Where to start withThe Time Machine
2 versions · originally a book, 1895
Themes: Time Travel, Social Darwinism, Class Division, Evolution, Utopia and Dystopia.
Start with The Time Machine (H. G. Wells, 2016) — the book. The Time Machine exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1895; each is ranked below by what it does best.
H.G. Wells' seminal masterpiece explores the chilling evolutionary divergence of humanity through the eyes of a daring Victorian inventor.
✦ Most fans start here
The Time Machine (2016)
The original novel
✦ Start hereThe Time Machine
H. G. Wells · Book · 2016
The 2016 edition of The Time Machine provides the original prose, allowing readers to experience Wells' foundational social commentary and Victorian-era scientific speculation in its purest, most immersive written form.
1960 film
The Time Machine
George Pal · Film · 1960
The 1960 movie adaptation by George Pal translates the novel’s speculative concepts into a visually iconic cinematic experience, perfectly capturing the eerie atmospheric tension of a divided future world.
Common questions
Is The Time Machine book from 2016 a new sequel?
The 2016 edition of The Time Machine is a republication of the original 1895 novel by H.G. Wells rather than a sequel. It contains the original text and narrative established by the author in the late nineteenth century.
How does the 1960 movie compare to The Time Machine book?
The 1960 film adaptation of The Time Machine follows the primary narrative structure of the 1895 book. While the movie introduces visual elements specific to the medium of film, it remains faithful to the core journey of the protagonist through time as described in the original source material.
Should I read The Time Machine book before watching the 1960 movie?
Reading the 1895 book version of The Time Machine before watching the 1960 movie provides a deeper understanding of the author's original intent. Both versions explore the same central themes, but the book allows for a more detailed examination of the scientific and social concepts presented.
What is the original source material for The Time Machine?
The original source material for all subsequent adaptations is the 1895 novel titled The Time Machine written by H.G. Wells. This foundational text established the concepts and story used in both the 1960 film adaptation and the 2016 edition of the book.