Crack in the World (1965)

Crack in the World (1965), directed by Andrew Marton.

Ah, the high cost of green energy. An attempt to tap the planet's core results in global catastrophe.

What I like about this SF adventure is its seriousness and the lack of hand-wringing and guilt-ridden recriminations. Scientist Dana Andrews made a mistake which costs thousands of lives. In his few days remaining before he dies of cancer he races to make it right, in so far as possible.

Great 1960s underground base. Two miles underground! People were used to space program launches by this time and firing a rocket down into the earth was a nice variation. Some of the stunt work looks brutal.

On the down side: it's dialogue heavy and the love triangle tends toward the soapy.

Also: I hope that segment of the Earth that flew off into space was launched at five miles per second or it is coming down again.

I always enjoy seeing Janette Scott and this is a good leading role for her. I don't think she did anything else like the escape and survival scenes toward the end. I last saw her in School for Scoundrels (1960):

http://watershade.net/public/janette-scott-school-for-scandal.jpg

... and Day of the Triffids (1962) (where she was also matched with Kieron Moore):

http://watershade.net/public/janette-scott-day-of-the-triffids.jpg

Dramatic score. Filmed in Spain.

Available on Blu-ray from Olive Films.

http://watershade.net/public/crack-in-the-world.jpg