Mikes Film Talk

The 2004 sci-fi drama The Ethereal Plane is a nostalgic look at time travel. It is possibly influenced by Terminator, or even Terminator 2. “Come with me if you want to live,” says no one in this low budget bit of fun. There are, however, chases aplenty and some pretty wild sequences where things come apart time-wise.

The story

Damon Taylor finds a device that alters time and dimensions. Taylor relies on the help of Kayla to save his friend Harrison from a governmental hit squad.

the main cast

Ron Rogell is Damon Taylor.

Gene Gabriel is Harrison.

Elizabeth Gallo is Kayla.

The Ethereal Plane BTS

Writer/director Clarke M Smith manages to get a lot out of a $5k budget. The FX is a tad dated now, but for the time period they work reasonably well. The story itself moves along well and there is a lot of action on offer.

Smith told us that the film itself has seen a few changes. The filmmaker provided a 44 minute cut of the film that was intended as a pilot episode. The short version works very well.

Some comedy

There are a few moments of visual levity in The Ethereal Plane. The two assassins are chasing down Harrison. He escapes from their vehicle. When the killers run after their victim, the long shot shows a Mutt and Jeff team. One appears to be about the size of Hervé Villechaize. His companion could be Richard Kiel.

The disparity in their height could be down to the dimension they traveled from. It doesn’t matter. I watched the film a couple of times and each time I fell about at the sight of them.

Kudos to all, though. The actors intent on their roles sold them faultlessly. Gabriel, as Harrison, looks suitably upset by their murderous intentions.

*Casting may have purposely chosen these two actors to jar. It certainly works.*

It works

Low/no budget aside, The Ethereal Plane works. The different timelines story, and alternate dimensions, all come together with odd disjointing moments. Despite the low budget, the time machine itself, serves its purpose. *A device that looks like a TV tuner with a knob on it. It looks suspiciously like one of those old HBO hookup boxes.*)

The digital FX is edited valiantly by Smith. The VFX is dated but it does not interfere. The entire film entertains.

Clearly there are some allusions to other time travel films. To his credit, Smith’s placing the time period in what is clearly the 80’s-90’s suits the film perfectly.

The Verdict

The Ethereal Plane earns a solid 4 stars. It entertains, even in its shortened “pilot” length. I enjoyed it. It is available to stream on YouTube.

The Trailer