Journey to the Centre of the Earth is a late 70’s Spanish retake on the classic Jules Verne story. It’s a largely charming, and pacy family sci-fi action – with a likeable cast, slightly different twists of the original story, battling sea monsters, a giant gorilla, and a few other encounters. Here is the first release in some time from Severin’s weird & wacky family-focused sub-label Severin Kids- with the region-free Blu-Ray taking in a new scan of the picture, and a few extras.

From the year 1977 Journey to the Centre of the Earth(aka Viaje Al Centro De La Tierra, The Fabulous Journey to the Centre of the Earth). It was the first feature directed by Madrid-born Juan Piquer Simón- who will be known to fans of cheesy & gory Euro horror like Satan's Blood (1978), Picecs (1982), and Slugs (1988). And as the first features go- this is a completely captured & realized movie. The version we have here is the UK dub of the film- which again isn’t bad.

The film is set in the 19th Century opening in a bookshop where a long greyly bearded man with shades is trying to sell three books to the owner of the shop- he’s not interested as he says they have too much stock. But browsing the shelves nearby is a chunky sideburn Prof. Otto Lindenbrock (Kenneth More)- the geologist says he'll buy the books from the man.

He heads home to find his niece Glauben (Ivonne Sentis), and her young suiter Axel (Pep Munné) who’s a Prussian soldier larking about. Inside one of the books, they find a map, and a code- which says it reveals how to get into the centre of the earth. They break the code, and fairly soon set off to an inactive volcano where the way into the centre of the earth lies.

When they get to the site, they pick up Hans (Frank Braña) a local shepherd/ mountaineer who agrees to take sheep as payment for being their guide. They get to the volcano- descending into the centre of the earth via the use of rope ladders. After a few mishaps- like slipping on the ladders, losing their water supply, and getting stuck in quicksand. They meet a rather mysterious bearded man called Oslen- played by Jack Taylor- a very recognisable Euro cult actor who appeared in Pieces, and a fair few Jess Franco films.

As the group carries on their journey they come across an underground ocean- build a raft- encounter batting dino sea monsters, visit an island with giant towering mushrooms on, meet a colony of giant tortoises who try to eat them, get battered by a storm, encounter a giant ape, run away from the erupting volcano, etc. The effects/ set-ups look good enough for low-budget fare.

All of the cast is likeable- More works well as the geologist keen to get on an adventure, and we get nice lightly amusing banter between Sentis & Munné as his niece & her intended. Both Taylor & Braña present a sense of mystery. The whole thing is scored by a largely mellow & melodic soundtrack with a very vibe-forward feel.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth has a runtime of just under the one hour & a half mark- and save a few dry dialogue moments early on, it whizzes by in an entertaining & engaging manner. And after it's over you feel like a sequel with these characters would have been rather good.

This new Blu-Ray is region-free. It takes in a new 4k scan- this features a nice bold and bright picture, with everything well-balanced & defined. We get three new filmed interviews- The first is Movies Were His Life (20.56) which is with the director's daughter Isabel Pique- she gives a brief bio of her father’s pre-film-making career, before discussing the film to hand- she talks about how her father brought on respected special effects artists for the film. She recalls being an extra in the film with her mother, the difficulties with filming the storm scene, and how she had a teddy bear made from the leftover fur from the gorilla in the film. Next, we have Reckless And Fearless (14.02) with actress Ivonne Sentis, and A Tale Of Fabulous Fantasy (15.02) With Co-Writer Carlos Puerto. With a trailer topping the disc. 

Journey to the Centre of the Earth is not quite as wacky or bizarre as some of the releases to appear on Severin Kids. But it’s a competently made, and wholly entertaining example of the family sci-fi action genre.