CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965, USA, 96m, U) ***
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
dist. Paramount Pictures; pr co. Security Pictures; d. Andrew Marton; w. Jon Manchip White, Julian Zimet (based on a story by Jon Manchip White); pr. Bernard Glasser, Lester A. Sansom; ph. Manuel Berenguer (Technicolor | 1.85:1); m. Johnny Douglas; ed. Derek Parsons; ad. Eugène Lourié.
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 (Dr. Bill Evans), Mike Steen (Steele), Emilio Carrere, Sydna Scott (Angela), John Karlsen (Dr. Reynolds), Todd Martin (Simpson), Ben Tatar (Indian Ambassador).
This sci-fi disaster thriller scores high for its ambition but low for its credibility. Insisting that his experiment will tap into geothermal energy sources deep within the Earth, the terminally ill Dr. Steven Sorenson (Andrews) goes against other experts and proceeds. But the experiment creates a crack in the Earth’s crust that threatens to split it in two and others scramble to fix it before that happens. There is plenty of energy expended in both the performances of a game cast and Marton’s direction of the action sequences. For a while, this elevates the story above its perfunctory script and characters. Budget limitations mean the wider scenario scale cannot be realised and the scenes are largely confined to the group of scientists who attempt to find a solution to the problem they have created. A subplot of opposing scientists Andrews and Moore competing for the attention of Scott is tired and unconvincing. Douglas’ score helps to elevate the tension and the effects work, whilst variable, is occasionally impressive. Whilst set in Africa the film was shot in and around Madrid in Spain.
