This is another popular sci-fi outing which follows a world crisis pattern established by the superior THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE (1961) that I had only previously read about in books; I finally watched it via a DivX made from a P&S TV broadcast on AMC (unfortunately, my enjoyment was slightly hampered by recurring lip-synch problems).
Anyway, the film itself initially slow-going and talky but becoming persuasive and fairly gripping once the disasters start is good-looking and features remarkable special effects, while the principal actors are all adept at this sort of thing (an ageing and quite moving Dana Andrews as the dying scientist, Janette Scott and Kieron Moore both from THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS [1962] and Alexander Knox from THESE ARE THE DAMNED [1963]); besides, unlike many films of its ilk, the characters' personal dilemmas actually contribute to the tension.
While not exactly a milestone of the genre and ultimately forgettable, the film ought to get a decent DVD release (if it weren't problematic, I guess I could have lived with my current copy); however, being a Paramount production, it can't be much of a priority (seeing how they've reportedly leased one of their more desirable properties ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS [1964] to Criterion, thus burdening fans with a much more expensive edition!)
Anyway, the film itself initially slow-going and talky but becoming persuasive and fairly gripping once the disasters start is good-looking and features remarkable special effects, while the principal actors are all adept at this sort of thing (an ageing and quite moving Dana Andrews as the dying scientist, Janette Scott and Kieron Moore both from THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS [1962] and Alexander Knox from THESE ARE THE DAMNED [1963]); besides, unlike many films of its ilk, the characters' personal dilemmas actually contribute to the tension.
While not exactly a milestone of the genre and ultimately forgettable, the film ought to get a decent DVD release (if it weren't problematic, I guess I could have lived with my current copy); however, being a Paramount production, it can't be much of a priority (seeing how they've reportedly leased one of their more desirable properties ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS [1964] to Criterion, thus burdening fans with a much more expensive edition!)