Norman's Awesome Experience is a 1989 Canadian time-travel adventure comedy written and directed by Paul Donovan. Shot under the title A Switch in Time, the film was retitled to capitalize on the success of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (also 1989). In spite of its seeming derivative nature, Norman's Awesome Experience is notable for breaking new ground in the subgenre for a variety of artistic choices. First, the central characters are brought back in time by a freak accident in which none of them was an active participant, their presence was not known to the scientists nearby, and time-travel was not the intent of the experiment; therefore the characters are unable to return home and do not bother attempting to get back, nor do they concern themselves with the possibility of changing history. Secondly, the Parisian locale of the film is about to be annexed by the Roman Empire at the time the protagonists arrive. Only those protagonists able to speak Latin (presented with English subtitles) or accompanying those who do are able to effectively function in the society, although the Gallic people native to the area speak a primitive tongue requiring Norman to communicate in gestures. Finally, in addition to the ability to converse in Latin, Norman has a rudimentary technical understanding of many modern devices and is able to use his knowledge to actively alter history. The film ends with Norman using hot air balloons to defeat the Roman army to prevent the village's annexation by the Empire. This activity is photographed and makes it into a book that the photographer and his model girlfriend (neither of whom can speak Latin) are forced to help manufacture on a primitive printing press operated by a group of galley slaves of which they are a part.

External linkes

• Norman's Awesome Experience on IMDb