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At The Earth’s Core DVD Review

Director: Kevin Connor

Starring: Doug McClure, Peter Cushing, Caroline Munro, Cy Grant

Running Time: 89 minutes

Certificate: PG

Extras: None

Synopsis: On a test run of their digging machine, a teacher and an old pupil of his end up in the middle of the Earth. There they encounter strange beings, and a race of humans ruled over by prehistoric mind-controlling birds.

After the sleeper success of THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT, Amicus set out to repeat that success. Once again Doug McClure was cast in the lead of a Kevin Connor-directed adaptation of an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. Did lightning strike twice, or was this all too similar?

AT THE EARTH’S CORE starts with some up-to-date electronica which soon becomes a jaunty jig, indicating the lighter tone this film is set to take. There are a number of intentional laugh-out-loud moments thanks to the marvelous Peter Cushing, who plays dithering scientist Dr Abner Perry. He’s a man of great intellect but is physically weak. The humour often arises from his patriotism and slight xenophobic remarks. ‘So excitable, like all foreigners’, he remarks after encountering a strange race of rat men. AT THE EARTH’S CORE came just a year ahead of STAR WARS, where Cushing would go back to his evil ways.

Joining Perry on his expedition is an old student of his, David Innes (Doug McClure). The chemistry between these two is simply adorable. It’s great to see a film where the two main stars have such a strong relationship despite an age gap. Perry is a cross-between C3PO and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meanwhile Innes is both Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. These are exactly the kinds of rollicking science fiction stories that inspired greater tales later on.

It was certainly a more innocent time back then. Why let science get in the way of the fiction; People living near the Earth’s core? Sure, just run with it. The creatures here are mostly guys in suits, which certainly improves their movements from THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT. Connor is also more adventurous when including special effects and his stars together. No longer do the actors simply stand a long distance away from the beasts in the foreground. One scene has Perry bob back and forth towards a big chicken-lizard thing as he hides up a tree. Unfortunately they can’t all be winners, as demonstrated by a static fire breathing frog creature. Very ambitious, but also hysterical.

The story structure is very familiar, which was a problem for a big budget affair such as another Burroughs adaptation JOHN CARTER. Being over 30-years-old, and limited in materials not imagination, means we can forgive AT THE EARTH’S CORE for its clichés and slightly sexist and outdated views. When two men fight over a woman, the victor must claim her or release her. To do nothing is considered an insult.

Whereas THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT took itself very seriously, this film has a quirky charm thanks in most part to Cushing. He pulls of old and eccentric, but doesn’t allow us to forget he is very intelligent. When push comes to shove he is also very handy with a bow and arrow. It’s lovely to see how British filmmaking used to take chances such as these. This is the kind of film that could inspire imagination in a child, as you have to be willing to help the film when it comes to creating a realistic fantasy world.

Unfortunately this DVD has no extras, which is strange considering the director gave an interview for THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT. It would have been great to hear his experience working with Peter Cushing.

  AT THE EARTH’S CORE is out to buy on DVD 30th July.

 

Luke likes many things, films and penguins being among them. He's loved films since the age of 9, when STARGATE and BATMAN FOREVER changed the landscape of modern cinema as we know it. His love of film extends to all aspects of his life, with trips abroad being planned around film locations and only buying products featured in Will Smith movies. His favourite films include SEVEN SAMURAI, PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, IN BRUGES, LONE STAR, GODZILLA, and a thousand others.

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