Journey to the Center of the Earth
by Henry Levin
List Price:
Our Price: $10.49
You Save: $4.49 (30%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $6.97 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker, James Mason, Pat Boone, Thayer DavidDirector: Henry Levin
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 129 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-03-04
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Reviews of Journey to the Center of the Earth
DVD Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) Movie Review
Summary: 2 Stars
An adventurous science fiction film, 1959's Journey to the Center of the Earth is perhaps the most accurate adaptation of the outstanding Jules Verne novel of the same name. With Academy Award-nominated special effects, stunning sets, and monstrous prehistoric creatures, the film is smartly paced and essential viewing for fans of the story. Much of the dialogue attests to its age, and the many excuses to squeeze star Pat Boone's singing into the film might lessen its chance of appealing to newer audiences, but as a nostalgic Harryhausen-esque venture, it doesn't disappoint.
In 1880 Edinburgh, Sir Oliver Lindenbrook (James Mason, who takes second billing) discovers a plumb bob buried in a piece of lava rock, with a written clue from an Icelandic scientist who believed that a world existed within Earth. He sends it away to an expert for closer examination, only to discover that that expert, Professor Goteborg, has scurried away to Snaeffels to begin a journey to reach the center of the earth on his own.
Intent on besting his competition, Lindenbrook embarks on his own mission of discovery, taking his good friend and student Alec McEwen (Pat Boone) along for the ride. Before their descent into a vast crater gateway even begins, murder and deception lashes out, revealing a traitorous competitor also vying for the discovery. Goteborg turns up dead, and his widow Carla (Arlene Dahl) demands to accompany the group. Joined by trustworthy muscleman Hans (Peter Ronson) and his pet duck Gertrude, the foursome set out to retrace a vanished scientist's steps to making history.
It's no musical, but Boone quickly starts things off with the love song "Red Red Rose" for his bride-to-be Jenny. There's evening singing to Lindenbrook as he is congratulated for his recent knighthood. And never is the opportunity missed for a quick song as the group descends the volcanic crater. Is any of this in the novel? Despite the capitalizing on singing talents, the film follows more closely to the source material than any other theatrical adaptation. Seemingly misplaced humor is also thrown in, as well as ample reserves of romance. But when the film finally gets to the world within the world, it's solid science fiction and adventure.
The sets are impressive and memorable (Carlsbad Caverns served as many of the backgrounds), with giant mushroom forests, an ocean of the underworld, and the crumbled lost city of Atlantis. More exciting still is the inclusion of monstrous lizards and prehistoric creatures. Rather than stop-motion, the special effects include adding prosthetics to real reptiles, and superimposing their humongous images over the wide shots of our tiny heroes.
There's always time for tea with this group, moments for breaking out into song, terribly annoying sound effects and booming music (especially when chased by reptilian horrors), unexplainable conveniences for survival, an Indiana Jones boulder chase, and the typical "woman falling on the ground during an escape." But Journey to the Center of the Earth is still entertaining fantasy in that it brings to life the ideas explored in the Jules Verne classic science fiction novel.
- Mike Massie
DVD Review: WAS NOT 'modernized' - takes place in 19th century- 1857, I think
Summary: 5 Stars
interesting note-Pat Boone, famous 'rock' crooner at the time, also financed this project;
Those DIMETRODONS are spot on, unlike the beasts in 1960s THE LOST WORLD
Fun -yet dramatic film
DVD Review: Family Film and Science Fiction Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Impressive movie for it's time. Holds up well, and the kids liked it too.DVD Review: oldie but a goodie
Summary: 5 Stars
If you enjoy movies from the past this is a great Jules Verne story to watch. Filmed in the Carlsbad caverns if you are wondering where did they find these caves. This is the original story made from the book and I really enjoy these older movies from the past.DVD Review: Excellent change of pace!
Summary: 4 Stars
It was good to watch a good old fashioned sci-fi movie. I recommend it for a change of pace or nostalgic view.
Description of Journey to the Center of the Earth
James Mason plays Professor Oliver Lindenbrook, a scientist hoping to find the world's core in this 1959 adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. He leads his unusual party on an expedition to the center of the earth, by way of a volcano in Iceland. On the way, they encounter enormous mushrooms and giant prehistoric monsters. Produced by Michael Todd with then-spectacular special effects, the story was modernized to 1950s sensibilities. Mason gives this class, while Arlene Dahl and Diane Baker are the romantic interests. And Pat Boone is more palatable than you might expect as a secondary lead. You can watch this with your children and not be bored, and they will surely love it. --Rochelle O'GormanThe accent is on fun and fantasy in this film version of Jules Verne's classic thriller that stars James Mason, Pat Boone, and Arlene Dahl. With spectacular visuals as a backdrop, the story centers on an expedition led by Professor Lindenbrook (Mason) down into the earth's dark, threat-laden core. Members of the group include the professor's star student, Alec (Boone), and the widow (Dahl) of a colleague. Along the way lurk dangers such as kidnapping, death, sabotage by a rival explorer, and attacks by giant prehistoric reptiles. But they also encounter such magnificent wonders as a glistening cavern of quartz crystals, luminescent algae, a forest of giant mushrooms, and the lost city of Atlantis.
Remaining faithful to Verne's story, this is a sweeping adventure that offers enough thrills and entertainment to satisfy every explorer in the family.
General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Supernatural - The Complete First SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-09-05; DVD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
Supernatural - The Complete Third SeasonRelease date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $38.99
Price in other shops:
Supernatural - The Complete Second SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-09-11; DVD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
Battlestar Galactica - Season ThreeUNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2008-03-18; DVD
Best price: $36.49
Price in other shops:
Angel - Seasons 1-5 30-Disc DVD SetRelease date: 2007-10-30; DVD
Best price: $82.99
Price in other shops:
Eureka - Season TwoUNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2008-07-15; DVD
Best price: $27.99
Price in other shops:
Stargate - The Ark of TruthTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-03-11; DVD
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
Firefly - The Complete SeriesRelease date: 2003-12-09; DVD
Best price: $23.92
Price in other shops:
Stargate - ContinuumTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-07-29; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Stargate Atlantis - The Complete Fourth SeasonTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-07-08; DVD
Best price: $28.92
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Fantastic Voyage (Special Edition)TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-06-05; DVD
Best price: $9.95
Price in other shops:
This Island EarthUNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2006-08-22; DVD
Best price: $7.92
Price in other shops:
When Worlds CollideRelease date: 2001-09-25; DVD
Best price: $4.78
Price in other shops:
The Lost World (Special Edition) - 1960 & 1925 versionsRelease date: 2007-09-11; DVD
Best price: $10.66
Price in other shops:
The War of the Worlds (Special Collector's Edition)Release date: 2005-11-01; DVD
Best price: $6.81
Price in other shops:
H.G. Wells' First Men in the MoonRelease date: 2002-03-26; DVD
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
The Day the Earth Stood StillRENNIE,MICHAEL; Release date: 2003-03-04; DVD
Best price: $6.68
Price in other shops:
Mysterious Island (Widescreen)Sony; Release date: 2002-10-29; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Special Edition)Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $7.49
Price in other shops:
The Time MachineRelease date: 2000-10-03; DVD
Best price: $11.94
Price in other shops: