Convinced that civilization was soon to be exterminated by nuclear destruction - as was the rage in the 1950's seemingly - Dr. Jeremiah Morley presents the pros and cons of the 'Atomic Age', in the form of an eight minute news reel.
In case society was to be blown away by advances in atomic energy, his solution was to start a community beneath the Earth's surface; a geological shelter if you will. With support by just about everyone in the world, the "Society to Save Civilization" was established.
The society, lead by Dr. Morely, consists of a group of expert scientists, hand picked and trained for this epic undertaking. They are, from left to right: Dr. Morley, Dr. George Coleman, Joan Lindsey the medical doctor, Andrew Ostergaard - a WW2 marine veteran and explosives expert - then Dr. Max A. Bauer from Germany and finally Dr James Paxton.
In an attempt to get the proper funding for the trip to the core, the Doctor presents his research and plans to the board. When asked how he plans to traverse through the Earth, Dr. Morley plays his winning hand. The Cyclotram. A very cool looking drilling machine complete with crew quarters, but little else.
Unfortunately, the Cyclotram wasn't cool enough to convince the board. The cost was considered far too great, and "The Society to Save Civilization" project is shelved indefinitely. Or so we think...
With the premise of the movie established, we cut to 'now', and into a screening room where the Doctor and his team have just watched the same reel that you have. Clever eh?
Mr Thompson - the reporter that compiled the news reel, and not well liked - offers to fund the project on the condition that he goes on the journey, "just for kicks." With the project able to get back on track, Morely agrees to the added guest, and work continues on the Cyclotram's construction.
Now at the island - the home of the fictional Mt. Nelleh - the team prepare themselves and the Cyclotram for burrowing.
The passage of time during the initial decent is done in the form of a narrated journal entry by Joan. Nearly three miles below sea level, it's now early morning in the underground, and time for breakfast.
No, not eggs from very small chickens. It's pancakes and coffee in pill form. To gauge their progress and safety, an away team is assembled and the tunnel is explored on foot. Reaching the end of the tunnel, they discover a plaque inscribed in 1938 by a previous expedition. The plaque advises that any future explorers turn back while they can.
To continue their expedition, the drilling power of the Cyclotram is required. Choosing the weakest part of the tunnel wall, the Cyclotram carves though to an additional tunnel. Again, they head out on foot for a closer look. The air in the tunnel, thankfully, is "fresh and clear", as described by the doctor, rendering their gas masks useless. With the Cyclotram following along behind, the team continue on foot along the tunnel to find a spot for the Cyclotram to continue safely.
Similar to sardines, eventually cabin fever sets in. The pressures of subterranean travel mounts, and heated words are exchanged. Getting the shits up, Paxton dons his hard-hat and exits the Cyclotram. Coleman follows him to make sure he's ok. While searching for the two men, the toxic gas alarm sounds in the Cyclotram. Realizing that Paxton and Coleman didn't take their gas masks, the crew leave the craft and head along the lethal tunnel.
Dead. Paxton and Coleman were overcome by the gasses and the crew find them a short distance down the passageway.
This wasn't the first piece of rotten luck suffered by the crew. Joan discovers that the Cyclotram's water supply or purifier - the scene cuts before she says what it is - has become contaminated from the toxic air. Turned out that the vent was left open by Mr Thompson. Their task now was to find water. Fast.
With a bit of searching, climbing up and down ravines and general concern for their plight, running water is heard behind a rocky facade. Instead of using the the Cyclotram to punch through, they decide to break though manually with a couple of sledge hammers. After a few casual twats of the hammers, they break through to a pressurized chamber, where a jet of hot steam escapes, filling the tunnel. In a panic, they high-tail it back to the safety of the Cyclotram to wait it out. Due to the atmospheric miracle of condensation, their waterless situation is solved!
Over come by the joy of condensed water, Joan faints and, for the second time in the film, the question of turning back or pushing on is raised. They vote on it this time.
Now nearly 1000 miles beneath the Earth's surface, the Cyclotram - in drill mode - cuts through to an underground lake. They bob up to the surface like a cork to find themselves in an immense cavern. Could this be humanities shelter?
"Nah..."Once again, the decision to end the expedition comes up again. They decide now that they've come to far to turn back now. The Cyclotram rolls on.
Until...
Reaching a fork in the road, the team decide to explore both tunnels. Thompson is sent down one, Andy down the other.
"Help!", yells Thompson as he slides down a steep embankment. Andy, quick on the scene, ropes down to help him.
Even though Andy thought Thompson was a bit of a money-filled jackass that never pulled his weight, he rescues Thompson. With Thompson safe, he begins to climb back up the ledge, but, oh no! The rope is fraying. With inches to go, the rope breaks and Andy falls to his death.
As a tribute to the expedition and Andy, Thompson states that they have to go on now, regardless of the loss of lives.
At 1640 miles and a few days later, Thompson is still torn about Andy's life saving sacrifice, when things get interesting.
"Whaaaaaa?"Daylight! 2000 miles down, they discover a vast and vibrant cavern complete with breeze, oceans and deserts. The sun-less cave is found to be lit from the reflections of the phosphorus dome of the cave roof. It has everything to get things going again. Chemical content in the water and soil for crops and industry, even lightning. Yeah, this place has everything. Except...
The rabbits that were brought along for study, were moments from giving birth. The big day arrived and they all gathered around the rabbit hutch. It wasn't to be. All the rabbits were all born dead.
Realizing that sterility was now a reality. Future generations of mankind were out of the question. Which was lucky really, as soon after, a lightning storm starts and the seas begin to rise. This was the last straw for Dr. Morely. He'd discovered his underground haven, only to have it wrecked by nature. Time to leave.
Like a captain going down with his ship, Dr. Morely didn't want to leave. With the others safely on board and away from the rising waters, Morely takes one last look at his paradise crumbling around him. He should not have done that. The underground cavern would now serve as his tomb.
One of the shortcomings of the Cyclotram, is that it can only measure to a depth of 2500 miles. Unhelpful, as the crew now find themselves sinking to to the bottom of the raging underground sea.
With hopes fading, the Cyclotram suddenly gets caught in a thermal current and begins rising. In about one minute, the Cyclotram returns the crew to the Earth's welcome surface. The end. It really does happen that quickly.
Gadgetry: The Cyclotram. The rock-boring piece of kit that gets you into the Earth's nether regions. Perhaps also the breakfast pills.
Favorite quote: "The world has changed since 1938 / The world has changed since yesterday..." On the discovery of the sign posted by the previous expedition.
Favorite bit: The effects. Matte paintings and photographic trickery of the Cyclotram was pretty impressive. Not overdone. Just enough to get the message across.
Bottom line: Pretty cool. Although I thought the Cyclotram was going to be continually drilling, they only use is to break through when the trenches get tight.
Also, I will try to shorten these reviews. They're getting long. Sorry.
No comments:
Post a Comment