THE4TH

DIMENSIONEXHIBITION GUIDE

THE 4TH DIMENSION

The 4th Dimension: Science Fiction Exhibition (17th Novemeber 2011 - 28 February 2012) is the British Library’s first exhibition to explore science fiction, in particular Time Travel, through literature and film. It will challenge visitors’ perceptions of the genre by uncovering gems of the Library’s collections including time travel in film and television.

TIME TRAVEL IN

FILM

“Roads? Where we’re going,we

don’t need roads.”

Dr. Emmett Brown

01

THE DELOREAN

The DeLorean time machine was Doctor Emmett Brown’s most successful invention, a plutonium powered time machine comprised of a DeLorean DMC-12 sports car that had to reach 88 miles per hour in order to time travel.

Back To The Future

At least Back to the Future got it right with the DeLorean. Originally manufactured in northern

Ireland, the DeLorean DMC-12 had gull-wing doors and totally sweet brushed stainless steel paneling. Sadly, it was the only car the DeLorean Motor

Company ever produced, so that’s why you don’t hear it being called the DMC-12.

Donnie Darko is a 2001 American psychological thriller film written and

directed by Richard Kelly. The film depicts the reality-bending adventures

of the title character as he seeks the meaning and significance behind his

troubling Doomsday-related visions.

It’s October of 1988 and small town USA is about to witness the end of

the world. It’s home to Donnie Darko, a brilliant but troubled teenager,

plagued by terrifying visions which he alone knows the meaning of. With

his classmate and soulmate Gretchen and a mysterious ex-teacher nicknamed

“Grandma Death,” he must unravel the strange occurrences affecting his

school, his home and his life. He must do this before a horrifying

spectre known only as “Frank” leads Donnie to the edge of his sanity.

VORTEX/WORMHOLEDonnie Darko

02

TIME TRAVELLING PHONE BOOTH

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

This is a 1989 American science

fiction–comedy buddy film and the first

film in the Bill & Ted franchise in

which two metalhead slackers travel

through time to assemble a menagerie

of historical figures for their high

school history presentation.

02

TIME TRAVEL IN

TELEVISION

“I tolerate this

century, but I

don’t enjoy it”The Doctor

DOCTOR WHO

02DOCTOR WHO

Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the

BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known

as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the Tardis that

flies through time and space, whose exterior appears as a blue police box. Along with a succession of companions, he faces a variety of foes while working to save civilisations, help people, and right wrongs.