Journey to the Center of the Earth

Director: Henry Levin

Stars: Pat Boone, Diane Baker, Arlene Dahl, James Mason

Year: 1959 Running Time: 132 mins Rating:

Edinburgh professor Alex McEwen (Pat Boone) leads a gang of explorers down an extinct Icelandic volcano to the earth's centre. There they discover their own Jurassic Park of scavenging dinosaurs. This classic kids' adventure yarns stands up pretty well thanks to a strong performance from James Mason and some impressive special effects for the time. Pat takes time out to warble My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose.

Review

This spectacular adaptation of a Jules Verne adventure yarn is great fun, and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including special effects, art direction and set decoration.

Highlights of the journey undertaken by James Mason, Pat Boone, Arlene Dahl and company include excellent prehistoric reptiles that pre-date Jurassic Park by more than 30 years, a magnetic storm and a terrifying earthquake.

Bernard Herrmann's clangorous score underlines the excitement at crucial stages. And Boone sings - of course.