Beulah Bram
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
Michael Ledo
I grew up watching this film every time it came on TV. I have never out grown this classic. None of the various "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" films are accurate adaptations of the book. In fact I was a bit disappointed reading the book after seeing the film. It lacked the drama and conflict of the motion picture. The acting was great, even down to the supporting cast.I have always believed this is a film that could be done better with all the modern CG stuff. To date it hasn't. While the backdrop has gotten better, the storyline and acting does not come up to snuff with this 1959 studio film where the rocks are flat and smooth for safe walking. The soundtrack is the old time drama/thriller music used in every film. It worked very well.For my money, this is the one to own. Good movie for the whole family to enjoy.
Leofwine_draca
This is without a doubt one of the most lavish-looking B-movies ever made. Based on Jules Verne's classic tale, which has been filmed countless times, this is by far one of the best films made of his work. To modern audiences, it may seem a little overlong at two hours plus, and perhaps even boring in places (indeed, there is little action in the first hour - it's not until the sixty minute mark that they actually look like going somewhere), but to me these factors just make the film feel more and more like the epic it is.The film kicks off by introducing us to the two leads, played by James Mason and Pat Boone. Boone is shown as being in love with a serving girl, who comes off as completely stupid as the film progresses. As far as being an actor, Boone is fairly bland but a jolly enough chap - and amusing to watch him break into song at every available moment (during their descent into the caverns, Mason's Professor Lindenbrook mutters "let's have a tune, lads", and immediately the legendary crooner's vocal talents are echoing through the tunnels and probably frightening the troglodyte creatures living down there).James Mason, the film's only A-list actor, is professional and excellent in his commanding role as the party's leader. He plays a stuffy, old-fashioned professor, incredibly sexist in today's light, who doesn't take stick from anybody. Mason gives the right tongue in cheek touch to his performance to make it consistently entertaining. As far as leading ladies go, Arlene Dahl isn't bad either, and her strong personality makes a refreshing change from the usual submissive, bubble-headed blonde seen in films of this era. Peter Ronson is the fourth member of the group, and his role is seeming for comic relief value only - oh, and to provide a strongman (despite his toned physique, Boone comes off as a bit of a wimp).Thayer David is the only other main member of the cast, and he plays the film's unnecessary "baddie" who could quite easily be excised with little consequence - his presence is just to provide a few shocks and moments of excitement when he threatens our heroes with a gun. David is the spitting image of Patrick Wymark, but only has a one-dimensional role. Despite him tagging along with the group for half the time (not sure why - just a plot device I think), we never really get to know him or his personality as we do the others. His ultimate death is extremely obvious in coming, and perhaps the only reason for his existence was so somebody could die at the finale to make things a bit more dramatic.The underground world is handled nicely and kept realistic-looking (aside from one key factor, discussed later), unlike the later under-world exploits of AT THE EARTH'S CORE, complete with childish pink jungle and silly cardboard sets. The photography is crisp and clear and you really have to see the widescreen version for true impact - it really brings out the splendid sets, sometimes obviously studio-bound but still fine. The moment where Mason and David discover an underground ocean is truly spectacular, and believable too. You feel like you're there.The only thing that slightly lets this film down are the special effects. In particular, the film's monsters. The creatures here are portrayed in that old-fashioned technique of simply sticking a fin to a lizard and blowing it up to large size. Cheap, no doubt, but hardly creative. The monsters also pose little threat and sadly are given little screen time, which comes as a disappointment to a monster-fan like me. At least their appearance makes way for the film's single shocking moment, where one of them gets speared to death and the others immediately jump on the bloody corpse and proceed to cannibalise it.The film's ending may be a little far-fetched, with our heroes rocketing to the surface inside an erupting volcano, and contrived isn't the word for it - amazing how they just "happen" to find an instant escape route just as their journey comes to an end and they find the previous explorer's skeleton. But the bubbling rivers of lava and collapsing "lost city" are beautifully done and a treat to watch. As a feast for the eyes, you can't get much better than this, even if it is an old-fashioned and somewhat tame film by today's standards.
Prismark10
This is a fantastic film. I watched it as a small child and the memories stayed with me since then. A fantastical film based on Jules Verne's book. James Mason is perfectly cast as Edinburgh Professor Lindenbrook who embarks on his journey when he comes across a piece of strange Volcanic Rock.Along with one of his students, the widow of a rival explorer, athletic Icelander Hans and his duck they try to reach the centre of the earth. They come across subterranean oceans with giant mushrooms, whirlpools, giant lizards. lost civilisations. Hans duck is in danger from a rival aristocratic explorer.The whole film is an adventurous ride with a lot of humour, some dastardly bad guys and a wonderful score. The special effects may now look aged but it is a film worth exploring.
montecellic
Great memories of watching this movie on what turned out to be the last night of my carefree youth..."Journey to the Center of the Earth" is a well-produced family-friendly film with a good cast and gorgeous cinematography. James Mason is perfect as is Arlene Dahl. Pat Boone even sings one of his ballads.The special effects are quite good and the whole thing is pleasant diversion that leaves you feeling good at the end.For me, the film has unforgettable meaning: I saw it at mom's house the night before my grandmother had a stroke, an event which triggered a series of strokes in my mother as well. I lost them both and the family never fully recovered. So whenever I see this film's title, it reminds me of that last, "perfect" day at my long-gone home.
