A Doomsday Movie That Still Holds Ground

Read Time:4 Minute, 46 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Crack in the World (Special Edition) (Blu-ray)
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Genre: Science Fiction, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Adventure, Action
Year Released: 1965, Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Andrew Marton
Writer(s): Jon Manchip White, Julian Zimet
Cast: Dana Andrews, Janette Scott, Kieron Moore, Alexander Knox, Peter Damon, Jim Gillen, Mike Steen
Where to Watch: Available May 13, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Mid-20th-century science fiction was something special—its boldness, theatrics, and obsession with man’s ability (and tendency) to push nature too far. CRACK IN THE WORLD from 1965 is a shining example of that era's grand-scale paranoia, reimagined through speculative science and volcanic tension. In this special edition Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, the film reclaims its spot in the disaster-thriller pantheon, even if time hasn’t been entirely kind to every part of the film.

Directed by Andrew Marton, the film follows a group of scientists attempting to harness geothermal energy by detonating a nuclear device deep within the Earth’s crust. Unsurprisingly, their plan goes sideways. What begins as a controlled experiment becomes a catastrophic chain reaction, splitting the planet's surface and triggering a worldwide crisis. It's classic doomsday cinema: a fusion of arrogance, urgency, and science run amok, executed with 60s flair and conviction.

The premise alone feels like it was built to showcase spectacle and existential dread. There’s a consistent, creeping sense of impending disaster. Marton knows how to stage scenes with a visual that emphasizes scale—crumbling infrastructure, scorching fault lines, and matte-painted chaos that, while dated, still deliver an odd charm. Though today’s audiences may be used to CGI destruction on a much larger scale, there’s something about the practical effects here. They evoke tactile fear, not because they’re realistic, but because they feel grounded in human effort—every frame shows the work.

Dana Andrews brings gravitas to his role as Dr. Stephen Sorenson, the scientist who risks everything to advance energy science. He walks the line between visionary and cautionary tale, a man whose desperation (both professional and personal) clouds his judgment. Opposite him is Janette Scott as Dr. Maggie Sorenson, caught between scientific protocol and emotional loyalty. While her character mostly operates within the genre's typical expectations—worried partner, voice of reason—Scott finds subtle ways to give Maggie agency, even when the script doesn't fully support it.

Kieron Moore rounds out the central trio as Dr. Ted Rampion, the dissenting voice warning against the consequences of such a reckless experiment. The triangle of tension between the three—professional, personal, and philosophical—gives the film its core. Unfortunately, it's also where the cracks start to show. The character dynamics lean heavily into melodrama, occasionally undercutting the scientific urgency with overwrought dialogue and soap-opera-like moments.

However, the film’s backbone holds up remarkably well. CRACK IN THE WORLD isn’t just about tectonic disaster—it’s about human hubris. It plays into the anxiety of scientific overreach, the tension between ambition and caution, and the idea that progress at all costs might leave us nothing to stand on. These themes were common in the postwar era, but the film approaches them with a sincerity that still resonates today. Ironically, the most important aspect of the film shows what happens when people in power ignore science.

The Kino Lorber Blu-ray edition adds value through its restoration efforts. The visuals are crisp for a film of its age, and the audio maintains clarity even during explosive sequences. While no restoration can fully disguise some more dated visuals, there’s a nostalgic charm in seeing lava eruptions and earth fissures rendered with practical effects and painted backdrops rather than computer graphics. These tactile visuals lend a certain gravitas that CGI sometimes dilutes, even if the seams occasionally show.

CRACK IN THE WORLD exists in that curious space between high-concept thriller and character-driven drama. It tries to be both, and while it doesn’t always strike the perfect balance, it never feels lackluster. There’s effort in every frame, from the performances to the effects, even when the budget and era-specific limitations creep in. It might not rank among the genre's all-time classics, but it earns its place as a compelling piece of speculative storytelling.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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