Journey to the Center of the Earth
 | Directed by Henry Levin Starring: Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker, Thayer David 20th Century Fox, 1959, DVD Customer Rating: 154 reviews Recommend |
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James Mason plays Professor Oliver Lindenbrook, a scientist hoping to find the world's core in this 1959 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. He leads his unusual party on an expedition to the center of the earth, by way of a volcano in Iceland. On the way, they encounter enormous mushrooms and giant prehistoric monsters. Produced by Michael Todd with then-spectacular special effects, the story was modernized to 1950s sensibilities. Mason gives this class, while Arlene Dahl and Diane Baker are the romantic interests. And Pat Boone is more palatable than you might expect as a secondary lead. You can watch this with your children and not be bored, and they will surely love it. — Rochelle O'Gorman
The accent is on fun and fantasy in this film version of Jules Verne's classic thriller that stars James Mason, Pat Boone, and Arlene Dahl. With spectacular visuals as a backdrop, the story centers on an expedition led by Professor Lindenbrook (Mason) down into the earth's dark, threat-laden core. Members of the group include the professor's star student, Alec (Boone), and the widow (Dahl) of a colleague. Along the way lurk dangers such as kidnapping, death, sabotage by a rival explorer, and attacks by giant prehistoric reptiles. But they also encounter such magnificent wonders as a glistening cavern of quartz crystals, luminescent algae, a forest of giant mushrooms, and the lost city of Atlantis.
Remaining faithful to Verne's story, this is a sweeping adventure that offers enough thrills and entertainment to satisfy every explorer in the family.
Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Sales Rank: 708 in DVD
Actor: Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker, Thayer David
Director: Henry Levin
Studio: 20th Century Fox, 2003-03-04, Theatrical Release: 1959
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC, Acpect Ratio 2.35:1
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 129 minutes
Package Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches, 0.15 pounds
- WAS NOT 'modernized' - takes place in 19th century- 1857, I think
- interesting note-Pat Boone, famous 'rock' crooner at the time, also financed this project;
Those DIMETRODONS are spot on, unlike the beasts in 1960s THE LOST WORLD
Fun -yet dramatic film More reviews
- Family Film and Science Fiction Classic
- Impressive movie for it's time. Holds up well, and the kids liked it too.… More reviews
- oldie but a goodie
- If you enjoy movies from the past this is a great Jules Verne story to watch. Filmed in the Carlsbad caverns if you are wondering where did they find these caves. This is the original story made from the book and I really enjoy these older movies from the past. More reviews
- Excellent change of pace!
- It was good to watch a good old fashioned sci-fi movie. I recommend it for a change of pace or nostalgic view. More reviews
- Wholesome family fun
- Overall if you like films like 20,000 leagues under the sea, then you may want to try out Journey to the Centre of the Earth which is an old classic family adventure that even has a pet duck called Gertrude that goes along with Prof. Lindenbrook (James Mason) and his expedition to the centre of the earth.
It… More reviews