CRACK IN THE WORLD

US, 1965, 96 minutes, Colour.
Dana Andrews, Janette Scott, Kieran Moore, Alexander Knox.
Directed by Andrew Marton.

Crack in the World is popular science-fiction of the mid-'60s. It was directed by Andrew Marton, an action director and second unit director for action films of the '50s. The film has a competent international cast.

Despite the Saturday matinee style of the film, it is enjoyable science-fiction. It shows earnest scientists trying to work the earth's inner energy but almost causing the world's destruction.

There is an emphasis on special effects - but the intention the film seems to be a warning about megalomaniaca1 scientists and their belief in themselves at the expense of concern for the world its future. The film can be seen as one of several films of early '60s concerned about nuclear development and nuclear destruction. Specific films on the theme at the time-included Panic in Year Zero, Dr. Strangelove, Fail Safe and Seven Days in May. This has something of the same message - but for a wider audience and more popular style.

1. An enjoyable science-fiction film? Enjoyable science-fiction? The importance of the setting in the present, a dangerous present, warnings for the future? A moralising science-fiction fable?

2. How pessimistic the outlook of the film - the universe, humankind's role, destructive potential? The optimism in human ability to control - even mistakes? The picturing of the universe as bigger than humankind, energy, humanity within this universe find his needs? Human beings playing God?

3. The film as a product of the mid-'60s, the background of the nuclear scares of the time? The relevance of the film in later decades?

4. The plausible beginning of the film: the presentation of the project, Sorenson and his reputation as a scientist, Maggie and her work and devotion to Sorenson, the commissioners and the audience entering with them and surveying the project? The presentation of Ted's objections and Sorenson having him out of the way? Hopes, a positive outlook for the harnessing of energy? The overlooking of risks?

5. The character of Sorenson? The scientist and his skills, the temptation to play God? The importance of illness and urgency? His willingness for risks for his own goals? His marriage to Maggie, love of her yet his jealousy? Pushing her out of his life? His support from his staff? His downplaying of Ted's objections? His persuasiveness with the commissioners? A credible scientist? (The implication that humanity and its future, risks in science, are dependent on personalities such as this.)

6. How attractive a character was Maggie? As a woman, scientist, relationship with Ted, her choosing to marry Sorenson, her wanting the child and being hurt by her husband? Alienation, her relationship with Ted, letters, meeting him? Fostering the jealousy in her husband? Yet her support of him in the project, in his illness?

7. How interesting was the demonstration of the possibility for the crack in the world? Was the audience sufficiently aware of risks? To make a judgment about the project going on or not?

8. The character of Ted, his arrival, realisation that he was out of the way of the commissioners, his objections, the importance of his trip to London and the persuasion of the commissioners? His loyalty in trying to remedy the crack in the world?

9. The build-up to the explosion, the melodrama of the phone call and Sorenson not taking it? The initial reaction to the press conference? The contrast with failure, the amount of destruction of cities, the huge number of lives lost? The scientific data? Lack of fear of its authenticity? Did it please the audience what happened? Is such a crack possible?

10. The effect of failure on Sorenson, his illness, accepting the consequences of his taking risks, not taking them, guilt? His collaboration in trying to remedy the situation? His desperation at the end? Still the scientist, even trying to record before his death?

11. Audience interest in the investigation, underwater photography, the new bomb and its being close to the volcano, risks and death? The nature of heroism and the need? The background of science and trying to get solutions? The commission, the army and the points of view? Havoc?

12. The irony of the crack's changing direction, converging at the project? The melodramatic background, especially the tram load of people and its crashing?

13. How integrated into the science plot were the human elements, the marriage triangle, the bonds between Ted and Maggie, her returning to her husband, their trying to save him, slaving at the end? The possibility of the future with them?

14. Colour, African location, geography, music, scientific special effects, special disaster effects? Melodramatic aspects?

15. A moral fable in scientific clothes? The point of the fable?