Viaje al centro de la Tierra (Journey to the Centre of the Earth)

Date: 1977
Director: Juan Piquer Simón
Production Company: Almena Films

Stars: Kenneth More, Pep Munné, Ivonne Sentis, Frank Braña, Jack Taylor
Location(s): Canary Islands, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid

Region(s):

Storyline:

After discussing various theories on the make-up of the Earth’s interior, a group of geologists decide that the only way to know for sure would be to mount an expedition.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘Where Time Began’ (US Title)

Never released into British cinemas, audiences first saw the production on television in 1978.

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Hamburg 1898, where the sound of a barrel organ drifts through the air. The building we see is the Madrid home of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Calle José Abascal, 30. (SR)

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The camera tilts down. Calle José Abascal, 30. (SR)

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A Woman drops coins into an Organ Grinder's bowl as he turns the handle of his small instrument. Calle José Abascal, 30, Madrid. (SR)

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Nearby, a mysterious old Man approaches an antiquarian bookshop where, inside, Professor Otto Lidenbrock buys the volumes that he has for sale.

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Professor Lidenbrock attends a lecture during which various theories about the make up of the Earth are postulated. This is the Instituto Oftálmico, Calle General Arrando 17, Madrid, viewed from Calle de Zurbano. (SR)

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Mounting an expedition to follow Arne Saknussemm's account of his journey to the centre of the Earth, the Professor journeys to Bremerhaven with his niece Glauben and her lover Axel. Manuel Gurtner explains that this is obviously stock footage, but completely inappropriately chosen. "The train is crossing the North German Plain, where, as far as I know, there is not a single terrain-related tunnel on the way to Bremerhaven."

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The three take a ship from the German port and cross the North Sea to Iceland.

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Landing in Reykjavik, Professor Lidenbrock, Glauben and Axel visit the Natural History Museum to meet with Professor Fridleson. Casa Botines in León, Castilla y Leon, designed by Antonio Gaudi and built between 1891 and 1994.

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Professor Otto Lidenbrock (Kenneth More), Glauben (Ivonne Sentis) and Axel (Pep Munné) obtain equipment and provisions in Reykjavik and enlist the help of Hans (Frank Braña) as a guide and porter and the expedition begins.

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Treading in the footsteps of Arne Saknussemm, the group make their descent. Manuel Gurtner points out that, according to the end credits, the interior shots after abseiling into the volcano were taken in the Cueva de Valporquero, located about 35 kilometers north of León, Castilla y León, Spain.