Unknown World

In the fifties, when we saw these things we believed them. We believed the effects, or rather allowed he inadequacies in the effects to pass. And we believed the science too, more or less on the same terms.

Now of course matters have changed. So far as effects, we expect more. They are still pretty junky, you know and it may be a whole generation before effects are actually indiscernible from photographed "reality." So when you watch one of these old things, there is a built in amusement value, a sort of juvenile amusement park pretense.

And on the science side too. Despite massive cold war investments in science education, just massive, the general knowledge of science in the viewing public has actually decreased since the period of this movie. Its an odd, odd coincidence that the quaint scientific artificialities here which should be seen in the same light as everything else here won't be by most.

(A recent poll shows only 40% of Americans "believe" in evolution, arguably the one theory with the most evidence accessible to a novice. Politicians who used to bolster science now actively erode it — in support of special interests, I assume.)

So.

Having said all that, this is one of the very best of scifi movies from this era. It has laughable effects, and the joke amplified knowing they weren't so laughable at one time.

It has a profound nihilistic cold war influence. The world is doomed, absolutely, because of man's blind stupidity on both sides and only scientists — of which there are dangerously few — can see the depressing truth. There are lots of great speeches here about that impending doom and a finale where the possibility of life overcoming its negative future just out of exuberant hope. Its like walking through a museum.

The story is one of those typical things, people from diverse backgrounds thrown together under stress. Death, romance, conflict, resolution.

And then there's the science. You have to know, of course that the science is utterly bogus in every respect. If you accept this, then the whole thing merges into a sort of Lynchian surrealism, a trip quite literally to another world. That's why I love this stuff. It really is a voyage to a mindset, a coherent world where everything is different expect for trivialities. Telephones still work the same way roughly. The clothes are familiar. People have the same shape. Much of the language is the same we use today. But all the stuff that matters, its part of an unknown world.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

First off, this story is loaded with scientific inaccuracies, the acting is somewhat inconsistent and the premise itself is rather preposterous. However, I found this film addictive and have watched it on a reasonably regular basis. You have a group of people, who decide that the threat of human annihilation is SO likely, it's worth the expense and risk to seek refuge deep in the bowels of the earth. This is all explained in detail in a rather convincing faux newsreel that immediately follows the opening credits. Soon, our less than harmonious crew of seven is locked together in the confines of a tunneling vehicle (called a Cyclotram) headed deep into the earth's interior completely cut off from civilization. There was animosity among some members to begin with, and now stuck together in the not–so-roomy vehicle, patience is predictably thin. Although, the science is off, the crew encounters adversities that are more realistic then most movies of this type. Such things as water shortages, UN-breathable pockets of gas, falling, boiling hot steam and indeed separation from humanity are the enemies they face. This isn't "action adventure" type science fiction, it's more drama based. Don't look for giant lizards or monsters. What makes this movie work for me is its overall dark mood. The dim photography, the music, the character's overall moods and the almost complete lack of any indigenous animal life creates a very melancholy atmosphere. I think the film does an excellent job of conveying the crew's loneliness and uncertainty. It's low budget only intensifies the somber feel. The crew even has a conversation about how their moods are changing (apparently from isolation). Because of all this, when they do discover something that seems to bring a little hope, you almost share their sense of invigoration. I wish this film would get a remastering and a decent release. Ironically the VHS version is far superior to the present DVD. For instance, the DVD is missing the first 12 seconds of the opening credits, including the entire "Lippert Pictures, Inc. Presents" and a bit of the title shot. Also the film is so poorly cropped that Marilyn Nash's name lies almost out of sight hidden the the bottom of the frame. Letters are also cropped off at the right. The newsreel has so many breaks that quite a few of the announcer's words are cut out. If you still own a VCR, it's actually worth picking up a VHS copy. You'd notice that on VHS the credits and newsreel are very much intact and the whole movie is a much better viewing experience.

Let's face it, if you're bothering to read reviews of this film, you are probably going to see it out of a sense of obligation if nothing else. So, it really doesn't matter what I say, now does it?

This is a fairly typical early 1950s not-very-scientific attempt to use the genre as a means for moralizing. The morality of this film is certainly worth listening to for its anti-war, anti-pollution, etc, messages, but the film lacks depth, science of any kind, and, basically, a compelling plot.

Being a fan of 50s sci if, I thought this film started off pretty well. Although there is no obvious crisis looming on the horizon, a scientist and a group of anti-nuke colleagues obtain grant money to explore deep within the earth for the possibility of habitable subterranean environments. Since the film was made in 1950-51, the level of concern regarding nuclear warheads is certainly understandable (too bad some have forgotten about this, eh?).

Much is made about the vehicle which they will use for this journey. The vehicle looks like a suped-up bullet nose Studebaker with a large drill bit attached to it. This vehicle is apparently capable of drilling through several hundred miles of solid rock, without any visible cooling system. As the scientists explore deeper and deeper into the earth, they are not surprised (though I was) to find that most of the crust and upper mantle (my terms, not theirs) are in fact hollow, and have not only gorgeous stalagmites and stalactites, but flat floors graded properly for people to take walks on. Harassed by noxious gasses, magma and pretty poor acting, the cast dwindles as the story devolves into a simple adventure tale.

The acting is generally uneven, and is hampered by the occasionally absurd script. I really don't want to single anybody out, but Marilyn Nash and Bruce Kellogg are particularly off-pace in this one.

The director, Terry Morse, went on to make a few good films (such as the List of Adrian Messenger), and also a lot of other films (the American version of Godzilla, and the timeless classic - not - Love Slaves of the Amazon). And this is sort of below-standard fare in the context of his filmography.

Well, OK then, go see it... You know you want to, and I am not going to stop you... But don't say you didn't have fair warning.

This is not as bad a picture as some of the other reviews suggest.

I'm not saying it's a great movie, but it IS surprisingly well done for being made with no money.

It's an odd movie in that it's not really the kind of sci fi you'd expect. There are no monsters or other creatures.

It a straightforward story about finding a alternative place to live in case of nuclear war.

It does drag a bit, but it's worth a watch.

The plot.

Dr. Jerimiah Morley becomes convinced that the world is headed to an inevitable worldwide nuclear war.

He organizes an expedition made up of a team of expert scientists and an atomic-powered rock-boring vehicle called a "cyclotram" to find a subterranean environment where holocaust survivors could live indefinitely.

When funding falls through, independently rich adventurer Wright Thompson underwrites the project under the condition that he be allowed to go.

As the group goes deeper beneath the Earth's crust, personalities clash, tempers flare, and the dangerous journey claims the lives of several expedition members.

When they come upon an enormous underground expanse with its own ocean and phosphorescent light, it appears that their goal has been achieved.

The film begins with some stock footage about nuclear war and is part of a presentation scientists are making in order to drum up support for an ark, of sorts, to be sent deep within the planet. This way, in case we have a nuclear war, the species can survive deep inside mother Earth. The story, at times, is highly reminiscent of Jules Verne's JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.

When I rented this film, I assumed based on the box cover that it was a typical low-budget 1950s sci-fi/horror film. However, to my surprise, there were no bug-eyed monsters, alligators or lizards with cheap fins pasted on or silly masked ghouls. While it certainly did not have a huge budget, the film made a genuine effort to entertain, have SOME basis in scientific facts of the day and say something about mankind. While some might find this all pretty dull, I actually enjoyed it more than I thought and in hindsight I am glad the usual silly and schlocky monsters and such were missing. Now this isn't to say this is a masterpiece. Occasionally, the characters behave a bit silly--such as their needlessly bickering (which makes no sense for such an expedition) and the science behind all this is suspect (such as the lack of differences in air pressure, the presence of drinkable water as well as breathable air over a thousand miles inside the Earth and their ability to ascend at an incredible rate without exploding!). Still, it is oddly compelling and the acting (while they weren't arguing) was pretty good. Plus, unlike JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, it's nice NOT to see dinosaurs and other creatures waiting to greet our heroes.

Final verdict--well worth a look and a decent time-passer despite some limitations.

PS--This film is from Alpha Video--one of the worst producers of DVDs out there. Fortunately, unlike many of their films which are scratchy public domain prints, this one is a very good copy and is very watchable.