AT THE EARTH’S CORE: SF about dinosaurs and humans underground

Fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs should be pleased with this adaptation. Fans of Peter Cushing’s esteemed persona, perhaps less so, as his role as the eccentric Professor Perry is very specific. At the Earth’s Core by Kevin Connor is a typical pastiche of science fiction films, especially those influenced by the “new adventure” genre. At the time of its release in 1976, this tone wasn’t as recognizable, as science fiction was still in the early stages of its journey to achieve the prominence it enjoys today. However, by adopting this slightly comedic dimension, the film At the Earth’s Core hasn’t lost anything. It may even have gained interpretive value, particularly for modern fans of science fiction who seek the old, retro aesthetic now absent from contemporary cinema. Unfortunately, the film has been largely forgotten in the annals of cinematic history, and it’s doubtful that anything could pull it into the spotlight to achieve cult status.
At the Earth’s Core is a product of Jules Verne’s legacy. Without Journey to the Center of the Earth, Burroughs’ novel wouldn’t have existed. Yet, it can’t be considered a plagiarism—it’s more of a modernized reinterpretation of the motif, though still steeped in a decidedly retro atmosphere. At times, its aesthetic resembles Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon from 1902, making it feel more whimsical and adventurous than strictly science-fictional. The protagonists of the film are scientist Abner Perry (Peter Cushing) and his assistant David Innes (Doug McClure). They devise a method of drilling into the Earth’s deepest layers, discovering not only molten rock under immense pressure but an entirely separate world, frozen in a hunter-gatherer stage of cultural development. In this underground world, rival tribes speak peculiar languages, and slavery is rampant, especially under one particular race of deformed humanoid creatures ruled telepathically by pterosaur-like beings. The underground world even features technology for controlling and directing lava flows.
The protagonists enter this strange world believing they’ll bring the light of knowledge and development, hoping to peacefully study the underground inhabitants and environment. Reality proves far harsher: they’re captured and enslaved, forced to fight for their freedom in ways utterly alien to modern humanity.
Surprisingly, these scientists adapt well to wielding melee weapons, endure extreme heat, and—somehow—the eccentric professor becomes adept at archery, reminiscent of Robin Hood. On the surface, none of this makes sense; it feels more like fantasy than science fiction. The vehicle used to drill through the Earth’s crust resembles a massive drill bit that defies every law of physics—but it works, and its design is visually striking. There are plenty of special effects in the production, though they’re “analog.” Even so, they remain intriguing, except for the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the filmmakers dedicated several lengthy sequences to them, including one where David battles a massive, bloodthirsty reptile—a scene almost metaphorical in its biblical overtones. There are countless close-ups, with the puppet dinosaur directly interacting with the actor. By today’s standards, it looks very dated, almost laughable. But there was no better way to execute this sequence at the time, given the technology and the film’s low budget of about $1.5 million. Even then, it wasn’t a staggering amount, insufficient for creating a blockbuster spectacle. By comparison, Star Wars had a budget of $11 million and wasn’t considered “big cinema” at its release—it only gained that status over time.
At the Earth’s Core didn’t have such a team behind it. Nor did it have the legendary passion of a director who spent years meticulously crafting its story and transferring it to the screen. Kevin Connor didn’t approach the project with that level of dedication. The goals of this adaptation of Burroughs’ novel were simply different.
As for Peter Cushing’s performance as mentioned earlier—his legend, shaped by George Lucas, is completely absent here. He portrays a mad, nervous, comedically exaggerated scientist who transforms into a warrior over the course of the plot. But this doesn’t elevate his esteem. In this role, Cushing could easily be a comic book character, but he lacks the gravitas typical of great science fiction heroes like Tarkin. Personally, I see this as an advantage, though other fans may disagree. His portrayal fits well with the overall tone of the production, which is lighthearted and adventurous, with a message of freedom, yet without naively convincing the audience that good always triumphs. If it did, the professor’s assistant would have left the underground world with Princess Dia. Instead, he had to leave her behind, as she rationally belonged to her world.
Make sure to watch this touching scene, as well as other humorously crafted moments in the film. I hope At the Earth’s Core becomes part of the retro science fiction canon, as it doesn’t deserve to be forgotten.