth year is prior to the seventies. There have been releases of this film in the past but Starz/Anchor Bay has re-released the DVD with new packaging and a bargain price. It does appear that this is the same mastering used in prior releases so don’t expect the level of audio and video you have become accustomed to having.

The story from Wallace C. Bennett was based on the novels by Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore then turned into a screenplay with the efforts of William Gray and Michael Janover. This may seem like a lot of hands for what is basically a relatively minor flick but this is not uncommon for a movie especially when you take into account the founding story had become a widely told and retold urban legend. The director, Stewart Raffill has a few films that have achieved the lauded status of cult classic include such Mystery Science Theater 3000 worthy flicks as ‘Tammy and the T-Rex’ and Ice Pirates’. This demonstrates experience in creating fun movies for casual enjoyment and there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with that. This movie reminded me a lot of the old fifties Sci-Fi flicks I used to watch on a Saturday afternoon matinee. There were no ground breaking effects, great acting or any aspect of the production to place it in the annals of cinematic history but it is incredibly satisfying as a fun time to get into with some friends and a huge bowl of popcorn.

There are variations of what goal was sought with ‘The Experiment’ the two most popular was to either make a ship invisible or just undetectable by radar. The means typically involves some manipulation of the unified field theory far beyond what is even theorized today. The War Department gives research scientists lead by Dr. James Longstreet the use of a destroyer escort USS Eldridge docked in the Philadelphia ship yard. Two sailors, David Herdeg (Michael Paré) and Jim Parker (Bobby Di Cicco) were assigned the task to throw the switch turning on the device. Immediately after it is turned on things go horribly awry. Bolts of electricity fly about as the men on deck scream in pain. Suddenly the two sailors find themselves transported into a strange maelstrom flung off the ship only to land in a desert. They are chased and shot at by a helicopter, something unheard of in their time it a carjacks a young woman standing nearby, their native time. As the run they come across a diner stopping in to get their bearings. Jim is highly reactive to the electronic games and shorts them out. The owner pulls a gun but David grabs it getting away by high jacking the car of a young woman, Allison Hayes (Nancy Allen) takes her with them. Jim gets worse and disappears into thin air while in the hospital. Meanwhile, it turns out the main scientist from the project is working on s project to redirect incoming missiles into hyperspace. That made an entire town disappears connecting the two experiments in some way.

The first thing most watching this for the first time will notice is the special effects. For something like this the use of practical effects were not going to get the job done and computer graphics were just on the horizon of actual application. Most of the effects consisted of a video technician playing with the color balance and contrast creating a psychedelic scene that looked more in place in the sixties than the eighties. After the little light show a few cut outs of the ship are used and the effects team can take it easy until the third act. Jim and David wind up in 1984 so there is a requirement for time travel culture shock with the guys in shock at ho lightweight an aluminum can is or color TV. David is a bit upset when he sees a B actor; Ronald Reagan has become President of the United States. David tries to reconnect with the past but too much has happened so a romance begins to brew between him and Allison. Overall it remains a solid story that remains entertaining to watch.