User reviews

Time travel has been an interesting subject for film over the years, and here's another one: "From Time to Time" (2009) starring Alex Etel, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, and Christopher Villiers. Etel plays Tolly Oldknow, a young English boy during World War II who is sent to stay with his paternal grandmother (Smith) when his father is declared missing and his mother leaves home to either find him or obtain information about him. The house is an old family home which will have to be sold soon, as his grandmother can't afford to keep it up.

Tolly discovers that there are ghosts in the house, of which his grandmother is aware. He soon finds that he can go into another time and witness family happenings. He learns about family scandals and secrets back as far as 1805 and comes to know the residents, his ancestors. And he finds that one of the mysteries has relevance today.

Very sweet, warm, well-acted story that really draws one in, as the youngster and grandmother get to know one another and bond. I really liked it and recommend it.

I put off watching this film for a long time because of the 6/10 IMDb rating and because it seemed like one of those films you 'need to be in the mood for'.

Well, it is but when you are in the mood for a good story then watch this film because the overall experience is well worth it. Technically and visually the film is successful (i.e. cinematography, location, costumes etc.) but it was the story itself that kept me interested. I am not sure if the success of the film is owed to the book it was adapted from or if the script added anything but the story was really engaging.

The funny and tragic moments never felt forced or embellished and the actors were extremely committed and convincing.

I am not a viewer who knows too much about the film making process so the most I can comment on really is that whilst the ending was rather predictable I was happy I had watched the film and would highly recommend it to others.

I hope the IMDb rating increases as it easily deserves 8/10

I put off watching this show for a long time also. Not because of the rating but because it seemed like something "nice" but without zing, so something else always became the first choice. I shouldn't have waited. This was delightful!

Such a sweet story jumping in time between two generations of family and showing the developing relationship in family separated time and then also the relationships developed between people in a family separated by disagreement and social expectations as well.

An ending that is a little too pat and also not at the same time. Expected but good anyway. These British time period pieces always tempt me and this one was perfect, so well done, did not disappoint.

Such a lovely show, perfect actors, wonderful.

This film is about a young boy who goes to stay with his grandmother's stately home during the Second World War. He finds the house's secret ability to transport him back in time.

"From Time to Time" successfully weaves together past and present events in a logical manner. Many time travel stories have major plot loopholes, but "From Time to Time" has a logical plot that even when people from present interacts with people in the past and alter events from the past. I particularly like the fact that bits of stories weave together, such as the "miracle light" and the jewels, so everything in the film happens for a reason. I enjoyed watching "From Time to Time" a lot.

Quite a different type of movie I normally watch, but it kept me occupied and once the story started to unfold was pleasantly interesting.

The production was good and well acted, which made this fable a quality fairy tale of sorts. Anyone who loves ghostly dramas will enjoy this delightful film.

In 1944, the young teenager Tolly (Alex Etel) travels to the family real estate Green Knowe in the countryside of England to stay with his estranged grandmother Mrs. Oldknow (Maggie Smith). His mother went to London to search for information about his beloved father, who is missing in action in World War II. Mrs. Oldknow is trying to sell Green Knowe since she has financial difficulties and does not have any valuable asset to sell. During the night, Tolly meets two ghosts in his room and he goes to his grandmother to ask whether she believes in ghosts. Mrs. Oldknow explains that the manor has many ghosts from their family. Soon Tolly learns that he can travel to the beginning of the Nineteenth Century and he discloses secrets from the past of his family while waiting for his mother and the news about his father.

"From Time to Time" is a flawed but highly entertaining film with a naive story of ghosts and time travel. The cinematography is very beautiful and the cast has great names, such as Maggie Smith, Pauline Collins and Carice van Houten among others. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not Available (on DVD or Blu Ray)

This is a film that would easily have been made 40 years ago - that it was made now is remarkable. I never read the book upon which it was based so I came to it on its own merits - and it stood more than just well. This is a film to be savored like a fine wine - it has rich nuances. There is so much that is good about it - from writing and acting to photography and set design.

It is an atmospheric film. Beautifully captured - the two time periods are both portrayed in evocative detail. The mood for 1941 feels iconic but real - like it would have been - in memory - quiet, all in muted wintry grays with the detail of the house and its rooms presented to the eye like paintings. By contrast, 1811 has a warm and vivid lushness like a dream. Fascinating choices.

Beautifully acted - of exceptional note is Maggie Smith. Hugh Bonneville gives a wonderful performance as Captain Oldknow. I found the marital relationship between the Captain and his foreign wife, as acted by Hugh Bonneville and Carice van Houten, as his wife Maria, intriguing. Made me wonder about how that relationship was portrayed in the book. Pauline Collins and Timothy Spall and Dominic West all excellent, as are the actors playing the children. Well done all round.

This film made me curious about the book. In fact, I will likely read the book now.

This story is about a boy named Tolly. His father goes out to war and so he has to stay with his grandmother in a big house with a lot of history. The grandmother is Maggie Smith and it's nice to see her acting again she brings a little bit of laughter to her roles and it makes her characters enjoyable. Timothy all is also there as the grandskeeper. Tolly's grandmother tells him some stories of her past and how high Bonneville saved a young boy to be a helper for his blind daughter. Tolly communicates with the girl and boy and even helps them avoid what will happen that leads to a big fire. The cast is good and although the story does not entirely feel finished it was still a nice movie.

I hadn't heard a thing about this movie when it came out, but seeing Maggie Smith and Dominic West and Hugh Bonneville in the cast, I had to give it a try. I loved time travel books a lot when I was young and I wish I'd known about the book series this comes from, because it would've been perfect for me. I loved the look and the tone of the movie, with just enough adventure and mysteries to solve to keep me riveted. Yes, the tone is a bit somber at times, and I wasn't crazy about Alex Etel's performance as Tolly (he's fairly wooden), but it really moves well and there are enough other characters to focus on, so overall, I quite enjoyed it. Maggie Smith isn't as fun as she is on Downton Abbey, but few things are that amusing, after all. Dominic West, Pauline Collins, Hugh Bonneville, Timothy Spall and Harriet Walter are wonderful in smaller roles, while Eliza Bennett and Kwayedza Kureya, both new to me, are charming as the children in the Regency era. I also have to say that I loved the fashion in the past, with both Carice van Houten and Douglas Booth looking especially dishy in those clothes. I would say this is definitely a children's movie, but also good for adults who are children at heart (like me).

First and foremost, this is a quaint little film that is appropriate for all ages. I can definitely see this as a movie that grandparents could share with their grandkids, with enough elements to keep them all entertained... fairy tale themes abound, mingled in with ghosts and mysteries, a treasure hunt, good guys and bad guys, and life lessons about decency, love and family. In truth, it is a nice movie for many demographics... there's no sex or nudity or foul language at all... just a sweet little English story that takes place in the kind of setting that young and old may well be captivated by... nicely handled by a stellar cast.

That said, it wasn't totally (excuse the pun) "my cup of tea." I found it formulaic and a bit slow at times. The characters were charming, but very predictable, and the endings, of both the mystery and the movie, were obvious all along. But just because it wasn't ideal for me doesn't mean it's not perfect for you. It's quite nice in many ways, and if British period pieces are in your wheelhouse, you may very well enjoy and appreciate it. I was a 6.5 bumped up to a 7 for it's unique take on ghost stories, and for the lovely performances turned in by all parties.

Of all the things which irritate me when watching films of books which I have read the one which irritates me most is the script writer who thinks s/he can improve on the original. Of course a very long book has to lose characters and sub-plots, but "The Chimneys of Green Knowe" is not a long book, and for every character lost Julian Fellowes has invented a new one.

I have great respect for Julian Fellowes as an original screen writer, but the arrogance with which he has sought to 'improve' on Lucy Boston's novel really sets my teeth on edge. I suspect that someone who has never read the original will thoroughly enjoy this film, but the book is much better and much more subtle in both the relationships between the characters and the nature of the 'ghosts' which Julian Fellowes has made so much more conventional than Lucy Boston's unusual take on the nature of time and mutability.

I caught this entirely by chance on TV here in the UK on Boxing Day, and was transfixed from start to finish.

Whilst I've never read the book, I do recall an earlier version of this on TV from back in the 80's, but I doubt if there could be a more definitive version than this, with a stellar cast, and superb cinematography, my only question is how such a good film can emerge with a whimper rather than a bang.

Of course I appreciate that a film like this isn't remotely 'trendy', but the art of good story telling never goes out of fashion.

No surprise to see that Julian Fellowes was behind this, it had much of the same grandeur (and cast members!) that were to be found in his huge TV success of 2010 'Downtown Abbey' I cannot recommend this film highly enough, for lovers of ghost stories, and historical films in general, the two odd hours whizz by.

Julian Fellowes has assembled quite a stellar cast here for this rather charming, if formulaic, ghost story set in an English stately home. The young "Tolly" (Alex Etel) comes to live with his aristocratic grandmother "Mrs Oldknow" (Dame Maggie Smith) - who is having to think carefully about remaining in their fire-damaged family home. Once in situ, the young man discovers that he is able to revisit a time in the house's history when things were different, and there were big secrets being kept. Soon he is embroiled in trying to alter history saving those in both timelines before it is too late. To be fair, the story is pretty derivative, but it looks good - the costume and set designers have fun with the two periods of history - and there are plenty of familiar faces - Timothy Spall, a fine effort from Pauline Collins and a few brief cameos from Hugh Bonneville to keep this amiable story bubbling along nicely for ninety minutes. It's not likely a film you will recall seeing for long afterwards, but it has a gentle charm to it and the young Etel works well with his more illustrious co-stars to create a feel-good film that is worth watching.

When I saw the writer/director was Julian Fellowes, and the cast included his 'Downton' alumni Hugh Bonneville and the ever fabulous Maggie Smith, not to mention such great British actors as Dominic West(of 'The Wire'fame) and Pauline Collins ('Shirley Valentine' herself)and the perennially interesting Timothy Spall (Secrets & Lives) it seemed that all the omens were good....

For me though it only went to show that success as a writer does not automatically translate into success as a Director. The great writer was unable to let go of the desire to tell the story as if it were being 'read'. Everything was articulated (Pauline Collins character at one point almost iterating her own movements out loud ('I think i will just move this cup from her'...we know, we can see you moving the cup!).

The juvenile 'slave' character had an absurdly modern American accent (and a rather refined one for such a character) and only Maggie Smith seemed able to rise above the poor direction (naturally). The story idea has merit, but for Ghost story it lacked atmosphere, and the language was clunky. The characters were often stereotypical and one dimensional, no wonder this movie disappeared as soon as it was released!

Not that that was the idea when it was made, but given the opportunity to see this over the festive period its an interesting movie with some lovely Dorset (and elsewhere) scenery, 3 young people who steal the film from the established stars like Maggie Smith. Cant see too much because it will spoil it for you. There is a plot and a mystery which slowly unravel and makes the film something different which makes a pleasant change from the usual blood,guts and blasphemy films and soaps that Christmas TV has to offer

I was stoked when I saw the great big old house the kid was staying in & even more excited when he saw ghosts & the ghosts saw him! It's a pretty good movie but nothing spectacular or scary ever happens & I didn't really understand why there were ghosts & the ending didn't explain or wrap things up very well. I hate movies that show kids talking mean to elders & the boy acted bratty to his Grandmother. I hate disrespect like that. This movie had the potential to be a 10 star flick but for some reason it's like they didn't try hard enough with the story. I don't regret watching it because the picture, set, & actors were way above average. But why didn't they go for the gusto with this? Man, it could of been way, way better!

"From Time to Time," directed by Julian Fellowes, takes audiences on a captivating journey through history, seamlessly blending elements of fantasy with a rich tapestry of the past. The film's exploration of time travel, set against the backdrop of an English country estate, adds a unique charm to the narrative.

The standout performances by Alex Etel as Tolly and the ever-elegant Maggie Smith as Mrs. Oldknow anchor the film, infusing it with emotional depth and authenticity. However, the storyline occasionally feels disjointed, struggling to maintain a consistent pace as it navigates between different eras.

The connection to Lucy M. Boston's Green Knowe series provides a nostalgic touch for those familiar with the source material, yet the film might leave some viewers wishing for a more robust exploration of the underlying themes. Visually, the cinematography captures the allure of the historical setting, but certain scenes lack the cinematic flair needed to fully immerse the audience.

While "From Time to Time" doesn't achieve the widespread acclaim of some period dramas, it remains an enjoyable watch for those intrigued by the intersection of history and fantasy. With a score of 6/10, the film falls just short of greatness, offering a pleasant, albeit somewhat uneven, cinematic experience.

#FromTimeToTimeFilmReview.

"The Chimneys of Green Knowe" was very good book and adaptation of this book as movie was very wise decision,As the movie make justice with the book.I have seen many movies based on novels but this one is really amazing and honest to book.

The cinematography is beautiful,the acting is superb especially Maggie Smith(Linnet),Eliza Bennett(Susan) and Alex Etel(Tolly) have done a great job.Movie is a little slow in start but as soon it reaches in the middle you are bound to complete it.The director gave this movie a soft treatment.The music is not so well but it is not bad at all.

Finally If you are the fan of "The Green Knowe series" or just want to see a movie in your weekend go borrow the DVD as this a rare movie.

I quiet liked this movie except for one major goof concerning the oak tree and the children. Otherwise i found it entertaining.

This rather uninvolving time-slip film was made by Julian Fellowes to use sets and cast members left over from his popular period TV drama, DOWNTON ABBEY. It's ostensibly an adaptation of a '50s children's book called The Children of Green Knowe, about a boy living during the Second World War who finds a way to travel back into the lives of those in Regency England. I remembering seeing a Children's BBC adaptation of the same book, made back in the 1980s, and it was a hundred times more successful than this production: spooky, creepy with a genuine sense of wonder.

FROM TIME TO TIME is subdued and subtle throughout. It has a decent cast and a not-bad script, but it lacks the oomph to make it memorable. There's nothing spectacular or scary here, and the atmosphere is non-existent. The biggest fault lies in the casting of Alex Etel as the teenage protagonist; he makes for one of the most unlikeable child leads I've ever seen. The supporting cast, including such luminaries as Timothy Spall, Maggie Smith, Dominic West, Carice van Houten and Hugh Bonneville, is excellent, but none of the actors are what you could call stretched and the story plays out with nary a twist in sight.

Julian Fellowes adapted the screenplay from Lucy M. Boston's novel 'The Chimneys of Green Knowe' and as expected, especially when he directs his own films the story though slight is filled with elegance, grace and rich atmosphere. With a splendid cast it truly comes to life.

Set in 1940s England, 13-year-old Tolly (Alex Etel) is sent to stay with his grandmother (Maggie Smith) at her country home, which she fears she will have to sell due to money problems. Tolly's father is fighting in WWII, and is missing in action. As his grandmother tells him about the history of the house, and Tolly's ancestors, he finds that he is able to travel back in time to 1805 and discover secrets about his family's past, which still resonate today. The idea of time lapse is present in the story from 1805 - which centers around Tolly's ancestors, the kindly Captain Oldknow (Hugh Bonneville) and his selfish wife Maria (Carice van Houten) and their children Sefton, a spoiled, selfish young man (Douglas Booth) and a kindly, blind girl Susan (Eliza Bennett). Into their lives comes Jacob (Kwayedza Kureya), a former slave who escapes from captivity with the help of Captain Oldknow and joins the household as a companion for Susan, much to the chagrin of Sefton. The primary storyline is set in the 1940s, with Tolly and his grandmother worrying about what has become of Tolly's father, while at the same time getting to know and understand each other. The cast is augmented with character roles played by Timothy Spall, Dominic West, Douglas Booth, Rachel Bell and Pauline Collins.

This is a spirited adventure ghost story played two centuries apart and for those who enjoy the artistry of Julian Fellowes, this is a fine evening's diversion.

Grady Harp

From Time to Time was released in 2009, and is a very charming children's story. As I was watching this movie I found myself loving the story but disliking the movie. Julian Fellowes, Director and Writer of this picture who has won an Oscar for his writing in 2001′s Gosford Park, adapted the screenplay from Lucy M. Boston's novel The Chimneys of Treasure.

Maggie Smith and Alex Etel are the stars of this film, along with supporting actors consisting of Hugh Bonneville, Dominick West, and Timothy Spall. Maggie Smith, as always, did an exceptional job with her role; it wasn't necessarily realistically portrayed throughout, which I personally prefer in any film genre, but was nonetheless believable with the movie-type she was in. Maggie Smith just always seems to have a real grasp on her part, and how it should reflect the movie as a whole. Alex Etel carried the lead role of this film, and personally I don't know how this kid ever got into the acting industry. His lines are uncomfortably dry, with the only emotion that ever comes is when it is painfully clear that his director has told him to cry, laugh, etc., and even that is hard to watch without cringing or grimacing. Never once did I believe his character, or was taken into the world of the movie when he was on screen, which was sadly 90% of the film. I would have much preferred if the role had been given to some other actor such as Asa Butterfield, or some unknown child actor. Thankfully, Maggie Smith's consistent character, along with other believable appearances from Hugh Bonneville and especially Timothy Spall, were able to distract from this.

Julian Fellowes is a very good writer. It has been quite some time since I have last seen Gosford Park, but I do remember thinking that the dialogue was very good in his Oscar winning piece. I have also lately enjoyed the good writing of his in the BBC Television hit drama Downton Abbey. So I am unsure what went on here. The dialogue was very lousy, and the movie as a whole was very poorly concluded. This is the second of his only two attempts at directing, which was also rather bad. There were points where characters were put in a situation with lines that would be very urgent, but they would be very calm, which is clearly the fault of the director not of the actors. Or another example would be having a group of characters break into song simultaneously for just a few seconds, while meanwhile a great disaster is going on directly behind them. There were just many instances where it was clear the actors wanted to do something else, that they knew was better, and were probably right. Altogether, the writing, and especially the directing, was extremely poorly done, which made the movie difficult to watch. Which was a shame, because underneath of all of it what a really good story about a child learning about the lives of his ancestors, along with his own growth.

From Time to Time was a great disappointment to me not because I had really high hopes going into it, frankly I had never even heard of the film before, but because Mr. Fellowes took a really good story and made it into a rather "blah" movie. I wish I had been able to like this movie because of the story, but the way that it was put together was just too much of a distraction.

I give this movie a dissatisfied 5.2/10.

I've not seen Downton Abbey, so am unaware of how this rather stoic British drama with hints of the supernatural compares to director Julian Fellowes other creation. What I can tell you though, is that it is a professionally mounted film with a cast of well-known British thespians acting in parts that you know were made for them, like pieces in a jigsaw.

The society of the latter days of World War 2 is handsomely recreated, even if it is just relegated to one house. The X-Files style plot elements feel a bit half-baked, and sometimes it feels so dry you'll start craving for a glass of water. These are just minor quibbles, though. It all comes to a head with a series of revelations at the conclusion... Which may even make the weak-willed among you reach for your hankies.

Not this cat, though. I would never fall for something so corny *Frantically hides his copy of Braveheart* 6/10