Unknown World is a science-fiction adventure movie, released in 1951, directed by Terry O. Morse, and written by Millard Kaufman, who also wrote the screenplay for the classic film Bad Day at Black Rock. The cast of Unknown World includes Bruce Kellogg, Otto Waldis, Jim Bannon, and Tom Handley. The plot revolves around Dr. Jeremiah Morley, played by Otto Waldis, a wealthy scientist who funds a project to explore the Earth's crust. Dr. Morley believes that the Earth's survival depends on the creation of a new underground civilization as a backup plan in case a nuclear war destroys the surface world. To achieve his goal, Dr. Morley enlists the help of a team of experts, including geologist Dr. Ralph Martin (Bruce Kellogg), mining engineer Dr. Bill Stanton (Jim Bannon), and biologist Dr. Frank Petersen (Tom Handley). Morley claims to have created a special drill that can burrow through the Earth's crust.
The team sets off on their journey, with their destination being the Earth's core. However, they soon discover that the journey is more treacherous and dangerous than they had anticipated. With limited time and resources, they must overcome a series of obstacles, including cave-ins, earthquakes, and raging storms. Along the way, the team discovers several unusual subterranean creatures and even a lost civilization of humans.
Throughout the movie, the characters face several moral dilemmas as they face these challenges. For instance, there is a love triangle between Dr. Martin, Dr. Stanton, and the team's only female member, Dr. Joan Lindsey (played by Marilyn Nash). There is also tension between Dr. Morley, who seems to have his own agenda, and the rest of the team.
As the team approaches the Earth's core, they realize that time is running short, and their perilous journey may have been for nothing unless they find a way to make it back to the surface world. With their lives on the line, they must navigate through the disorienting conditions they face and find a path to survival.
Unknown World was made during the early years of the Cold War, where the fear of nuclear annihilation was very real. The film reflects this anxiety, as Dr. Morley firmly believes that the surface world would eventually be destroyed by atomic bombs. Hence, he focuses his resources on building a new civilization underground to ensure the survival of the species.
Unknown World has been criticized for its technical inaccuracy and low production values. The special effects, although ambitious for the time, are not entirely convincing, and the film's pacing can be slow at times. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable and interesting movie that explores the theme of human survival in the face of overwhelming odds.
In conclusion, Unknown World is an entertaining and thought-provoking sci-fi movie that will appeal to fans of the genre. It is a product of its time and reflects the Cold War-era tensions and anxieties that prevailed during the early 1950s. Ultimately, it is a movie that asks us to consider questions of human survival and the lengths we would go to preserve our species.