Journey to the Center of The Earth

This review is written as part of a Science Fiction Write Off hosted by AlventiAsylum in honor of Star Trek: Voyager’s last episode. Thanks to Patti for inviting me to join in! If you’d like to read more on this topic, please check out my fellow participants listed at the bottom of the page.

While not a Star Trek buff, I do keep my eye on the Sci-Fi channel pretty regularly to make sure I’m not missing anything exciting. I generally enjoy the horror genre over Science Fiction, but sometimes when the lines are blurred, I can enjoy a healthy dose of both.

I’m one of those odd people who had a happy childhood. Therefore, I like to surround myself with things that remind me of that happy time. One of those things is the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth based on the Jules Verne classic book by the same name. Though the movie premiered 11 years before my own birth, I was entranced by it as a child in a way that Star Wars just couldn’t match. Star Wars was about a battle in space on planets far away in a time to come. A Journey to the Center of the Earth was about a more grounded place, one I was familiar with and fascinated by. What child doesn’t dream of digging to the center of the Earth in their sandbox?

Journey to the Center of the Earth has something for everyone: love, adventure, intrigue and even a little music. It is as interesting and entertaining to me now as it was when I was a child. Do we have more advanced movies around now? Well, of course. However, some tales are classic and Journey to the Center of the Earth falls into this category. Would you consider an updated Gone With the Wind to be better than the original because of advances made in the film making industry? Well, of course not! Same applies here.

This movie debuted in 1959, so the special effects couldn’t compete with Star Wars on a technical level, but are nonetheless breathtaking. Some of the scenes were filmed in Carlsbad Caverns to give the illusion of going underneath the earth, and they are very believable! There are some scenes that appear to be a little silly, such as the dinosaur scenes deep below the surface of Earth, but hey, it’s the 50’s. While some of the songs will make you cringe, the score of the movie is dynamic and imposing. You actually feel the danger involved in going on this journey.

The cast is superb and their acting makes this impossible story absolutely believable! James Caan plays a wonderful Sir Oliver Lindenbrook, famed scientist of Scotland. His sidekick, Alec McKewin, is played by Pat Boone, who unfortunately feels the need to sing at given intervals. Do not let this deter you from seeing this film. He does a fine job of acting, even if he comes off a little corny. Another notable actress who lends a bit of friction to our subterranean adventure is Carla Guterbald.

The movie begins when Alec gives Sir Oliver a lava rock that actually encases a clue to the center of the earth. They set out on the journey after many mishaps, including Carla Guterbald’s husband trying to steal their thunder. Finally they are on their way, but the going is not easy. They will encounter perils such as rocks falling, phosphorescent watery pits, floods, hunger and an evil villain following them! They even find the lost city of Atlantis while down there! You will have to watch it yourself to see whether or not they all emerge from the earth’s depths alive and well.

No one will dispute the fact that Jules Verne is a name synonymous with Science Fiction, but the movie, too is just as much a classic in it’s own right as the novel itself. A wholesome movie with no foul language and plenty of adventure; you’ll be glad to enjoy it with your kids.

Please take the time to check out the other fine participants of this write-off: adjensen, Mom2TyZick, klywood, telynor, hazelwebster, cntaur5, lisaatucla, three_ster, aliventiasylum