At the Earth’s Core is a 1976 fantasy sci-fi film about a scientist and his backer who drill into a strange underground labyrinth ruled by a species of giant telepathic birds, prehistoric monsters and cavemen.
The movie was directed by Kevin Connor (Motel Hell; The People That Time Forgot; The Land That Time Forgot; From Beyond the Grave). It was based on the fantasy novel of the same name by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first book of his Pellucidar series.
The Amicus Productions-Atkins World Enterprises co-production stars Peter Cushing, Doug McClure, Caroline Munro and Philippa Herring.
Plot:
Doctor Abner Perry (Peter Cushing), a British Victorian scientist and his US financier David Innes (Doug McClure) make a test run of their Iron Mole drilling machine in a Welsh mountain but end up in a strange underground labyrinth ruled by a species of giant telepathic flying reptiles, the Mahars, and full of prehistoric monsters and cave people.
They are captured by the Mahars, who keep primitive humans as their slaves through mind control. David falls for the beautiful slave girl Princess Dia (Caroline Munro) but when she is chosen as a sacrificial victim in the Mahar city, David and Perry must rally the surviving human slaves to rebel and not only save her but also the freedom of the slaves…
Our review:
Even bearing in mind that this monster mash was aimed at a youngish audience, Milton Subotsky’s script is painfully simplistic – screenwriting was never his forte – and Peter Cushing’s doddery old Brit inventor character (almost a repeat of his ’60s performance for Amicus as Doctor Who) is intended to be endearing but occasionally borders on being irritating due to repetitious dialogue. For instance, he refers to Doug McClure’s character ‘David’ so many times it’s laughable (we didn’t count but one website mentions sixty-six times!). That said, humourous lines such as “You cannot mesmerise me, I’m British!” raise a wry smile.
The use of cheap back projection can be distracting but the rubbery men-in-suit monsters are strangely endearing and the flying (on obvious wires) reptile Mahars with their controlling eyes are quite creepy. And they even explode when they are killed! There’s also good use of lighting in what are cramped Pinewood sets. McClure huffs and puffs (literally, he can’t take a cigar out of his mouth in the opening scenes) and seems bemused by sultry Caroline Munro, who shines in a role that’s sadly underwritten.
Meanwhile, former Manfred Mann guitarist Mike Vickers provides a discordant score that lends the proceedings a slightly unsettling edge that perhaps wasn’t intended. Despite some shortcomings, At the Earth’s Core is undemanding, slightly surreal fun. And there’s no harm in that.
Ade Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Other reviews:
“Peter Cushing is on (over the) top form brandishing his trusted umbrella whilst uttering such classic lines as: “You can’t mesmerise me – I’m British!” and: “They’re so excitable – like all foreigners”. Doug McClure’s ‘David’ gamely battles various men-in-rubber-suit-monsters; a man-eating plant bearing a remarkable resemblance to the singing plant in Frank Oz’s 1986 remake of Little Shop of Horrors...” Contains Moderate Peril
” …the sets, colorful lighting, rubber monsters and (actually quite effective) sound design all work together to give the film a strange, otherworldly atmosphere that kind of works in spite of the budgetary shortcomings, resulting in an almost hallucinatory quality; taken on the level of a kind of trippy 70s fever dream, the film remains pretty diverting stuff. The Stalking Moon
Buy: DVD | Amazon Instant
“Daft stuff, but the telepathic crow-creatures are impressive, and there’s enough idiocy to keep corn collector’s happy.” Anne Billson, Time Out (London)
“Enjoyable hokum, directed with a straight face by one-time editor Kevin Connor and acted with enjoyable zest by Cushing. Special effects and monsters are only moderate and all too often the wires holding the flying creatures can be seen.” Alan Frank, The Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Handbook, Batsford, 1982
For YouTube reviews and more info please visit page 2
MOVIES & MANIA provides previews of new films, our own movie reviews/ratings, and links to other reviews from trustworthy recommended sources - all in one handy web location. Plus, links to legitimately watch 1000s OF MOVIES FREE ONLINE via platforms such as Amazon Prime, Plex, Roku, Tubi and on YouTube. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a very tiny amount from any qualifying purchases.