Richard Collier
Elise McKenna
William Robinson
Laura Roberts
Arthur Biehl
Dr. Gerald Finney
Older Elise
Arthur's Father

I saw the film when it was released back in 1980. I was 35 so perhaps it was middle-age that got me to thinking about what I really wanted from life. The mere idea of the story-line; love so complex, so profound, beyond time itself, was what got to me, really stirred me long after I had seen the film on VHS for the 15th time. Although flawed in numerous places, we forgive the director, Jeannot Szwarc. How was he to know it would come to be one of the best loved cult films of all time? I’ve seen this film more times than any other film, by far. The special edition DVD offers an incredible background on making of the film. It was wonderful. Get the Special Edition.

Did you know that Elise McKenna actually existed? But her name was not Elise, but Maud Adams who just happened to be the best known American actress of her day, near the turn of the century, mainly back in 1897. The creators of the film moved the story to 1912 for time-line issues. Perhaps it was then coincidental that the real person, the real actress Maud Adams lost the man she loved. She was dissolute. She burned all her possessions and joined a convent. The rest of the story draws heavily on the facts of Maud Adams early life The real Maud Adams was also beautiful, darling, the most cherrished American actress of her day. The film used some of Maud Adams real photos as a child and as a young actress.

The people who made the film decided they would change the name to Elise McKenna because at that time there was a fairly well known actress by the name of Maud Adams. And anyway, the name Maud isn’t as romantic as Elise. Right?

I’d love to see a serious remake of the film. The book, Bid Time Return, now called by the movie title, is much more detailed and dramatic, and follows the film story-line pretty well.

I found my Elise, 15 years ago. She’s not an actress and her name is not Elise, but she’s sweet, feminine, natural, wholesome, and, the strange part is, she loves me.

Waiting for the right person is so important, the one you know should be yours. But you have to go for it; if you know in your heart it seems meant to be, that she (or he) is the one. You should then pursue your love, let nothing stand in your path. I did. It was incredibly difficult and took me three years. I’m 16 years older so that was a factor for awhile. But no longer. We’re so happy together, so in love. And through the years, we always find those special moments together, the moments which come to be the most peculiar moments of our lives.