How to Build a Time Machine follows two men as they set out on a journey to build their own time machines. Rob Niosi is a stop motion animator who has spent the last 13 years obsessively constructing a full-scale replica of the time machine prop from the 1960 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine.” It’s his attempt to recapture the memory of seeing the film in theaters with his father. Dr. Ron Mallett is a theoretical physicist whose story begins with a tragedy. He was only 10 years old when his father died suddenly of a heart attack. Distraught, he sought solace in science-fiction. After reading “The Time Machine,” Ron dedicated his life to studying physics. He has since become a professor at the University of Connecticut and is now working on building a real time machine in the hopes that he might go back in time to save his father’s life.

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[youtube https://youtu.be/tm8jJkHA-k0?t=4673]

Video Quality

How To Build A Time Machine comes to Blu-Ray from Circle Collective and Vinegar Syndrome with a top notch high definition master which presents this documentary perfectly. This feature largely consists of newer footage along with sporadic older clips from The Time Machine and archival material from the lives of the subjects to flesh out their experiences. The footage from The Time Machine appears to be derived from the best elements available at the time of production, and the personal footage is as strong as the source allows.

The more modern talking head interview segments look pleasantly crisp and clear with natural skin tones and some detailed facial features. Most of the shooting locations tend to be controlled settings which provide sharp and detailed textures with only minor variances. The colors featured in the footage have a great sense of vibrancy to them. The transfer does not showcase anything in the way of compression artifacts or digital nuisances of the sort. This presentation is really great all around.

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray disc comes with a commendable DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that translates this material exactly as intended. This is primarily an interview showcase with a fair amount of talking heads to complement the candid footage and archival movie clips. Dialogue stays anchored in the center channel with no elements overwhelming the information. The whimsical score comes through with a grand fidelity that complements the material well. The environmental elements register as distinct pieces that hold their own. There were no drop-outs or digital anomalies heard at any point. This track does exactly what it needs to do. There are optional English subtitles provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Jay Cheel provides a really great, free-flowing commentary track in which he gives additional background to the production of the film, reactions from test screenings, thematic connections he wanted to make in the story, references he snuck into the film, details about the shooting locations, additional details about certain scenes and more. This is a really worthwhile listen if you have the chance.

Deleted Scenes: There are four unused segments totaling nearly 24 minutes provided here including Rob spending more time visiting other collectors and enthusiasts, Rob showing off his time machine to Ron and more.

Rob’s Chair: A minute-long outtake from a 2005 student film from Jay Cheel in which he interviews Rob about his interest in building a time machine.

How To Fake A Time Machine: A 13-minute featurette in which Ralph Zavadil takes you through the beginning steps of how to craft your rudimentary time machine.

A Tour Of Rob’s Machine: A nearly 12-minute look at Rob’s completed time machine in great detail with interesting context given by Rob.

Rob’s Inventions: A nearly eight-minute look at some of the projects in Rob’s life including some really interesting lamps, a painted rock tortoise and more.

Original Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.

Booklet: There is a multi-page booklet provided featuring a brief essay from director Jay Cheel about his relationship with Rob Niosi.

Final Thoughts

How To Build A Time Machine is a heartfelt documentary which uses the fantastical idea of time travel to explore very real emotions such as grief and regret. The two main subjects are not the most bombastic personalities that you often find in such specific documentary topics, but they bring authenticity to their experiences. The film is constructed well and provides a good level of entertainment, but it never quite transcends into the upper echelon of great documentaries. Nevertheless, most should have an enjoyable time while watching. Circle Collective and Vinegar Syndrome have released a Blu-Ray featuring a rock solid A/V presentation and some engaging special features. If the concept intrigues you, be sure to seek this one out. Recommended

How To Build A Time Machine is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Circle Collective & Vinegar Syndrome have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.