Crack in the World (1965)

Every Saturday night @ 11:30, I'd settle down on the couch for 3+ hours of horror and/or sci-fi on TV courtesy of Pittsburgh, Pa's "Chiller Theater" hosted by "Chilly Billy" Cardille. Among my many favorites was "Crack in the World," about a scientist who, through underground testing of some sort, creates a mammoth fissure in the earth that keeps getting bigger and bigger, threatening to tear the earth apart. I've always loved this movie, especially the uncompromising ending, and I'm happy to see it finally being released in DVD. Check it out.

Interesting story about a dying scientist who plans to tap the geothermal energy beneath the Earth's crust, with dire consequences. Andrews, Scott and Moore, as well as Alexander Knox, all give excellent performances. Special effects are superb and very believable. I remember seeing this on TV when I was little, and it scared me to DEATH. Seeing it again as an adult, it is not quite as scary, but is still fast-paced and entertaining.

While the science is now dated, thanks to the discovery of plate tectonics (the Earth's crust is divided into may separate "plates", and therefore already has many "cracks"), the story is still entertaining. The interaction between Dr. Sorenson (Andrews), an aging scientist trying for one last victory; his young wife Maggie (Scott), a scientist in her own right; and Dr. Rampion (Moore), the project's geologist and an old flame of Maggie's to boot; works very well, even if it is a bit formulaic.

All in all it is a fun movie, and definitely worth the time to see it. Especially now that it is finally being released on DVD in its original 1.85:1 widescreen format. A worthy addition to any classic sci-fi film collection.

(PS: *I* wrote that summary listed on the back cover when I was in college! They just added a few extra words. Don't believe me? Look it up on IMDB!!)

Buy Crack in the World (1965) Now

I too am a great fan of this movie. I spent years looking for it, and about 3 months ago, I found a very watchable version at a site when I Googled it. The disc only cost $10....but. About half way through, down in the lower right hand corner the symbol "AMC" popped up and I realized that it was just a good copy made from the American Movie Classic channel.

This version that is now being released should be far superior....and I look forward to it.

If you have not seen this movie, by all means give it a try. There is not a single wasted minute in the whole film. Excellent!

Read Best Reviews of Crack in the World (1965) Here

CRACK IN THE WORLD finally makes its home video debut via this new widescreen DVD from Olive Films. Olive Films is a relatively new enterprise that has leased several Paramount titles for home video release.

I hadn't seen CRACK IN THE WORLD since its initial 1965 theatrical exhibition, and so it was great to be able to revisit it. What seemed like pure fantasy back then now feels all too plausible, given the daily reports about BP and the events on the Gulf coast. It's an engrossing story about scientists who have drilled too far into the earth's core, setting off a cataclysmic chain of events. Stalwart scientist Dana Andrews attempts to reverse the process. The film builds to a nearly apocalyptic finale, aided by some pretty good special effects.

The DVD preserves the film's 1:85-1 aspect ratio. The transfer is very good, although the age of the film elements precludes the movie from looking "as though it was filmed yesterday." I'd guess that the DVD was struck from a very good 35mm print, rather than from the original camera negative. There are no supplements, but the home video debut of CRACK IN THE WORLD is reason enough for celebration. Hopefully, Olive Films will resurrect other titles that have fallen through the cracks of the world of films.

Want Crack in the World (1965) Discount?

I haven't seen this film in many years but the new Blu-ray version from Olive films is surprisingly entertaining. Its your basic early 1960s end of the world cautionary tale where messing around with mother earth could destroy the planet. Dana Andrews plays a scientist who plans to exploit the planets subterranean mineral resources by detonating a nuclear bomb miles below the earth. The results of this detonation leads to the films descriptive title and the mad rush to come up with a method to save the planet. The special effects are not bad at all for a low budget 60s film and the dvd transfer, though not Criterion quality, is very good with vivid colors which add to the overall sense of heat since the catastrophic scenes involve lots of fire imagery. Besides Andrews, who fantasy film fans will recognize from Jacque Tourneur's classic 1956 film Curse of the Demon(aka Night of the Demon), there is Janette Scott and Kieron Moore who both appeared in The Day of the Triffids a few years earlier. Sci-fi trivia buffs will also recognize Eugene Lourie's name in the opening credits. Lourie directed three of the 1950/early 60s 'dinosaur on the rampage' films, The Giant Behemoth, Gorgo and most importantly The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. Last but not least, the film's ending is quite unique though the science is a little/a lot dubious! If you enjoy this film, you might want to checkout the British film The Day the Earth Caught Fire which was made around the same time but is actually more ominous.

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