Journey to the Center of the Earth

 

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

This is one of the best Verne novels, maybe because Verne had to make up everything so we didn’t get bogged down in the details of fish…Anyway, the story progresses as follows: German scientist Lindenbrock discovers a manuscript of a 16^th century explorer and he and his nephew Axel take off to Iceland with native guide Hans Bjelke to explore and go to the Center of the Earth. They find dinosaurs and all matter of things before reaching the service again. It was first published in 1864.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

The main characters are moved from Germany to Scotland for this version of the tale, mainly because this was only ten years after WWII. Alec finds a plum bob that he gives to his mentor Professor Lindenbrook. They along with Hans and Carla Gutenberg, the widow of a deceased colleague,  descend into the center of the Earth. There they meet the descendent of the 16^th century explorer who is convinced that the center of the earth belongs to him. One of the best characters in this version is the duck Gertrude.

Willy Fog: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1994)

The second in the Spanish Willy Fog TV series, the first being a version of Around the World in 80 Days. In this version Willy Fog (an anthropomorphic lion based on Phileas Fogg) makes a bet with Sullivan that he can find the center of the earth. It is a fun version of the story.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)

In this version, avid geologist and paleontologist Theodore Lytton is approached by Alice Hastings who wants his help in finding her husband, Casper Hastings who disappeared on a journey to the Center of the Earth seven years prior. I wasn’t overly fond of the ending where the nephew Jonas, returns the Center of the Earth to be with a native woman.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

In this made for TV movie, Jonathan Brock and heiress Martha journey to Alaska to find her husband who disappeared years earlier when searching for the Center of the Earth. It reminds me a lot of the 1999 movie as far as initial set up but I like the ending better…

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

Although this came out the same year, this is the theatrical movie starring Brendan Frasier. What I liked about this version is that it was written as a modern day sequel to the original. Trevor and his nephew Sean go to the Center of the Earth to find out what happened to Sean’s father and they use the original book as a sort of guide book. A clever way to modernize it.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

The third movie in the Ice Age saga is essentially a Ice Age/Journey to the Center of the Earth crossover. They find a cavern. They descend. They find a warm underworld where dinosaurs still roam. Perhaps my favorite Ice Age movie for exactly that reason.