Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959 film)
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| Journey to the Center of the Earth | |
|---|---|
 1959 movie poster |
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| Directed by | Henry Levin |
| Produced by | Charles Brackett |
| Written by | screenplay by Charles Brackett & Walter Reisch from the novel by |
| Starring | Pat Boone James Mason Arlene Dahl Diane Baker Peter Ronson Thayer David |
| Music by | Bernard Herrmann |
| Cinematography | Leo Tover |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | December 16, 1959 |
| Running time | 132 min |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Journey to the Center of the Earth is a 1959 adventure film adapted by Charles Brackett from the novel by Jules Verne. It stars Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Peter Ronson, Diane Baker, Thayer David, and Alan Napier. It was directed by Henry Levin.
This film is also known as Trip to the Center of the Earth.
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[edit] Overview
An Edinburgh professor is intriqued by a strange rock given to him by one of his pupils. Uncovering its secret leads him and a few other hardy individuals to a dangerous journey that may have no return.
The film is more notable not for what it contains, but for what it contains because of when it was made, when special effects were still largely unheard of in Hollywood.
It was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Effects, Special Effects and Best Sound. It won a second place Golden Laurel award for Top Action Drama in 1960.
[edit] Plot
Professor Oliver Lindenbrook (Mason) is given a piece of volcanic rock that is much heavier than it should be. After finding a plumb bob inside and reading its cryptic inscription, he and his admiring student, Alec, discern that a previous explorer had actually found a passage to the center of the Earth and sent the plumb up as a signal. Through various transcripts and notes left by the explorer, the two discern where the entrance to the passage is.
Before they can start their journey, they discover a Professor Goetaborg, whom they asked for some help, has usurped their mission and has made plans to make the discovery before them. Finding him dead before he can start his mission, they find his lodgings filled with everything they need to mount their own expedition. Coerced into taking Goetaborg's recent widow, they start their search and are soon journeying to the heart of the Earth itself.
Strange terrain, a deranged rival scientist, breathtaking scenery and dinosaurs embellish the rest of their journey. Even coming upon the sunken city of Atlantis, the group is faced with one ominous question: How will they return to the surface?
[edit] Cast
| Actor/Actress | Role |
| James Mason | Sir Oliver Lindenbrook |
| Pat Boone | Alec McEwen |
| Arlene Dahl | Carla Goetaborg |
| Peter Ronson | Hans Belker |
| Thayer David | Count Saknussem |
| Robert Adler | Groom |
| Alan Napier | Dean |
| Diane Baker | Jenny |
| Ivan Triesault | Professor Goetaborg |
| Alex Finlayson | Professor Boyle |
