''Viaje al centro de la Tierra'' (English: ''Journey to the Center of the Earth'') is a 1977 Spanish adventure film based on the 1864 novel ''

Journey to the Center of the Earth ''Journey to the Center of the Earth'' (french: Voyage au centre de la Terre), also translated with the variant titles ''A Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and ''A Journey into the Interior of the Earth'', is a classic science fiction novel ...

'' by Jules Verne. It has been released under the titles ''Where Time Began'' in theaters in the U.S. and ''The Fabulous Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' on TV in the U.K. It was a rare later leading role for Kenneth More.

Plot

A group of geologists, including Professor Otto Lidenbrock, discuss various theories on the make-up off the interior of the Earth. They decide that the only way to know for sure would be to mount an expedition to discover which theory was true. Whilst visiting a book shop, Lidenbrock (More) buys an old book, written by Arne Saknussemm, containing undisclosed, coded knowledge of the center of the Earth from a mysterious gentleman. Eager to know more, he enlists his niece Glauben and her lover Axel, a soldier. Axel is charged with keeping a diary of the journey, and often enhances his contributions to the exhibition. Upon arriving in Iceland, they hire shepherd and mountaineer Hans. Together, the four of them set off for the adventure of a lifetime to the center of the Earth. After a series of mishaps, including losing the mysterious book, about midway through their journey, Olsen, a time traveling scientist, meets the explorers. Olsen reveals to the other travelers the existence of a lost city, where clones of Olsen are conducting experiments, using a mysterious box. Olsen shows the group the flora and fauna of middle-Earth, including surviving dinosaurs. Olsen later sets off an explosion to allow the others to escape back to their home. Some years later, Glauben and Axel are married, and Hans has become a successful shepherd. Linderbrook still searches old bookstores, hoping for more information. In 1 of those shops, Linderbrook is told that a package has been left for him, and it proves to be Olsen's experimental box. Looking through the store window, Linderbrook sees Olsen, now much older, looking back at him.

Cast

Kenneth More Kenneth Gilbert More, CBE (20 September 1914 – 12 July 1982) was an English film and stage actor. Initially achieving fame in the comedy '' Genevieve'' (1953), he appeared in many roles as a carefree, happy-go-lucky gent. Films from this per ...

as Professor Otto Lidenbrock * as Axel (dubbed by

Christopher Guard Christopher Guard (born 5 December 1953) is an English actor, musician and artist. He is known for roles such as Jim Hawkins in '' Return to Treasure Island'' (1986), Bellboy in '' Doctor Who'' serial '' The Greatest Show in the Galaxy'' (1988 ...

) * Ivonne Sentis as Glauben (dubbed by

Deborah Watling Deborah Patricia Watling (2 January 1948 – 21 July 2017) was an English actress who played the role of Victoria Waterfield, a companion of the Second Doctor in the BBC television series ''Doctor Who'' from 1967 to 1968. She began her career a ...

) *

Frank Braña Frank Braña (born Francisco Braña Pérez; 24 February 1934 – 13 February 2012) was a Spanish character actor. Biography He was born Francisco Braña Pérez in Pola de Allande, Asturias, Spain on 24 February 1934. Also credited as Frank Bla ...

as Hans * Jack Taylor as Olsen * Emiliano Redondo as Professor Kristoff * Lone Fleming as Molly *

Ricardo Palacios Ricardo López-Nuño Díez (2 March 1940 – 11 February 2015), better known as Ricardo Palacios, was a Spanish actor, film director and screenwriter. Born in Reinosa (Cantabria), Palacios graduated from the Official Film School in Madrid as a ...

as a train ticket collector *

José María Caffarel José María Caffarel Fábregas (10 November 1919 – 6 November 1999) was a Spanish film actor. He appeared in more than 170 films between 1957 and 1998. He was born in Barcelona and died in Madrid, Spain. Selected filmography * '' The ...

as a professor * George Rigaud as a professor (as Jorge Rigaud) * Barta Barri as a professor *

Ángel Álvarez Ángel Álvarez (26 September 1906 – 13 December 1983) was a prolific Spanish film actor. He made over 205 film appearances between 1945 and 1982. He is probably best known for his western films of the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in Spaghe ...

as a professor

Reception

''Creature Feature'' found the movie to be sluggish and boring, giving it two out of five stars. It found the movie did improve when the dinosaurs finally appeared, but that the effects were weak. Monster Hunter found the use of shooting in a real cave to be a plus, but that there was little else of worth in the film.

Home media

The film was released on DVD in 2006

References

External links