Somewhere in Time - Made in Michigan Romantic Movie

Somewhere in Time is a 1980 film starring Christopher Reeve, Christopher Plummer and Jane Seymour. It is a time travel romance that has become somewhat of a cult hit with fans.

The movie is based on the novel Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson and has also become a part of Michigan trivia as the setting is at the beautiful Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Learn more about the film and its stars here. If it tugged at your heartstrings years ago, you'll find you're not alone.

"Come back to me."

The movie opens with the scene of an elderly woman placing a pocket watch in the hands of playwright Richard Collier on the opening night of his college production.

"Come back to me" she says to a confused Richard.

He has no idea who she is but years later will come to know how this mysterious lady will change his life and bring him his greatest joy and worst tragedy.

Time passes and Richard is a successful playwright whose love relationship has ended. He can't concentrate on his writing and takes a holiday to clear his head.

He ends up at the Grand Hotel. He finds himself drawn to the picture of the beautiful Elise McKenna, an early 20th-century stage actress. His attraction becomes an obsession after he learns that the elderly woman who presented him with the watch and Elise are one in the same.

He must travel back in time, and through the strength of mind and will he succeeds. But the love story isn't meant to last between these time-crossed lovers.

This is one of my favorite sad love stories. With the stellar cast and mix of fantasy and romance I just swoon (the sappy romantic that I am).

Superman himself, Christopher Reeve, plays playwright Richard Collier. This was one of his earliest roles and he did it very well.

It's somewhat bittersweet to see him at his peak knowing the terrible accident he would suffer later and the subsequent spinal injury. He died in 2004 after battling complications from his injury.

See below for links about the actor and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation devoted to finding cures for spinal cord injury and other nervous system problems.

Jane Seymour, an English actress, was the miniseries queen in the 80's and 90's. She portrays actress Elise McKenna in the film.

She doesn't understand why Richard Collier has such and affect on her, but she gives into it completely which might be why romantic saps like me love this film. Soul mate stories always get us.

Ms. Seymour has always had a special quality about her. I remember her from 80s miniseries and the long-lived TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

She's acted in everything from dramas to comedies and even took a turn on Dancing with the Stars.

She's done extensive work with charities and in the year 2000 was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Some of the charities she's involved with are Child Help, City Hearts, the American Red Cross, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Her talents don't stop there. She's also a painter, author and jewelry designer. She designed her famous open heart diamond pendant in honor of her mother who encouraged her to keep an open heart.

Elegant actor Christopher Plummer plays Elise McKenna's manager William Fawcett Robinson. He will stop at nothing to keep the two lovers apart.

I wasn't alive when Christopher Plummer starred in The Sound of Music, one of the most celebrated musicals of all time. But I've seen the film on TV numerous times and am always struck by the actor's versatility.

He's an accomplished stage and screen actor and winner of many awards including the Emmy and Tony.

Richard Collier takes his holiday at The Grand Hotel. In the film, this is a setting near Richard, but in reality it was filmed at the hotel of the same name on Mackinac Island, Michigan.

This beautiful island getaway is a step back in time itself. Motor vehicles are prohibited. Visitors can rent a bike or catch a ride on one of the many horse-drawn carriages. Surrounded by Lake Huron, Mackinac Island was the perfect setting for this timeless romance.

Learn about the history and more at the Official Mackinac Island website.