Crack in the World (1965)

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 plans to tap the geothermal energy of the Earth's interior by means of a thermonuclear device detonated deep within the Earth...

Plot Keywords:

Nuclear Missile | Marianas Trench | End Of The World | Nuclear | 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:

Continuity: The headlamps on Rampion's helmet disappear as he is hoisted out of the volcanic vent.

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)

Science is a bit dated, but a fun movie nonetheless.

Interesting story about a dying scientist who plans to tap the geothermal energy beneath the Earth's crust, with dire consequences. Andrews, Scott and Moore, as well as Alexander Knox, all give excellent performances. Special effects are superb and very believable. I remember seeing this on TV when I was a kid, and it scared me to DEATH. Seeing it again as an adult, it is not quite as scary, but is still fast-paced and entertaining. Sadly, it is not available on video to my knowledge. Perhaps someone at Paramount will read this and take the hint.

While the science is now dated, thanks to the discovery of plate tectonics (the Earth's crust is divided into may separate "plates", and therefore already has many "cracks"), the story is still entertaining. The interaction between Dr Sorenson (Andrews), an aging scientist trying for one last victory; his young wife Maggie (Scott), a scientist in her own right; and Dr Rampion (Moore), the project's geologist and an old flame of Maggie's to boot; works very well, even if it is a bit formulaic.

All in all it is a fun movie, and definitely worth the time to see it if you can. Paramount would do well to re-release it on video and especially widescreen DVD. How about it, guys?