At the Earth's Core (1976)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
34% of users liked it
(2,708 ratings)

This is the second sci-fi adventure based on a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first being 1975's The Land That Time Forgot. At The Earth's Core stars Doug McClure as explorer David Innes and Peter Cushing as professor Abner Perry, whose experimental "iron core" drill goes out of control and… More This is the second sci-fi adventure based on a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first being 1975's The Land That Time Forgot. At The Earth's Core stars Doug McClure as explorer David Innes and Peter Cushing as professor Abner Perry, whose experimental "iron core" drill goes out of control and leads them to the underground kingdom of Pellucidar, where the Wing People are ruled by the monstrous, flying Mahars. With the help of the professor, Innes leads the Wing People in revolt against their evil masters. Monsters and mayhem abound in what is essentially a well-produced, if somewhat juvenile, knockoff of The Time Machine. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Kevin Connor
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Cult Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Nov 20, 2001
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Good, old-fashioned rubber-monster movie fun.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
As low budget creature features go, this one's good fun.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

All the appeal of a Saturday morning kid's show. God bless Peter Cushing for being the one bright spot in this otherwise forgettable film.
Jason O

I remember watching this movie a few years ago after my granny told me that she was gonna watch it and that I should. I did and I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't the best of its kind that I have ever saw, but it was pretty good. An inventor and his sidekick go on a journey… More
I remember watching this movie a few years ago after my granny told me that she was gonna watch it and that I should. I did and I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't the best of its kind that I have ever saw, but it was pretty good. An inventor and his sidekick go on a journey to the center of the earth in a huge drilling machine. Once they get there, they don't discover lava or fire, they discover a lost world and a prehistoric tribe. They get held hostage and from that point on is when At The Earth's Core turns into a good movie. It'll keep you in suspense wondering how they're gonna escape and go back to the surface. If you like one of a kind adventures like this movie, I would definitely recommend getting At The Earth's Core. The only drawbacks I could see was that it was a little bit boring at the beginning, but it gets better all along. The special effects also weren't the best ever seen, but then again it what do you expect of a movie that came out back in the mid 70's? One more thing, most of the time I don't remember a movie all that great after just watching it once. But it's been about 2 years since I saw At The Earth's Core and I still remember most of it. It'll stick with you. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. I haven't seen this movie since then so not sure what I'd think, but I do remember parts of it and it was real neat.
Bruce B

This movie followed most of the other center of the earth movies, but its not all that bad, children would enjoy, also an adult with nothing else to do like myself. This came in a dual pack from MGM Midnite Movies. It took me a while to figure out that Peter Cushing was Dr. Abner… More
This movie followed most of the other center of the earth movies, but its not all that bad, children would enjoy, also an adult with nothing else to do like myself. This came in a dual pack from MGM Midnite Movies. It took me a while to figure out that Peter Cushing was Dr. Abner Perry as it appeared he lost a lot of weight from my memory of him. The beautiful girl was Caroline Munro who played Princess Dia, This movie was filmed in 1976, little did we know then that a Real Princess Diana would come along. Movie was filled with flying creatures in rubber suites, men who were the slaves of the rubber suited creatures and they reminded me of the plant of the apes early years. Our hero Doug McClure fights off monsters, fire lava, bad guys, wicked looking bird beaked monsters and in the end loses Princess Dia as she wants to stay in her world and not travel to his, myself I would have told the Doctor to go home without me as long as little Princess Dia agreed to cook and clean the cave. Modern day Sci-Fi Buffs would have a hard time enjoying this one, but if your in to the ole school Sci-Fi and Fantasy then Give it a try. Its not the worst film out there so 3 stars and its in my collection
xGary X

Hi! I'm Doug McClure. You may remember me from such films as...every film he made is hilarious rubbish, and this is no exception. Entertainingly awful!
Ed Fucking H

An entertaining, sci-fi/adventure film, about two scientists who find themselves in an alterior world while exploring the center of earth. The special effects are extremely campy, but are sufficient for this films needs. On this alternatre world at the center of the earth there are… More
An entertaining, sci-fi/adventure film, about two scientists who find themselves in an alterior world while exploring the center of earth. The special effects are extremely campy, but are sufficient for this films needs. On this alternatre world at the center of the earth there are still dinosaur(ish) like beings and humans are slaves to a weird race, who's main power source is a telkinetic relationship with rubber flying lizard birds. It is up to our two heroes to liberate mankind from this oppressive regime. This isn't a great film by any means, but it is an entertaining hour and went minutes. There ar laughs and thrills to be had. I don't get people who watch what is obviously a b-movie and complain about the special effects or the campy acting. Aren't those the main reasons to watch this kind of movie?
Barry L

Fantastic saturday morning romp through the earths core to....well somewhere else really. Great classic and really enjoyable.
Anthony V

Brings back warm childhood memories.