11 reviews
I was looking for this series for years because I never knew the title. In Holland the show was known as "Monster Planet" and everybody else,as well as I,called it the "Mud Monsters".
Does anyone know if this show is available on VHS or DVD? Or else,a BIG begging to every TV-station in Holland to run this show again,please please!!
I saw it about 10 years ago and those monsters,especially Mr. Wilberforce: the alien chief.I will find quite funny now,but still I want to see it again.
Does anyone know if this show is available on VHS or DVD? Or else,a BIG begging to every TV-station in Holland to run this show again,please please!!
I saw it about 10 years ago and those monsters,especially Mr. Wilberforce: the alien chief.I will find quite funny now,but still I want to see it again.
- erwan_ticheler
- Jan 31, 2003
- Permalink
Red-headed twins Rachel and Theo Matheson discover they are all that stands between the safety of the Earth and the evil Wilberforces - giant shape-changing alien slugs intent on conquering the planet for their own ends in this excellent t.v adaptation of Maurice Gee's classic children's novel.
When I think of the many iconic science fiction/adventures that enhanced my imagination as a child, 'Under The Mountain' is up there with Jules Verne. The tale of two children visiting their aunt and uncle in the city one summer only to become embroiled in a battle to save their very world is every bit as engaging as 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth', and Gee is rightly celebrated for it. From the spooky houses and scary monsters to the claustrophobic chases and wise and mysterious elders, the story contains all the elements that excite the young mind without ever being excessive or gratuitous, while its overall plot and themes would not be out of place in Doctor Who and will entertain those of all ages. However, the very New Zealand flavour of the tale is also very much a part of its appeal.
Shot on location in Auckland where the tale is largely set (and arguably celebrates), the city's urban and volcanic landscapes are used to good effect, from the calm waters of Takapuna to the rugged natural basalt monolith of Rangitoto Island. It's clearly an Auckland of an earlier, simpler time that with every passing year gains a tinge of romanticism, which the well-paced production incorporates into its overall charm. It features a cast of then-regulars in New Zealand television (the ever-active Roy Billing should be familiar to fans of 'Children Of The Dog Star') some of whom are still quite active today. Child leads Kirsty Wilkinson and Lance Warren give a solid effort throughout, the fact that they are new to acting being only readily apparent through adult eyes, which even then is not hugely glaring.
The production values meanwhile are of their time, and doubtless will invite unflattering comparisons to the Jonathan King remake, but I find they still hold up just enough to serve their purpose, from the alien prosthetics to the many pre-cgi video effects, all of which are accentuated by the effective sound production of Neil Newcombe and memorable score supplied by Bernie Allen, who gives the show its striking theme fanfare.
Ken Catran's teleplay strays at times from the novel, memorably in the climax to episode 1, clearly out of concern that younger viewers will need a hook to bring them back each week. This aside however, Catran is fairly faithful to the text to the point that whenever I re-read it, the teleplay supplies the imagery.
'Under The Mountain' made it to DVD in 2008, with absolutely no expense spent on preserving the film or producing even the most basic of extras - an unimpressive practice TVNZ has repeated with subsequent releases of their classic serials, showing little respect for their own archives. Nonetheless, these are the clearest prints you're going to find, so given that this was something I unquestioningly had to add to my collection, my compromise was to wait until I found a discounted price to match TVNZ's almost-discounted effort.
For me, 'Under The Mountain' was a very memorable sci-fi series from my youth and something I think would be just as entertaining to children today. Highly recommended.
When I think of the many iconic science fiction/adventures that enhanced my imagination as a child, 'Under The Mountain' is up there with Jules Verne. The tale of two children visiting their aunt and uncle in the city one summer only to become embroiled in a battle to save their very world is every bit as engaging as 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth', and Gee is rightly celebrated for it. From the spooky houses and scary monsters to the claustrophobic chases and wise and mysterious elders, the story contains all the elements that excite the young mind without ever being excessive or gratuitous, while its overall plot and themes would not be out of place in Doctor Who and will entertain those of all ages. However, the very New Zealand flavour of the tale is also very much a part of its appeal.
Shot on location in Auckland where the tale is largely set (and arguably celebrates), the city's urban and volcanic landscapes are used to good effect, from the calm waters of Takapuna to the rugged natural basalt monolith of Rangitoto Island. It's clearly an Auckland of an earlier, simpler time that with every passing year gains a tinge of romanticism, which the well-paced production incorporates into its overall charm. It features a cast of then-regulars in New Zealand television (the ever-active Roy Billing should be familiar to fans of 'Children Of The Dog Star') some of whom are still quite active today. Child leads Kirsty Wilkinson and Lance Warren give a solid effort throughout, the fact that they are new to acting being only readily apparent through adult eyes, which even then is not hugely glaring.
The production values meanwhile are of their time, and doubtless will invite unflattering comparisons to the Jonathan King remake, but I find they still hold up just enough to serve their purpose, from the alien prosthetics to the many pre-cgi video effects, all of which are accentuated by the effective sound production of Neil Newcombe and memorable score supplied by Bernie Allen, who gives the show its striking theme fanfare.
Ken Catran's teleplay strays at times from the novel, memorably in the climax to episode 1, clearly out of concern that younger viewers will need a hook to bring them back each week. This aside however, Catran is fairly faithful to the text to the point that whenever I re-read it, the teleplay supplies the imagery.
'Under The Mountain' made it to DVD in 2008, with absolutely no expense spent on preserving the film or producing even the most basic of extras - an unimpressive practice TVNZ has repeated with subsequent releases of their classic serials, showing little respect for their own archives. Nonetheless, these are the clearest prints you're going to find, so given that this was something I unquestioningly had to add to my collection, my compromise was to wait until I found a discounted price to match TVNZ's almost-discounted effort.
For me, 'Under The Mountain' was a very memorable sci-fi series from my youth and something I think would be just as entertaining to children today. Highly recommended.
- sbyczkowski
- Sep 3, 2024
- Permalink
Under the Mountain is a science fiction adventure, based on the novel by Maurice Gee. Set in Auckland, New Zealand, two red haired twins called Rachel and Theo are staying with their Uncle and Aunt for a holiday.
> An old man called Mr Jones is interested in the twins for a special reason. Mr Jones is the last surviving member of an alien civilization. His people were at war with another race of creatures who go from planet to planet, turning worlds into mud and stone. The Earth will be next unless the twins can stop them. The invading aliens are shapeless, tentacled creatures who can assume human form. They are known only as the Wilberforces...
This was a very good show. The first time I saw Under the Mountain I was actually living in New Zealnd. I recognized a lot of the places Rachel and Theo went to because I was born in Auckland: the familiar volcanoes Rangitoto and Mt Eden, the district Takapuna, even the library. When I saw it again some years later I actually felt home sick. The story was also good because it wasn't too predictable. You actually wonder if Earth really has a chance when the future depends on two young twins.
> An old man called Mr Jones is interested in the twins for a special reason. Mr Jones is the last surviving member of an alien civilization. His people were at war with another race of creatures who go from planet to planet, turning worlds into mud and stone. The Earth will be next unless the twins can stop them. The invading aliens are shapeless, tentacled creatures who can assume human form. They are known only as the Wilberforces...
This was a very good show. The first time I saw Under the Mountain I was actually living in New Zealnd. I recognized a lot of the places Rachel and Theo went to because I was born in Auckland: the familiar volcanoes Rangitoto and Mt Eden, the district Takapuna, even the library. When I saw it again some years later I actually felt home sick. The story was also good because it wasn't too predictable. You actually wonder if Earth really has a chance when the future depends on two young twins.
All I remember from this show is the basic storyline. I Remember something like glowing communication "eggs"! that the twins had.
Now! here comes my Scary memories of this show: Although I recall it as being awesome, there was one thing that freaked me out. THE CAR (LOL), Stupid I know, but hey i'm not into cars except for my fascination with the Pontiac ("Original Knight Rider") and Lamborgini's (Mostly the "SL"). ANYWAY... That Black (I think - a 1930 Pontiac Two Door Sedan), ""Corrections welcome"" freaked me out. I was approx. 9 or 10 when I saw this show, (maybe even 8). Shortly after watching this show I moved into a block of flats with a parking bay underneath. Now! in this parking bay there was this "IDENTICAL" Black car which was ALWAYS there. It Never Moved (Day or Night) for +-2Yrs even after I moved again and happened to walk past on my way to school. Now at that age it made no sense whatsoever as cars are meant to move to and from places. I'm sure you see the link.
Well thats it. Would love to see it again and can't wait for the remake that is coming soon.
cya!
Now! here comes my Scary memories of this show: Although I recall it as being awesome, there was one thing that freaked me out. THE CAR (LOL), Stupid I know, but hey i'm not into cars except for my fascination with the Pontiac ("Original Knight Rider") and Lamborgini's (Mostly the "SL"). ANYWAY... That Black (I think - a 1930 Pontiac Two Door Sedan), ""Corrections welcome"" freaked me out. I was approx. 9 or 10 when I saw this show, (maybe even 8). Shortly after watching this show I moved into a block of flats with a parking bay underneath. Now! in this parking bay there was this "IDENTICAL" Black car which was ALWAYS there. It Never Moved (Day or Night) for +-2Yrs even after I moved again and happened to walk past on my way to school. Now at that age it made no sense whatsoever as cars are meant to move to and from places. I'm sure you see the link.
Well thats it. Would love to see it again and can't wait for the remake that is coming soon.
cya!
My sister and I saw this on Nickelodeon when we were children (in the 80's sometime) and it completely messed with our heads. It made us afraid to walk by a large bush in our neighborhood, because it was the same shape as the slug people. To be honest, I don't remember many of the details of the plot, but I have thought about this show until now (I'm in my 30's), and my sister and I still reminisce about it, and I'm sure there are others out there like us! This and "The Tomorrow People" are great examples of the innovative, weird, and challenging programming of Nickelodeon of the 80's- It's dark and strange, and even though it scared me, I am nostalgic for those times!
this aired on nickelodeon in the states back, hell, musta been 1983-85ish, as part of an anthology show called the third eye...others were "children of the stones" (now on region 2 pal dvd) and the haunting of cassie somebody...i was just a child when these shows were on, only 7 or nine, but i remember them capturing my imagination, and being able to follow the plots, for all of their convolutedness, because these shows didn't play down to kids, they embraced the imaginative nature of childhood and set us free to figure out what was going on...as i say, anyone has this anywhere, PLEEEEESE let me know, i'd simply revel in seeing this again...original tomorrow people too, if you please...and thank you.... hehehe...my stepbrother and i used to play under the mountain in the field behind my house...rainy days was for bad guy (muddy) parts, and clear was for the twins...no, neither of us played the girl...i was usually mr. jones....
- cpeterson-3
- Apr 6, 2005
- Permalink
I saw this when I was extremely young and it scared the living daylights out of me too! I was scared just going to bed in the night time for ages after , it really was scarier than anything else i ever saw when i was younger or anything I've ever seen since! Strangely enough i am a little nostalgic for the same reasons, would be interesting to see it now. The monsters were extremely scary and as far as I can remember there were no points when I actually felt the characters were safe. If I remember correctly the children had two rings or stones, blue and red and they had to somehow use them together to destroy the swamp like monsters. I think it ended well or with some sort of possibility in the future that the alien things would return.
- sara_teresa
- May 16, 2006
- Permalink
You people DO know that there is a book of "Under the Mountain" by Maurice Gee, right? I mean, you'd be surprised how many people have seen a film and said, "Wow, that was amazing but I couldn't make head nor tails of it," when there's a written version waiting in the nearest library! I didn't even know that there was a filmed version until today!
Summary of Under the Mountain Theo and Rachael are redheaded twins from New Zealand. They learn at an early age that they are different as they can each find objects the other has hidden by reading the thoughts of their companion. Their powers are discovered by Jones, a member of a wise alien race who is searching for just such a pair of twins to use as a powerful weapon that will kill off the wilberforces, another alien race imprisoned on earth whose single goal is to destroy and conquer planets. Unfortunately the wilberforces have also discovered the true nature of the twins and are out to find them. Rachael and Theo must learn to use the weapon and overcome the pain it causes them before the Wilberforces wake up properly and destroy the planet
Summary of Under the Mountain Theo and Rachael are redheaded twins from New Zealand. They learn at an early age that they are different as they can each find objects the other has hidden by reading the thoughts of their companion. Their powers are discovered by Jones, a member of a wise alien race who is searching for just such a pair of twins to use as a powerful weapon that will kill off the wilberforces, another alien race imprisoned on earth whose single goal is to destroy and conquer planets. Unfortunately the wilberforces have also discovered the true nature of the twins and are out to find them. Rachael and Theo must learn to use the weapon and overcome the pain it causes them before the Wilberforces wake up properly and destroy the planet