🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Kevin Connor
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 1976
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.1/10 (5.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two dudes in a giant drill accidentally create a Jurassic Park ruled by telepathic pterodactyls who have a serious slave labor problem; they decide to fix it, mostly because one of the slaves is super hot.
🍿 At the Earth’s Core: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Iron Mole and Unexpected Journey
Victorian scientist Dr. Abner Perry and his American financier, David Innes, embark on a test run of their newly invented “Iron Mole,” a subterranean drilling machine. Intended for a short test on a Welsh mountain, the Iron Mole malfunctions and drills much farther than anticipated, unexpectedly transporting them to a vast cavern at the Earth’s core.

Pellucidar: A World of Enslavement
Upon arriving at the Earth’s core, Perry and Innes discover Pellucidar, a prehistoric world inhabited by humans enslaved to the telepathic Mahar, giant bird-like creatures. They also encounter the Sagoths, pig-like humanoids who serve the Mahar and enforce their rule over the human population. The humans are oppressed, performing forced labor and facing constant threat from the Mahar and their Sagoth enforcers.

Rebellion and Romance
Innes and Perry decide to assist the enslaved humans, hoping to incite a rebellion against the Mahar. Innes finds himself drawn to Dia, a beautiful human slave, and their bond strengthens as they work together to plan their resistance. The two travelers gather allies, preparing for a dangerous confrontation with the Mahar and their forces to liberate Pellucidar’s inhabitants.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- David Innes (Doug McClure): An American financier who funds Dr. Perry’s expedition and becomes the action-oriented hero in the Earth’s core.
- Dr. Abner Perry (Peter Cushing): A Victorian scientist who invents the Iron Mole and leads the expedition to the Earth’s core.
- Dia (Caroline Munro): A beautiful Pellucidarian slave who becomes David Innes’ love interest.
- Ra (Cy Grant): A helpful Pellucidarian who aids David and Dr. Perry in their fight against the Mahar.
- Ghak (Godfrey James): A loyal and strong Pellucidarian who supports the rebellion against the Mahar.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Abner Perry: “You cannot mesmerize me! I’m British!” – Dr. Perry defiantly shouts this when the telepathic bird-like creatures try to control him.
- Dia: “It’s Jubal, the Ugly One!” – Dia warns David about the approaching, undesirable suitor.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1,500,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 At the Earth’s Core Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so the monsters look like they were rejected from a Godzilla movie, and the plot is as cheesy as a Wisconsin dairy convention. But honestly, I had a blast! Seeing Peter Cushing hamming it up and Doug McClure fighting rubber dinosaurs? Pure gold. The scene where McClure fights the saber-toothed hippo thing is peak B-movie entertainment. It’s the kind of movie you watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon and just enjoy the sheer ridiculousness of it all. I love everything about it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic B-movies”
- “Those interested in Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptations”
- “Viewers who enjoy campy science fiction”
- “People looking for light-hearted adventure films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild sci-fi violence”
- “Some scenes with monsters may be frightening for young children”
- “Suggestive costuming (Caroline Munro’s outfits)”
Professional Reviews
- Horror Asylum: “While effects are painfully bad, the movie’s spirit is fast-paced, humorous, and action-oriented. Cushing and McClure contrast stodgy Victorian England with Pellucidar’s colorful setting. Ignore the latest STAR WARS films and watch this B-movie delight.
- JoBlo.com: “At The Earth’s Core is total B-Movie delight! Watch it and be amused. Even allowing when it was made, the monsters are just bad, bad, bad, bad, bad! All rubber suited things with people inside. Couple that with Peter Cushing’s wonderfully useless routine and Doug’s stoic hero performance and you’ll laugh the whole way through
Audience Reactions
Caroline Munro’s heaving cleavage. No wonder my older brother was keen to take me to the cinema to see this one!: It’s a cheesy, fun movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, making it an enjoyable watch for those who appreciate B-movie charm.
Doug McClure ROCKS!: The movie has silly rubber monsters, fights, and a daft Victorian drilling machine. Viewers appreciate the charm and innocence.
Overall Consensus: Despite its low budget and cheesy effects, ‘At the Earth’s Core’ is cherished as a fun, campy, and nostalgic adventure film with memorable performances from Cushing and McClure.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Actor/stuntman Bobby Parr lost a finger during a fight sequence with Doug McClure that went wrong.”
- “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Edgar Rice Burroughs.”
- “Filmed at Pinewood Studios, the same studio used for many James Bond films.”
🖥️ How to Watch At the Earth’s Core?
Currently, ‘At the Earth’s Core’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options may vary by region. You can search Amazon for purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed At the Earth’s Core, you might like these similar films:
- The Land That Time Forgot (1974): Another Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptation starring Doug McClure, featuring a lost world of dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.
- Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959): A classic adventure film with a similar premise of exploring the Earth’s interior and discovering a hidden world.
- Warlords of Atlantis (1978): Another Doug McClure adventure involving lost civilizations and strange creatures, sharing a similar production style and tone.
- Kong: Skull Island (2017): A modern adventure film featuring a group of explorers encountering giant creatures in a hidden, prehistoric-like environment.
🛒 At the Earth’s Core Related Products
- Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Pellucidar: The Deluxe Illustrated Edition: This deluxe illustrated edition brings Edgar Rice Burroughs’ vision of Pellucidar to life with stunning artwork and detailed annotations, making it a must-have for fans.
- At the Earth’s Core [Blu-ray]: Experience the campy fun in high definition. This Blu-ray edition enhances the visuals and audio, making those rubber monsters more vivid than ever.
- At the Earth’s Core Movie Poster: A vintage movie poster of ‘At the Earth’s Core’. High-quality reproduction for a classic look. The artwork captures the essence of the film with Cushing, McClure, and the unforgettable monsters.
- Doug McClure Action Figure: A detailed action figure of Doug McClure as David Innes. Comes with accessories like a spear and a miniature Iron Mole. A tribute to the B-movie legend.
🎧 Soundtrack
At the Earth’s Core features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “At the Earth’s Core Main Theme” – performed by Mike Vickers
- “Pellucidar” – performed by Mike Vickers
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie ‘At the Earth’s Core’ was primarily filmed at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England.
Yes, ‘At the Earth’s Core’ is based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel of the same name, which is part of his Pellucidar series.
‘At the Earth’s Core’ was released in 1976.
🔥 Bonus Content
Brandon’s Cult Movie Reviews: AT THE EARTH’S CORE
Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in “At the Earth’s Core”? Brandon Tenold breaks it all down with hilarious accuracy. He doesn’t hold back, and honestly, you’ll never look at psychic pterodactyls the same way again! Check it out!
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