I am perplexed by some of the critics who claim that "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" (1959) was a great classic and the Spanish version falls short of the mark. In truth, this obscure version handled the story as well as could be expected -- even though 21st century breakthroughs with digital media obviously could have done something to make the dinosaurs and King Kong look more genuine.
The 1959 version was filled with childish situations and bad acting, ranging from Pat Boone's idiotic performance to James Mason doing a bad Scottish accent. The only interesting character in the whole film was Alrene Dahl, an attractive middle-aged woman with a independent personality.
"When Time Began" was a big improvement. The important thing to remember with these types of films is that many of the situations in them are ridiculous. It's ridiculous to think you can travel to the centre of the earth. It's even more ridiculous to think you can find dinosaurs there. Additionally, the 1959 version had a ridiculous scene where an erupting volcano lifted James Mason and his crew up to the surface. Don't you think they would have been burnt to a crisp before they even saw the mouth of the volcano?
But you're not supposed to ask questions like these, because the whole point of this film is to sit back and have fun. And on that basis, "When Time Began" is a lot more fun than the 1959 film. Two great reasons to see this film are Kenneth More's performance as the ambitious and dedicated scientist and Jack Taylor's performance as the mysterious and fascinating Olsen (who, it is inferred, might be the descendent of the first man to journey to the centre of the earth or some sort of alien being). These two actors not only create fascinating characters, but perhaps more importantly their characters seem right at home in the 19th century with their taboo attitudes. Taylor is a bit different, since he is both a 19th century man and also someone who appears to have a deeper understanding about what is going to happen in the future. Additionally, the sets look far more convincing than those of the previous film. You actually get a sense that these explorers are going down into caves, have reached an internal sea, have landed on an island with hostile tortoises, and have found a secret city. Are these sets the best ever? No, but they are an improvement over the sets of the 1959 film. Lastly, there are more interesting situations in this movie. I liked the beginning of this film where Professor Lindenbrook is talking to other academics first at a conference room and then at a huge Icelandic library. I liked the scene where they descend into the caves, the different kinds of dinosaurs, and Jack Taylor inject a bit more mystery and spice into this movie and the scientific profession.
So if you are looking for a fun version of this Jules Verne classic, this film is worth a gander. It's not the best by any means, but it is entertaining enough to inspire the imagination and hold your interest to the end.
The 1959 version was filled with childish situations and bad acting, ranging from Pat Boone's idiotic performance to James Mason doing a bad Scottish accent. The only interesting character in the whole film was Alrene Dahl, an attractive middle-aged woman with a independent personality.
"When Time Began" was a big improvement. The important thing to remember with these types of films is that many of the situations in them are ridiculous. It's ridiculous to think you can travel to the centre of the earth. It's even more ridiculous to think you can find dinosaurs there. Additionally, the 1959 version had a ridiculous scene where an erupting volcano lifted James Mason and his crew up to the surface. Don't you think they would have been burnt to a crisp before they even saw the mouth of the volcano?
But you're not supposed to ask questions like these, because the whole point of this film is to sit back and have fun. And on that basis, "When Time Began" is a lot more fun than the 1959 film. Two great reasons to see this film are Kenneth More's performance as the ambitious and dedicated scientist and Jack Taylor's performance as the mysterious and fascinating Olsen (who, it is inferred, might be the descendent of the first man to journey to the centre of the earth or some sort of alien being). These two actors not only create fascinating characters, but perhaps more importantly their characters seem right at home in the 19th century with their taboo attitudes. Taylor is a bit different, since he is both a 19th century man and also someone who appears to have a deeper understanding about what is going to happen in the future. Additionally, the sets look far more convincing than those of the previous film. You actually get a sense that these explorers are going down into caves, have reached an internal sea, have landed on an island with hostile tortoises, and have found a secret city. Are these sets the best ever? No, but they are an improvement over the sets of the 1959 film. Lastly, there are more interesting situations in this movie. I liked the beginning of this film where Professor Lindenbrook is talking to other academics first at a conference room and then at a huge Icelandic library. I liked the scene where they descend into the caves, the different kinds of dinosaurs, and Jack Taylor inject a bit more mystery and spice into this movie and the scientific profession.
So if you are looking for a fun version of this Jules Verne classic, this film is worth a gander. It's not the best by any means, but it is entertaining enough to inspire the imagination and hold your interest to the end.