JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
US, 1959, 132 minutes, Colour.
James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Pat Boone, Diane Baker.
Directed by Henry Levin.
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is one of several versions of Jules Verne stories made spectacularly in the '50s. Verne has been filmed over many decades, even by George Melies before Verne's death. There was great impact with Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in the mid-'50s. James Mason starred as Captain Nemo and reappears here as Professor Oliver Linden Brook. At the same time Byron Haskin made From The Earth To The Moon. Verne's stories have been continually popular in succeeding decades.
This film has some enjoyable special effects but does not overdo them (almost underdoes them). Attractively filmed in Cinemascope, the film has the Hollywood style re-creation of Scotland, Iceland (looking very much studio sets) and the 19th. century. There is a motley assembly of stars - especially with Pat Boone as the hero! Arlene Dahl has a good role as an archaeologist’s widow on the expedition. There is also a featured performance by Gertrude the duck - who is ignominiously eaten by the villain after being the source of sentimental affection for the younger audience? Direction is by Henry Levin (who made Genghis Khan) who is usually noted for his light comedies and musicals. The restrained dramatic and atmospheric score is by Bernard Hermann, who scored so many of Alfred Hitchcock's films. A successful Jules Verne adventure.
1. The popularity of Jules Verne? Science, fantasy, anticipation of the 20th. century? Belief in man's progress? Adventures? The basic ingredients of myths and legends, heroes and heroines, quests and exploration?
2. Colour photography, wide screen? Re-creation of Scotland in the 19th. century? Iceland? Landscapes and atmosphere? Sets? Special effects - the variety of locations for the centre of the Earth, rooms, lights, seas, lava? Prehistoric animals? The musical score and its atmosphere?
3. Audience expectations of such adventures: the establishment of the expedition, difficulties, exploration and adventure, dangers- and crises? Relationships? Sense of achievement? Rescue? Acclaim? How well were these conventions presented - as expected, better? Characters?
4. The plausibility of Jules Verne’s stories? The establishing of the Edinburgh atmosphere? Professor Lindenbrook and his work, manner? His university associates? Family life – Jenny, the assistance of Alec? The gift, the discovery of the writing, the quest? The university authorities and their questions? The Swedish professor stealing the information? The move to Iceland? The murder, the kidnappings? The rescue by Hans? The encounter with Carla and gaining the gear for the expedition? The expedition itself, the mad descendant of the explorer dogging their tracks? The range of adventures, prehistoric monsters, centre of the Earth oceans? The rescue? The relationships?
5. Professor Lindenbrook and his intensity? Skills, the crusty ill-mannered professor? The danger with the Swedish professor? The mad descendant? His imperious manner, Carla and her giving him the equipment? His relationship with Alec, treatment of Hans? The clashes with Carla? His sense of responsibility, rescuing Alec? The final acclaim? The romantic touch with the proposal to Carla? Adventure storybook hero?
6. Alec as young hero - Pat Boone in the role (even to singing)? The relationship with Jenny? Devotion to the professor? Naivety? His becoming lost, experiencing danger, the encounter with the madman? His role in the expedition? The final rescue in the convent? Reunited with Jenny? Conventional hero?
7. Carla as widow, wanting to go on the expedition, the points made about feminism? Her place in the adventure, dangers? Clashes with Oliver? The happy ending?
8. Jenny and her devotion to Alec and worry about him?
9. Hans and his rescue, help with the voyage, translation? His strength? The humour with Gertrude and her help during the expedition, the impact of her being killed and eaten by the villain!
10. The villain - descendant of the explorer, wanting to be king of Inner Earth, his madness. power, violence? His help with the expedition? The killing of Gertrude? His death?
11. The murder mystery aspects at the beginning to give a flavour to the film? Introducing the dangers?
12. The various crises through the journey - the arduous nature of the walk, the cliffs and caverns, the possibility of falling, the jewels, the floods, the inland sea, the monsters, the lava? Audience response to these effects?
13. Family entertainment? The imagination of Jules Verne and the vistas of science fiction? His belief in the wonders of nature? In man's capacity for investigation? An optimistic outlook on human nature?
