At the Earth’s Core (1976) starring Doug McClure, Peter Cushing, Caroline Munro
Two Victorian explorers accidentally drill too deeply, and find themselves At the Earth’s Core. In the hidden land of Pellucidar, prehistoric creatures roam. And pterodactyl-like Mahar enslave the human beings there. Can the two surface men help?
Review
Dr. Abner Perry: The Mahar is limited vocally but has been endowed with mesmeric powers and a high degree of telepathy. Hmm. That’s quite the combination for a bird.
At the Earth’s Core is a very enjoyable popcorn movie. The “monsters” are clearly men in suits, etc. but the story and characters lift the story, creating the necessary suspension of disbelief. It’s fun and enjoyable, for a variety of reasons. The interaction between the younger Douglas McClure and the older Peter Cushing are priceless. Peter’s rendition of the British scientist is just wonderfully humorous:
Dr. Abner Perry: You cannot mesmerise me! I’m British!
And he’s more than comedy relief. He supplies the scientific knowledge that’s needed to overthrow the villainous Mahars. And introduces the bow and arrow to the primitive humans as well. Literally saving the lives of Doug McClure’s and Caroline Munro’s characters at a critical moment.
Doug’s character is a very enjoyable action hero, and fun to watch. Even when he’s fighting giant monster puppets.
Product Description
They’re in it Deep now! Murderous monsters, scantily clad prehistoric playmates and telepathic pterodactyls inhabit the center of our world in this colorful fantasy-adventure about a manned ‘drill-craft’ boring its way to the center of the Earth! Starring sci-fi superstars Doug McClure (The Land That Time Forgot), Peter Cushing (Madhouse) and Caroline Munro (Maniac), this subterranean chiller is the most endearingly whimsical entertainment on – or under – the planet’s surface! There’s more than lava at the Earth’s core.
There’s also Pellucidar: an underground empire where gargantuan pterodactyls torture and enslave all humanoids – including the lovely Dia (Munro). But all that could change when a surface-dwelling scientist (Cushing) and an American businessman (McClure) drive their powerful Iron Mole straight into Pellucidar… stirring up a great deal more than dirt, rocks and lava! Wonderfully directed by sci-fi specialist, Kevin Connor (The People That Time Forgot).
Cast of characters
- Doug McClure (The Land That Time Forgot) … David Innes
- Peter Cushing (Dr Who and the Daleks, The Curse of Frankenstein) … Dr. Abner Perry
- Caroline Munro (The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Starcrash) … Dia
- Cy Grant (Calypso) … Ra
- Godfrey James (The Land That Time Forgot) … Ghak
- Sean Lynch … Hoojah
- Keith Barron … Dowsett
- Helen Gill … Maisie
- Anthony Verner … Gadsby
- Robert Gillespie … Photographer
- Michael Crane … Jubal
- Bobby Parr … Sagoth Chief
- Andee Cromarty … Girl Slave