WHERE TIME BEGAN

UK, 1977, 87 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth More, Pep Munne.
Directed by J. Piquer Simon.

Where Time Began is a moderately entertaining Jules Verne story - from Journey to the Centre of the Earth. This was made in the late '50s on a spectacular scale with Pat Boone and James Mason. This film is more akin to the adventures made by the Kevin Connor- John Dark team e.g. At The Earth's Core. However, Kenneth More is a lively professor and there are some entertaining though slight special effects. The film seems more like a television special than a feature film. It is a continental production and is generally dubbed - and has a very quaint style of dialogue which is somewhat distracting. undemanding Jules Verne fantasy material.

1. The appeal of Jules Verne, science fantasy, 19th century anticipation of 20th century exploration? The tradition of the Jules Verne films from the beginning of the century?

2. The quality of the production, sets and special effects, monsters, storms, the presentation of the centre of the earth? The dubbed and stilted dialogue? Colour photography, the score?

3. The atmosphere of the 19th century and its imagination - the opening and the discussions about geology, descent into the earth from Iceland, imagination about the earth's core? Science and its hopes?

4. The credits and their atmosphere? The introduction of the mystery man and his book? The discussion amongst the scientists about geology? How well was this explored - for a children's audience?

5. The professor and the book, the stranger, the code and the deciphering of it? The professor and his niece and her fiance? The preparations for the adventure, the glimpse of the future city, the end and the reappearance of the stranger? The loose ends in the screenplay and their lack of resolution?

6. Kenneth More's style as the professor, dapper manner, relentless in his exploration? His relationship with the other members of the group, with Olssen? The capacity for survival, what he learnt from the expedition?

7. Axel and Glaube - romantic leads, participation in the adventure, dangers, the finale and the happy ending for them? Added human interest and romantic touch for the adventure?

8. Hans and the background of Iceland? His skills during the journey e.g. making the raft? His participation in the dangers?

9. 01ssen - the mysterious stranger, his saving Glauber from the pit, his machine and explosions, aloofness? His vision of the future? His helping them back to safety and sacrificing himself? His mysterious appearance at the end outside the bookshop?

10. The preparations for the journey, the train ride? Iceland? The seeming lack of preparation - as if they were all going on a picnic? Clothes, equipment?

11. The nature of the adventures and their range - darkness, monsters, the sea. the land, caves? The turtles? The giant mushrooms? Special effects? The final explosion? The travellers in their ordinary clothes and their being able to manage such a journey? How willing was the suspension of disbelief about these adventures?

12. What did the professor and his group learn from the journey to the centre of the earth? The usefulness of this kind of fantasy for children? Imagination., stories.. fables?