• PROGRAMME
• SYNOPSES

Journey to the Center of the Earth

1. Original Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth
2. Author: Walter Reisch, Charles Brackett
3. Director: Henry Levin
4. Music: Bernard Herrmann
5. Effetti speciali / Special effects
   L.B. Abbott,
   James B. Gordon, Emil Kosa jr
6. Starring:
   James Mason,
   Pat Boone,
   Arlene Dahl
7. Production: 20th Century Fox
8. USA
9. 130 min.
10. 1959

An inscription on a lavic rock indicates that the crater of a volcano in Iceland leads directly to the center of the Earth. The message was left by a famous explorer and valiant champion of the existence of an underground world who has gone missing. Professor Lindenbrook from Edinburgh arranges an expedition to Iceland with three colleagues but their mission is hampered by the crazy and malicious Count Saknussem, a descendent of the missing explorer. Despite various obstacles and hazards, Lindenbrook attains his goal. A film adaptation of this novel by great Jules Verne had already been attempted in 1909. For this second version, Levin, a prolific director specialized in westerns, had a very generous budget at his disposal. His only intention was to entertain in a fantastical and spectacular manner, without any psychological pretences. The film succeeded in remaining loyal to the underlying spirit of the novel, with the exception of some artistic liberties such as the love story between the austere professor and his charming colleague. Even if the characters are roughly sketched, they can be humourous at times. Professor Lindenbrook is one of those methodical scholars who are utterly devoted to science and whose enthusiasm for new discoveries turns them into tireless and reckless explorers of fantastical worlds. It goes without saying that this sort of film places great emphasis on settings and natural landscapes and can easily be compared to sci-fi movies of the same period, in which some remarkable scenes contrast with less successful ones where tricks are immediately obvious, (such as iguanas disguised as prehistoric monsters). Once again, Bernard Herrmann’s musical score is commendable.