Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: Dated and so unlike the movie, The Core, but it is a classic and was top-notch for its day. For example, there is never any indication of increased gravity as the explorers approach the center of the earth. In addition, the center of the earth turns out to be in the middle of a vast sea? Isn't the earth's core supposed to be molten? The biggest flaw is how the heroes are expelled from the center of the earth through a volcanic vent travelling at high speed. As we know today, ascending from such depths at such speed would definately kill you as divers know so well. However, putting aside these scientific inaccuracies uncovers an enjoyable film with memorable characters, beautiful sets, and great special effects. Truly harmless entertainment and suitable for the whole family.
Rating:
Summary: Top entertainment and DVD value for various reasons
Review: Fantasy fans who, like myself, have never seen this delightful film in a theatre are in for a real treat - actually, more like a revelation - when they experience this superb widescreen DVD edition. The beautifully restored print is a stunner to look at (particularly during the many subterranean sequences), with scrumptious colors and textures. The film is afforded a generous forty (40) chapters. There's also plenty of fun to be had as one explores the DVD's special features: details about the film's restoration, a split-screen segment illustrating how the film looked before and after, and an entertaining assortment of trailers (previews) for other 20th Century-Fox films: The Abyss, Planet of the Apes (both versions), One Million B.C. ('66 version), Zardoz, and Independence Day, among others.
Rating: 
Summary: Grand "Cinemascope" family entertainment from the 1950s!
Review: OK, there's been some controversy here about the quality of this release, so let me put it to rest. This DVD is spledid! I think this adaptation of Jules Verne's 1864 French novel is a prime example of 1950's wide-screen motion picture family entertainment -- it's wholesome and has a little something for everyone. This is the best film version of this story, the most recent of which was done for the USA Channel on cable in 1999 and was very campy. They couldn't match the 1959 production values of this 20th Century-Fox film that has excellent color photography and art direction, and Bernard Herrmann's wonderfully atmospheric music score. These elements have continued to make it a favorite with fantasy film fans who can appreciate older movies, though it's true that some of it is silly at times, but I don't think the film's makers were trying for a serious movie. It also contains one of James Mason's best performances (He was always good). It's wonderful "Cinemascope" escapism from the bygone Eisenhower-era of the 1950s. Even though I've been watching it on TV since I was a kid in the sixties, I'd only seen pan&scan versions, and it wasn't until I got it letterboxed on laserdisc that I finally saw what a big-screen entertainment this movie was meant to be. It has splendid scope and a score by Bernard Herrmann that takes you right down into the bowels of the earth. Listen to it and you'll notice what I mean, as the movie progresses the music keeps going into a lower and lower register. Five organs were used, including one meant for a Cathedral. (The complete original recordings of the score are available on CD from Varese Sarabande.) Sure it's long in the telling and takes a while to get you down that extinct volcano in Iceland, but it's fun all the way with great special effects work by L.B. Abbott and matte paintings by Emil Kosa Jr. It's been a long wait for this to come out on DVD but it's now worth it. Although Fox should have known that fans would want more extras, including a production and poster still gallery and audio commentary by Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl perhaps?, or an expert on the production? (Perhaps we'll get it in a future release?), they have thankfully included the original theatrical trailer, whic is a lot of fun. They've also gone to great efforts to restore the color negative, and this 16X9 ANAMORPHIC TRANSFER has been struck from a newly made interpositive print, and has been further enhanced with digital video. The original 4-track MagOptical soundtrack is here offered in Dolby Digital 4.0 surround. Although the directionalized dialogue is often off the mark, the aged soundtrack sounds great and will really rumble your room if you've got a subwoofer. If you are a fan of 1959's JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, you'll be very happy with this DVD. I'd give this DVD five stars but for Fox skimping on the extras. Boy, you people at Fox can be real dummies!
Rating:
Summary: Now REALLY a CLASSIC!
Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of the all-time classic science fiction films. Now it's presented on DVD in a beautiful widescreen format with color restoration. There is even a bonus feature showing side by side comparison with past editions. I can't believe the improvement! If you are a fan of this movie-- you will absolutely love this DVD edition- the color, the clarity, sound, and 2.35 WIDESCREEN! Also included are numerous FOX movie trailers including Journey.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD is FINALLY here!!!!!!!!!
Review: I popped the brand new DVD version of this film in the machine last night, adjusted the volume to half power, as it was late, and POW! The first bass-filled organ blast of Bernard Herrmann's score caused the picture frames on the walls to rattle! The sound on this DVD is fantastic. Much better than I'd hoped for in a picture that is over 40 years old. It's also in stereo, and very, very lush.
The picture quality is truly amazing. The effort and care taken in restoring this film to its original lustre and vibrancy is evident from the first frame to the last. The color has been expertly corrected. Greys are now grey again, instead of a reddish brown. Blacks are deep, but with plenty of detail in the shadows. Skin tones are natural, and the technicolor is as vibrant again as it was when it was originally released. An example of this is in the opening credits. The background shots of exploding red lava fountains have always bled so badly one almost needed a paramedic standing by. Now, the color is bright and intense, but without any bleeding or noise. The clarity has to be seen to be believed. My hat is off to the wonderful folks at Fox for their lovely restoration of this classic "popcorn flick." You have my deepest gratitude. It definitely belongs in any collection, regardless of your preference for this genre. Buy it!
-I still feel badly about poor Gertrude, though. She truly was a duck among ducks.
Rating:
Summary: Another Jules Verne Classic in all it's WIDESCREEN splendor!
Review: Despite having owned this film on laserdisc in a widescreen special edition version I never even hesitated to purchase the dvd on it's March 4th release date, knowing that it would be superior to the former. Although the laserdisc seems to have a bit more prominent bass overall the dvd is clearer and more revealing of individual instruments. There is a deleted scene as well as publicity stills, photos, and posters featured as supplements on the laserdisc but the superior video quality of the dvd more than makes up for this. It would have been nice had Fox Studios included some extras, I have no idea whether any interview material exists involving James Mason etc. but some insights from Pat Boone would have been a wonderful addition. Although the retail price is quite low - I would have paid more for a making of documentary and/or the aforementioned interview(s). It was noted by someone in a previous review that pre release information indicated a non-anamorphic version, however it turns out that it IS anamorphic, so widescreen hdtv owners can rest easy! Speaking of widescreen, films made incorporating the original aspect ratios ( OAR ) of 2.35 ( such as Journey ) or higher can never be truly appreciated in an altered pan and scan ( also called Full Frame ) version as you easily are missing close to 50% or more of the actual picture. A little education goes a long way as it has for me - I cannot now watch movies that are not OAR - and I will not buy a dvd that is only available full frame. I always wanted to purchase Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but it is not in its original widescreen presentation. Here's hoping the studio concerned will get it right one day. Regardless, enjoy this film as a great piece of entertainment that, like so many others from the '50's and '60's, cannot be touched by today's movies- with some rather rare exceptions. Don't forget, another Jules Verne inspired film will be out in mid May 2003 - Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Can't wait for the big day to arrive!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic DVD
Review: The irresponsible speculation of another review here is dead wrong... this DVD is in fact anamorphic widescreen. The picture quality is superb.Have no reservations about picking up this wonderful film.
Rating:
Summary: fox did a great job
Review: just bought the dvd and fox did a excellent job...done in widescreen and surround...the picture and audio both are excellent and extra includes restoration comparison...if you have been waiting for this movie don't hesitate..for the price it is well worth getting...the other viewer complained about this movie..but maybe he doesn't like widescreen...but glad i don't listen to critics or people who apparantly didn't see the dvd before the review was done...
Rating:
Summary: Widescreen fans rejoice!
Review: Addendum to my original review: I am glad to learn that this title is in fact 16:9 encoded. However, I've been bitten by the letterbox enough times to remain wary of all titles that do not indicate 16:9 (see below). I offer Disney's DVD of "The Rocketeer" as an example. The package for Rocketeer has the word "Widescreen" prominently displayed, but it turned out to be letterbox widescreen. I do not believe, as one reviewer accuses, that I was being irresponsible in alerting buyers to the possibility of the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" DVD being letterboxed. No, the irresponsibility lies with whoever marketed this disk without bothering to indicate that it was 16:9. Anyway, thanks to all those above who posted to set me straight. I am now eager to order this title. I believe my original review remains germane in part, and may be instructive to some, so I will leave it. Original review follows: Buyer beware! Pre-release information of Fox Home Entertainment's new DVD edition of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" states only that the disk is "widescreen". There is no indication that this disk is 1) 16:9 encoded, 2) enhanced for widescreen TVs, or 3) anamorphic. If none of these three key phrases is present, it is a good bet that the word "widescreen" merely means plain old-fashioned letterboxed formatting. Why should you care whether this disk is 16:9 encoded? Because when played back on a widescreen digital TV, a 16:9 disk is capable of delivering significantly higher resolution. Even if you do not own a widescreen TV, chances are you will, soon. When you buy a digital widescreen TV, if the "widescreen" disk you buy today is not 16:9 encoded, it will continue to look more like letterbox VHS rather than widescreen HDTV. Personally, I am content to continue watching my VHS tape of this title until Fox releases this title with 16:9 enhancement. In the meantime, I would suggest an alternate purchase of a quality DVD digitized with true widescreen enhancement, such as the splendid new DVD editions of "Forbidden Planet", or "The Time Machine" starring Rod Taylor.
Vote with your pocketbook. Let the studios know that you demand 16:9 encoding on all "widescreen" DVDs. After all, why should you settle for less?
Rating:
Summary: Until Star Wars and Indiana Jones, This Was the Best
Review: This is a great movie, no doubt the best science fiction special effects movie of its time. Beautiful visuals, great soundtrack (though not popular songs, but sounds that build the power of the movie.) Just lower your expectations because it was done 40+ years ago, it's worth viewing and probably buying. I've probably watched this at least twenty times and I only just got a copy of it within the last year. The storyline is great, with cool scientific twists, romance and humor. the actors-- James Mason, Pat Boone (this could be his best role) and Arlene Dahl help make the movie even better. The story is adapted from a Jules Verne original. It tells of an unlikely crew of explorers who follow the path of an earlier pioneering scientist to the center of the earth. Along the way they see wonders never encountered at the surface, including the best portrayal of dinosaurs before Jurassic park. But the dinosaurs are only a part of it. The magic of the jewel cave scene has always entranced me, probably because of the music, by Bernard Herrmann, who also created music for Twilight Zone, Psycho, Citizen Kane, Day the Earth Stood Still, North by Northwest... check out imdb for the long list of movies he created music for.
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