NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (May 2025): Kino has transferred Andrew Marton's Crack in the World to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative". Back in 2011, we compared the Olive DVD and Blu-ray HERE. Kino's new 1080P is a massive upgrade in all video areas. Colors show much warmer skin tones and the resulting image is significantly sharper. Shot by Spanish-born Manuel Berenguer (The House That Screamed, Krakatoa: East of Java, King of Kings) in Technicolor with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Crack in the World employs dynamic cinematography to balance the intimate human drama with the grandiose scale of its planetary disaster narrative. Berenguer’s work captures both the sterile precision of scientific ambition and the chaotic destruction unleashed by it. The look of Crack in the World is a compelling blend of 1960s sci-fi optimism and disaster film grit, creating a visual aesthetic that’s both functional and spectacular, as well as supported dynamically by the 1080P. The vibrant Technicolor palette and dynamic disaster sequences - fiery volcanoes, splitting earth - deliver visceral thrills via this HD presentation. This is a highly pleasing upgrade.

NOTE: We have added 56 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Kino uses a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The crack’s spread is accompanied by a cacophony of effects -- rumbling low-frequency quakes, cracking rock sounds, and explosive booms for the nuclear detonations. Volcanic eruptions feature roaring lava flows and sizzling ash, while tsunami scenes use crashing waves and panicked crowd murmurs. These effects, crafted with 1960s sound design techniques, are exaggerated for dramatic impact, creating a sense of apocalyptic scale, though some lack the realism of modern foley work. The lossless transfer restores clarity, minimizing hiss or distortion. The aesthetic of Crack in the World balances gritty realism (drilling operations) with speculative spectacle (planetary fracture), reflecting the era’s sci-fi fascination, though budget limits occasionally show in uneven effects. Johnny Douglas’s (The Railway Children, The Incredible Hulk - TV Series, 1965's City of Fear) orchestral score is dramatic with pounding percussion and ominous brass amplifying disaster scenes, though it lacks a melodic distinction. The effects are a highlight, delivering the film’s spectacle with visceral intensity, though their 1960s artificiality (e.g., exaggerated booms) may feel dated to modern ears. Via the lossless, the soundscape of Crack in the World is a robust, functional blend of 1960s sci-fi and disaster film conventions, prioritizing dramatic spectacle and narrative clarity over emotional nuance. No issues. Kino offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film historian / screenwriter Gary Gerani (Fantastic Television.) Gerani offers a detailed analysis of the film’s production, themes, and context. There are insights into Andrew Marton’s direction, the performances (e.g., Dana Andrews’ tragic arc), Eugene Lourié’s special effects (lava flows, quaking fault lines, and the climactic moon ejection,) and the film’s Cold War nuclear context. Gerani’s expertise includes a blend of technical detail (e.g., effects techniques) and historical context (e.g., 1960s sci-fi trends), making it a valuable addition for fans and scholars. The track is engaging. Bravo. Included is a two-part 1+ hour on-camera 'Sidebar' discussion, featuring film historian Tim Lucas (Throat Sprockets) and artist/film historian Stephen R. Bissette (author of Cryptid Cinema: Meditations on Bigfoot, Bayou Beasts & Backwoods Bogeymen of the Movies,) exploring the film’s production history, visual effects, how they both saw it as children, and its cult status. They zone in on Budapest-born Marton’s career (Around the World Under the Sea, Seven Wonders of the World, The Devil Makes Three,) Lourié’s effects innovations (e.g., miniatures for the crack), Dana Andrews, Janette Scott, Kieron Moore, and the film’s 1960s sci-fi context, drawing on Lucas and Bissette’s prior Kino sidebars (e.g., The Colossus of New York,). Their enthusiastic, anecdote-driven style ensures an informative and engaging feature, ideal for genre enthusiasts. I really enjoyed watching. Lastly, there are trailers for The Day the Earth Caught Fire and Last Man on Earth but none for Crack in the World. The package comes in a slipcase and has a reversible sleeve (see below.) 

Andrew Marton's Crack in the World has a clear progression from setup to crisis to resolution, set against the backdrop of a scientific experiment gone awry. The structure adheres to disaster film conventions -- scientific ambition leads to catastrophe, followed by desperate mitigation -- while incorporating a speculative sci-fi twist (the new moon). The pacing accelerates from a slow, tension-building first act to a frenetic second and third, driven by escalating stakes. There are themes of scientific hubris, Cold War anxieties, human sacrifice, and environmental consequences, reflecting 1960s concerns. The crack itself is a potent symbol of fractured human ambition, splitting the Earth as Sorenson’s illness fractures his judgment. The volcano, a recurring motif, represents nature’s untamed power, while the new moon signifies rebirth amid destruction. Crack in the World is a compelling, if flawed, sci-fi disaster film that blends ambitious spectacle with Cold War anxieties. Crack in the World's strengths include a bold premise, effective but modest effects, and Andrews’ nuanced performance. The thematic depth of scientific hubris make it a standout B-movie, preserved in high-quality Blu-ray release from Kino. 1955-1975 era’s fascination with apocalyptic and disaster scenarios, share Crack in the World’s focus on nuclear risks, scientific missteps, and global survival. The Day the Earth Caught Fire and Fail-Safe are closest in their serious tone and nuclear focus, while Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and When Worlds Collide match its blend of science and spectacle. The Kino Blu-ray is the definitive digital presentation of Andrew Marton’s 1965 sci-fi disaster classic. The Brand New HD Master from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative delivers a vibrant, detailed 1080p transfer, enhancing the Technicolor palette and Eugene Lourié’s effects, surpassing previous editions. If you are a fan of the genre, this should not be passed up. It seems to get more embraceable each time I view it. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze