Cast
View All
John Carradine
as Prof. Millard Wyman
Robert Clarke
as Craig Randall
Phyllis Coates
as Dale Marshall
Allen Windsor
as Paul Whitmore
Sheila Noonan
as Lauri Talbott
George Skaff
as Dr. J.R. Matheny
Maurice Bernard
as Old Man in the Caverns
Joe Maierhouser
as Jim Wyman
Lloyd Nelson
as Wilson, Sonar Man
Harry Raven
as The Captain
Milt Collion
as Hank
Lowell Hopkins
as Reporter
Jack Haffner
as Jimmy, Reporter
Robert Carroll
as Narrator
Crew
Director
- Jerry Warren
Producer
- Jerry Warren
Reviews
Ackmovie
This film is one of your typical late 50's B-Movies. The premise is **somewhat** believable, but just not enough. The direction is somewhat decent, but I've seen other, better B-movies.
I found this in Wal-Mart on one of those Mill Creek compilation DVD's.
Nov 6, 2013
CinemaSerf
This could have made for quite a fun adventure, had the casting not been so terribly wooden! Four folks in a diving bell find them selves stranded in a network of caves. With now ay back to their colleagues on the surface, they must try to find a way out through the caverns - where they encounter their own equivalent of "Ben Gunn" (Maurice Bernard) who has already been down there for fourteen years. Meantime, topside, "Prof Wyman" (John Carradine) desperately tries to find a way to rescue them - but with the diving bell lost, can he find a way? There is a heck of a lot of back-projection and papier-mâché here. Not that that is so unusual, it's just that the cavernous scenarios and the really drab lighting make the film really quite dour to watch. It looks cheap! The dialogue and cast are just as mediocre, none of them stand out and the characterisations do tend to stereotype when things get perilous. If there was a budget, it went on the coffee - and I am afraid this is just not very good, interesting or captivating and you can spot the (magnified) archive footage a mile away.
Apr 4, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, The Incredible Petrified World explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Jerry Warren brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1959, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Incredible Petrified World took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 70 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 99 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 1147 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1959, when this film was released:
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Incredible Petrified World shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Pressure, which focuses more on action than character development, The Incredible Petrified World subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life and Jaws 2 explore similar territory, The Incredible Petrified World stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 18, 1959
- Runtime: 1h 10m
Where to Watch
