It’s another solid release (well re-release) of a classic film from Twilight Time with Journey to the Center of the Earth. The film does come across as dated not so much for its effects, which are still impressive for its time, but the pacing isn’t the best.. Even so, it’s still a fun flick to check out and one of the better Journey film adaptations.
Journey to the Center of the Earth
(1959)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Adventure, Drama
Twilight Time | G – 129 min. – $29.99 | March 8, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Henry Levin Writer(s): Jules Verne (novel); Walter Reisch and Charles Brackett (screenplay) Cast: Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker, Alan Napier DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), English (DTS-HD MA 2.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase Journey to the Center of the Earth
on Blu-ray from Screen Archives **
THE MOVIE
Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale about a band of intrepid explorers descending in the hidden reaches of our world is brought to the screen in phantasmagoric CinemaScope with Journey to the Center of the Earth. Braving exploding volcanoes, tumbling rockslides, and flesh-eating reptiles, James Mason stars as a courageous if irascible geologist, Pat Boone as his indomitable young assistant, and Ariene Dahl as a lovely widow who becomes an invaluable colleague on their voyage of discovery.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.5/5
Unfortunately for such a classic film, the features are limited to a Commentary with Actress Diane Baker and Film Historians Steven C. Smith & Nick Redman which is educational providing information on some of the special effects used; and a Theatrical Trailer (3:20; SD).
Also included is the usual essay booklet.
VIDEO – 4.5/5
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) sets out onto Blu-ray (again) and is presented in its original 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer from a new 4K restoration. The transfer is very well done with amazing and deep colors, detail levels are sharp and outside of a couple dust marks, it appears to be a clean-looking transfer with no obvious scratch marks or other ailments. Considering the film’s age, going on 55 years, the work done is especially impressive.
This is a re-release with a much needed new transfer which will please fans.
AUDIO – 4.25/5
The disc includes both a 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track and as with the video, it’s a very nice upgrade over any previous releases. Dialogue levels are nice and clear, the occasional music cue or, in odd places, on-screen music, comes through with good clarity. The more adventure-oriented scenes provide some depth and while it’s not an entirely dynamic lossless track, with either 5.1 or 2.0 tracks, with the same limitations as the video.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, it’s another solid release (well re-release) of a classic film from Twilight Time with Journey to the Center of the Earth. The film does come across as dated not so much for its effects, which are still impressive for its time, but the pacing isn’t the best.. Even so, it’s still a fun flick to check out and one of the better Journey film adaptations.
Published: 04/07/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.