Rating: 
Summary: Herrmann's Perfect Blend
Review: Alfred Newman was a great friend of Bernard Herrmann's. In fact he was partly instrumental bringing Herrmann to Hollywood and helping him to get set-up here in 1940. From that time on Herrmann, whose classical bent needed some polishing from the old masters, like Newman. Then Herrmann hit the scene with his second Hollywood score that set the town on fire, Citizen Kane. It was downhill from there for Herrmann who composed some of the finest musical cues for the motion picture industry.About twenty years ago, Charles Gerhardt, with the L.A.Philharmonic, re-recorded selections from "Journey". They were clean and clear, with nice separation elements. But it was only a teaser. On this recording, we get the entire soundtrack, plus it is conducted by Herrmann himself. Herrmann had a great flare (as did Newman) for conducting. He even played himself as a conductor in "The Man Who Knew Too Much" by Hitchcock (with whom he made several very memorable scores, like Psycho!). On "Journey", Herrmann experimented with many sounds, including a medieval horn, a pipe organ, a gong, and a concert anvil. Take for example, his blend of dischords that eventually resolved themselves while helping the picture create tension on the screen. There is probably nothing in film music that is so dramatic as the "sunrise" at the volcano. The great crashing chords are filled with awe and inspiration. Few wonder why many people in the industry consider him a genius.
Rating:
Summary: Twentieth Century Fox Fantasy Classic
Review: Ok, so everyone familiar with this movie is over forty. Granted, just like Spock's permission to come aboard, that almost everyone who has seen this movie, enjoys it. BUT LISTEN UP, PEOPLE OVER AT FOX! THIS MOVIE NEEDS TO BE TRANSFERED CLEANLY TO DVD ASAP. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE DONE BEFORE I DIE, ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER CLASSIC FOX TITLES ON MY LIST. Because Cinemascope movies look so much better on DVD, than they do letterboxed on tape. They are clearer, the sound is better (usually depending on the studio), and please add the extras put on the laserdisc version, like the alternate endings most people have never seen!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I'll be brief, folks.
The video was sealed wonderfully and the tape carton box is in great condition. The audio is top-rate, with all colors bright. The sound is superb.
A great classic VHS!
Rating:
Summary: Great for the Whole Family
Review: This is good, clean fun for the whole family. James Mason and Pat Boone play Victorian scientists on the journey, accompianed by Arlene Dahl. There are many comic moments and lots of thrills as the intrepid explorers go deeper and deeper to the earth's core. This is wholesome entertainment at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Unsung Classic
Review: This is a movie that should be more widely appreciated than it is. Unknown to many today, this should-be classic film first made an impact on me when I was quite young. Since then I've watched it many times over many years, and it never loses the wonder that it first held for me. Just the thought of venturing beneath the surface of the earth! "Journey" has the right blend of special effects, smart dialogue, character development, and humor. A rare case where the movie may actually be better than the book.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiration for Spielberg?
Review: This is a beautifully done movie from start to finish,which I own,and am hoping ' they ' will release on DVD soon! James Mason and Pat Boone are excellent,and the set design and special effects are superb for 1959! You can see,(with the rolling boulder),where Steven Spielberg got his early inspiration for 'Raiders'. Pat Boone actually almost suffocated to death during the take in which he falls several levels,becoming lost in the cavernes. Another one which I saw for 25 cents at the olde Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa,and it is still MAGIC when I pull it out every year,and watch it late at night. FIVE STARS without a doubt,however there seems to be an extra digit in the price! Get some realistic prices on these old movies,so people who really cherish them can afford them! Other than that: AMAZON,God bless you for the excellent service you provide!- Ron L.
Rating:
Summary: Takes you away.
Review: This is a good movie. A movie good for all ages. Good virtues and some light antagonists. And interesting special effects.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic That Needs Restoration
Review: As a child I watched this movie every single time it came on TV. In the 60's and early 70's that was quite often. I recently caught this movie on TV again and even though I still enjoyed the movie it seemed quite dated. The version I saw was the pan and scan cut. I know there is a widescreen version that shows up from time to time, but I've yet to catch that one. James Mason is superb in his role as Prof. Lindenbrook. Arlene Dahl is great and a perfect match for Mason. Pat Boone is a bit goofy, but is fine in his role. Yes, the movie strays quite a bit from the book, but this is Hollywood and that happens to the best of books. On it's own the movie is a joy to watch. But I'd never noticed before how obvious the film inserts of lizards (made to look like dinosaurs) and various other inserts are. Plus there were many other indications of the state the film is in on the prints made for TV. I don't know what state the masters of the film are in or if whoever owns the rights to this movie is willing to spend the money to restore it, but I hope they will. I'd hate to see anything less than a full restoration make it to DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, old-fashioned fun movie
Review: I can only echo what other people have said about this fun movie. A true classic. One thing I'd like to add, though. If you're planning on buying this video, try and find out if it's in widescreen format. For years, I had seen "Journey" only in the full-screen presentation. Then recently FOX Movie Channel broadcast it in the original letterbox version. Wow. What a difference. There is a huge amount of film chopped off when you watch it in full-screen.
Rating:
Summary: This shows why an orchestra is more effective then pop songs
Review: That's the problem with most of today's movies. They use very little original music scored by an orchestra and restort to either stock music, or popular recordings by current artists. This sound track however shows how effective an orchestra can be for film and science fiction in particular. Journey To the Center Of the Earth benefits from the music genius who was Bernard Herrmann, and his useage of organ, brass, and woodwind instruments in desribeing the subterrian world that James Mason and Pat Boone experience in the film are used to give a "sense of wonder" about the whole journey, which both the movie and Jules Verne's novel desribes. Herrmann established a tradition with science fiction music that is being carried on today by those few composers who still do "orchestra only" soundtracks for movies. One of these composers is John Williams.
| 
