Crack in the World (1965)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Andrew Marton

Writers (WGA):

Jon Manchip White (story)
Jon Manchip White (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 April 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Thank God it's Only a Motion Picture!

Plot:

Dr. Steven Sorenson (Andrews) plans to tap the geothermal energy of the Earth's interior by means of...

Plot Keywords:

Marianas Trench | End Of The World | Disaster | Magma | Earthquake

Cast

Dana Andrews	...	Dr. Stephen Sorenson
Janette Scott	...	Dr. Maggie Sorenson
Kieron Moore	...	Dr. Ted Rampion
Alexander Knox	...	Sir Charles Eggerston
Peter Damon	...	John Masefield
Jim Gillen	...	Rand
Gary Lasdun	...	Markov
Alfred Brown
Mike Steen	...	Steele
Emilio Carrere
Sydna Scott	...	Angela
John Karlsen	...	Dr. Reynolds
Todd Martin	...	Simpson
Ben Tatar	...	Indian ambassador

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Filming Locations:

Spain

Company:

Security Pictures

Trivia:

'Eugene Lourie' had two models of the gantry built. The second was made of balsa wood for the explosion scene. This insured complete destruction of the gantry while avoiding the danger of the set being sprayed by shrapnel.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Nuclear Explosion at the Tukomor volcano is stock footage of the Operation Crossroads "Baker" shot. Battleships can be seen in the ocean as the blast wave advances.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Dr. Maggie Sorenson: But Sir Charles, the project entrance is half a mile further on!
Sir Charles Eggerston: I know Mrs. Sorenson. I wanted to stop here to take a better look at *that*. That's your drill tower, isn't it?
Dr. Maggie Sorenson: Yes it is.
Sir Charles Eggerston: What's that missile doing up there? I thought that we came here to discuss with your husband the *possibility* of using an atomic warhead.
Dr. Maggie Sorenson: *Half* a missile, Sir Charles. If you look closely, you'll see it's not armed.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Tribulation 99: Alien Anomalies Under America (1992)

60's Sci-Fi apocalypse flick still screens well due to good acting and great script!

This movie was an anachronism when it was made in 1965--It was WAY above the level that audience sophistication demanded in those days. Although science has moved forward since then(plate tectonics,etc.), it does not detract from the essential viability of this film. For a Sci-Fi movie involving the apocalypse, this story hangs together well and requires relatively little "suspension of disbelief." The plot builds suspense very nicely and at an increasingly ominous and break-neck pace. Typical of British films, the script is rather well written, and Andrews, Moore and Scott(the latter two were married in real life), as well as the usual cast of Britishers do a wonderful acting job. Special effects are excellent and include many convincing shots of real volcanic events. The scene in which the fissures converge is awe-inspiring, though the final massive event could benefit from modern CGI effects. The science--I should know--is not all that bad! The musical score is first-rate, and adds greatly to the movie's charm, building suspense beautifully. Fire up the microwave, get the popcorn, settle down and watch this one--IF you can find a copy!!!