A Journey to the Center of the Earth xx-xx-xx BBC (5 of 8) Battle of the Monsters

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: A Journey to the Center of the Earth (BBC, Part 5 of 8: "Battle of the Monsters")

Air Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Dramatic Adaptation: BBC Radio, based on Jules Verne's novel, adapted by Howard Jones

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Overview

This episode presents the fifth part of a radio adaptation of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Listeners join Harry Lawson, his uncle Professor von Hardwig (Harnvig), and their guide Hans as they traverse a mysterious subterranean sea. The group’s journey takes a perilous turn as they encounter enormous sea creatures in a dramatic "battle of the monsters," challenging their perceptions of prehistoric life and their own survival.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Progression

Recap and Setting the Scene (00:00–03:03)

• Harry Lawson narrates a recap of their journey: discovery of ancient runes, journey with Professor von Hardwig and guide Hans into the depths beneath Iceland's volcanic terrain (Sneffels), the challenges of thirst and darkness, and their recent discovery of a vast, electrically-lit subterranean sea.
• The atmosphere is awe-filled—subterranean landscapes are described with towering ferns and mushroom forests. The party prepares for a sea voyage, to Harry’s surprise.

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Construction and Launch of the Raft (03:03–06:50)

• Hans is revealed to be building a raft from "fossil wood," which to their amazement, floats despite being as hard as iron.
• The raft, once launched, demonstrates their resourcefulness and teamwork.
• Comical and touching banter occurs over the naming of their embarkation point, ultimately christened "Port Gretchen" after Harry’s fiancée.
  • “Port Gretchen. This is good.” (Professor, 06:40)
• They set sail, noting the extraordinary power of the subterranean winds and the endlessness of the central sea.

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The Voyage Across the Central Sea (06:50–15:55)

• The party experiences the strangeness of this underworld: perpetual light, immense seaweed, and a monotony that is both awe-inspiring and unnerving.
• Professor insists Harry keep a meticulous log.
• Fishing reveals living fossils—species long extinct, like Ganoides of the genus Pterichytus—remarkable in that these fish are completely blind:
  • “Yes, yes. To hold a living spectacle specimen such as this... is enough to make a naturalist happy for the rest of his life.” (Professor, 12:11)
• This ignites speculation about what other prehistoric creatures may inhabit this sea.

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Tension and the Professor’s Impatience (15:55–17:35)

• Despite their rapid progress, the Professor grows impatient and anxious over their route, questioning whether they are truly following the legendary path indicated by the 16th-century alchemist, Arn Saknussemm.
• Harry tries to soothe his uncle, valuing the wonders they've seen, but Professor von Hardwig remains determined and unsentimental:
  • “I did not come here for a picnic. I tell you, this voyage on a raft across a pond irritates and wearies me.” (Professor, 16:05)
• A lighter moment shows Hans reminding the Professor to pay his weekly wages—a brief, humanizing interlude amidst the tension.

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Ominous Signs and the Approach of Danger (17:35–21:03)

• Hans tries to measure the sea’s depth with a crowbar and cord, but it doesn’t reach the bottom. When they retrieve it, there are massive tooth marks in the iron.
  • The party is deeply unsettled, speculating about colossal, unknown sea monsters with the strength to bite iron.

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The Battle of the Monsters (21:03–25:44)

• One night, the raft is jolted by a tremendous shock. Creatures described as gigantic lizards, whales, turtles, and serpents, all of prehistoric aspect, are glimpsed amidst the tumult.
  • “A sea lizard of prodigious shape and size... and there a whale... see how she blows. Air and water.” (Professor & Harry, 22:08–22:37)
  • Monsters circle the raft, and Harry nearly fires until Hans calms him.
• The two main adversaries—an ichthyosaurus (fish-lizard) and a plesiosaurus (sea-crocodile/turtle-serpent)—engage in a titanic, hours-long battle while the adventurers cower on their fragile raft:
  • “The monsters attacked each other with inconceivable fury, raising mountains of water and showering us with spume.” (Harry, 24:20)
• The plesiosaurus is ultimately defeated, dying in a violent display as its body lashes the sea.
• The party wonders if the victorious ichthyosaurus will return for them:
  • “Has he gone down to some undersea cavern to rest and lick his wounds? Or will he reappear to destroy us?” (Harry, 25:15–25:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Discovery of Fossil Fish:
  • “To hold a living spectacle specimen such as this... is enough to make a naturalist happy for the rest of his life.” (Professor, 12:11)
• Professor's Frustration:
  • “I did not come here for a picnic. I tell you, this voyage on a raft across a pond irritates and wearies me.” (Professor, 16:05)
• Naming the Port:
  • “Port Gretchen. This is good.” (Professor, 06:40)
• Discovery of Monster Marks:
  • “There was no doubt about it. The indentations on the iron bar were the marks of teeth.” (Harry, 19:20)
• The Battle Itself:
  • “The monsters attacked each other with inconceivable fury, raising mountains of water and showering us with spume.” (Harry, 24:20)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Recap & Introduction — 00:00–03:03
• Building the Raft & Naming Port Gretchen — 03:03–06:50
• First Moments on the Raft & Perceptions of the Sea — 06:50–09:02
• Fishing & Discovery of Fossil Species — 10:44–12:44
• Professor’s Impatience — 15:55–16:55
• Discovery of Monster Tooth Marks — 18:48–19:20
• Jolted by Monsters & Battle Begins — 22:08–23:41
• Description and Outcome of Monster Battle — 24:20–25:44

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Tone and Style

The adaptation stays true to the dramatic, adventurous tone of Jules Verne’s original. Harry’s narration is vivid and reflective, while the Professor oscillates between scientific curiosity and irascible determination. The interplay among the three characters, especially Hans's stoic competence, adds warmth and occasional humor to the high-stakes narrative.

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Final Thoughts

This installment amps up the tension and wonder with the crew's encounter with unknown depths, mysterious creatures, and the centerpiece epic clash between prehistoric monsters. Each discovery challenges their scientific understanding and tests their courage. The episode ends with the travelers still afloat yet again left to face the unknown—setting the stage for the next perilous adventure.

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Transcript

[A]

My Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card is my go to accessory. When I shop, I can earn 3% cash back on US online retail purchases. Try on the Blue Cash Everyday Card. Learn [e-mail] Explore BCE terms and cash back cap apply. This is Radio 4 of the BBC. Welcome again to Story Time. We now present part five of Journey to the center of the Earth. We present Bernard Horsefall as Harry Lawson and Jeffrey Banks as Professor Von Hardwig in A Journey to the center of the Earth, the novel by Jules Verne, adapted for radio in eight parts by Howard Jones. Part 5 the Battle of the Monsters if you have followed my story to this point, you will recall that my name is Harry Lawson and that my uncle is the celebrated German scientist, Professor von Harnvig. I have told you how we chanced upon a fragment of ancient parchment bearing some mysterious runic writing. And how this led us to follow in the footsteps of a 16th century alchemist named Arn Sakhnesem into the crater of an extinct volcano in Iceland called Snefus. And so on a perilous journey to the center of the earth. Perilous, did I say? Well, judge for yourself. At the outset, we all but died of thirst. Then for four days I was lost in the darkness of those subterranean passages a hundred miles beneath the surface of the earth and driven to the verge of madness. My uncle cared nothing for such dangers as these. He is an eccentric, impetuous, wonderfully courageous man. As for Hans Bjelke, our devoted guide and companion, well, he went calmly, without argument or complaint. Wherever my uncle asked him to go. That was part of his agreement. While I was recovering from the injuries I suffered when I was lost, my uncle discovered a great subterranean sea, illuminated as if by daylight by some natural form of electricity. He called it the Central Sea. We explored its shores for a short distance and came upon gigantic grasses, ferns as tall as pine trees and a forest of mushrooms 40ft high. Presently, when my uncle spoke of embarking on a sea voyage, I thought he was joking.

[B]

My dear Harry, if you were to listen instead of talking quite so much, you would hear?

[A]

Yes? What would I hear?

[B]

Listen.

[A]

That's Hans. Hans, I say. Hans.

[B]

Hans.

[A]

What are you doing?

[B]

You speak. Master Harry.

[A]

What are you making?

[B]

You like this?

[A]

What are you making?

[B]

A raft, Master Harry. A raft. That's what it is.

[A]

For some moments I was struck dumb with astonishment and. And ore. The half finished raft was made from links of a very peculiar wood. And a great number of joints, boughs and pieces were scattered on the Sandy shore. My uncle, who had followed me, beamed with satisfaction.

[B]

What you see, my boy, is fossil wood.

[A]

Here is pine.

[B]

Here is a species of palm of the northern region, all mineralized by the action of the sea.

[A]

Then it must be as hard and as heavy as iron. It certainly won't float, uncle.

[B]

Indeed. Well, there's no proof. Like the proof of demonstration. I will throw a piece into the sea. There you are convinced.

[A]

The fossil wood floated. It was incredible, but it floated. Not for the first time was it borne in on me that my journey to the center of the earth was changing all my preconceived notions. Truly, it would not have astonished me to have seen a fleet of native canoes afloat on that vast grey sea. The very next evening the raft was finished. It was about 10ft long by 5ft wide, and the beams, bound together by stout ropes, were firm and solid. It took the united efforts of the three of us to launch it. But once launched, it floated tranquilly and evenly. The professor was delighted.

[B]

Splendid, splendid, my good hands. Now we have a means of locomotion other than our legs rapid and untiring. Tomorrow we go forward. We go forward.

[A]

On the next day, the 13th of August, we rose early. Hans had fashioned a mast from two lengths of wood skilfully joined together and a yard arm from another piece of wood. The sail was a linen sheet and we had no lack of cordage. I was forced to admit that our raft and equipment looked solid and seaworthy. At six o' clock in the morning, when the eager and enthusiastic professor gave the order to make ready, we carefully stowed on the raft. All our food, luggage, instruments, weapons and a good supply of sweet water which we had collected from from springs in the rocks. Hans had ingeniously contrived a rudder which enabled him to steer the raft with ease. He took the tiller as a matter of course, and he soon proved himself as good a sailor as he was a guide. At a word from my uncle, I untied the painter. The sail was brought to the wind and we moved swiftly seawards. Thus were our travels at last resumed. Once more we were setting out into the unknown. Just as we were leaving the little port where Hans had built the raft, my uncle was, who was always very keen on naming newly discovered places, turned to Hans.

[B]

What shall we call this place, Hans? Our stream, the Hans Bach was named after you. This sea I have called the central sea. But this place, where we have embarked on our famous and historical. Oh, we call Aftermath for Harry. Splendid. Then we shall name it. Port Harry.

[A]

Port Harry.

[B]

Yes, this is good. Very good. How do you like it, my boy?

[A]

Well, before you quite make up your mind, Uncle, I have another name to propose.

[B]

So what other names come out with it.

[A]

Gretchen.

[B]

Gretchen? My goddaughter's name.

[A]

Yes, Uncle. Have you forgotten I'm going to marry her?

[B]

Dear me. Yes, I believe that is the arrangement.

[A]

Port Gretchen will sound very well on our future map.

[B]

Port Gretchen. This is good.

[A]

Very good.

[B]

Very well, Port Grace. And let it be. Farewell, Port Graet.

[A]

Farewell.

[B]

Farewell.

[A]

We left the shore with the wind blowing from the northward and eastward. We sped before it splendidly, and it seemed to me that the winds at that depth a hundred miles down were much more powerful than winds at the surface.

[B]

Search feed such goods. If we continue at this rate, we shall cover at least two 30 leagues in the next 24 hours.

[A]

Already the northern shore was fading away. On the edge of the horizon. To east and west, the shores separated more and more, leaving the open sea before us. Soon I could see nothing ahead but the apparently limitless ocean. Huge dark clouds cast their gray shadows below, shadows which seemed almost to crush the water by their very weight. Silvery rays of light reflected here and there on odd patches of the sea brought out a luminous sparkle in the wake of the raft. Presently, we were wholly out of sight of land. Nothing could be seen save the sea around us. Without any distant point to focus my eyes upon, I could have fancied that we were motionless except for the phosphorescent sparkle in our wake.

[C]

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[A]

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[C]

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[A]

Into a massive seaweed. Never were seaweed so gigantic or so wonderful as those of the Central Sea. We swept past specimens three to 4,000ft long, looking like snakes stretching out far beyond the horizon. At last night came. So the chronometer told us. But the luminous atmosphere was in no way dimmed. And whatever its true nature and cause, we realized that it was a phenomenon on which we could rely with absolute certainty. As soon as we had eaten our supper, I stretched myself at the foot of the mast and presently fell asleep. Hans remained motionless at the tiller, the wind being aft and the sail square. We ran steadily on almost as soon as we left port Groichin. My uncle had instructed me to keep a regular log of our daily navigation, with all the most minute particulars. Wind direction, weather conditions, speed, distance, covered in a word, every detail and incident of this extraordinary voyage. From this log, therefore, I can tell the story of our adventures on the Central Sea. Friday, August 14th. A steady breeze from the northwest. We are moving fast, straight before the wind. There is a coast, dimly visible to leeward. Nothing to be seen ahead. The extraordinary intensity of the light neither increases nor diminishes. The weather is remarkably fine. That is to say, the clouds have risen to a great height and are light and fleecy, floating in an atmosphere like molten silver. Temperature 32 degrees centigrade.

[B]

You think there are fish in this sea? No, Hans, definitely not. No. Why do you think there are no fish? I think there might have been fish here once. Just as there were animals on the seashores. But we saw no animals, only their fussy bones. Well, perhaps there are no fish. But perhaps also there are. We will see.

[A]

Are you going to put a line down?

[B]

Oh, yes. See, I have baited him with a little piece of meat. And now I throw him in. Now we must wait and see.

[A]

For a long time, we were disappointed. Then at last came a sudden hard tug on the line. Hans calmly pulled it in.

[B]

So they are fish in this sea? Oh, yes. Splendid fish. Well done, Hans.

[A]

It's a sturgeon, uncle. Surely a small sturgeon.

[B]

Wait a moment, wait a moment. Give me time to put on my spectacles. So now pass the fish to me, Hans. Dear me, how he flips. Flat head, round body bone, scales, especially at the lower extremities. No teeth, highly developed pectoral fins. No tail worth speaking of. No, no, it is not a surgeon, my dear boy. Not by any means. It belongs to a family which has been extinct for countless Ages. There are remains of such a fish as this in the Devonian rocks.

[A]

A fossil fish, Uncle. Is that what you mean? A living fossil fish?

[B]

Yes, yes. To hold a living spectacle specimen such as this, to hold it in one's hand, is enough to make a naturalist happy for the rest of his life. It is of the order Ganoides, one of the family of Cephalospides, of the genus Pterichytus. But it is unique, even among Fosters.

[A]

Why unique?

[B]

It is blind, my dear boy. Not only blind, but absolutely without organs of sight. Hans, go on fishing, I command you. See if you can catch more and steal more.

[A]

Very good, master.

[B]

I fish again.

[A]

Hans baited the hook and threw it back into the sea. This subterranean ocean must have been tolerably well supplied with fish, for in two hours we took a great number of Pterichytes, as well as other fish belonging to another supposedly extinct family, the Dapterides. All, without exception, were blind. These unexpected captures enabled us to renew our stock of provisions most satisfactorily. Having discovered these fossil fish, I began to wonder whether we should discover some of those huge reptiles regarded as extinct, but which scientists have reconstructed from bits of fossilized bones. I picked up the telescope and scanned the horizons. I examined every visible part of the sea. It was utterly and entirely deserted. I looked up at the strange and mysterious sky. It was as silent and as empty as the shores we had but lately left. Saturday, August 15th. The sea retains its uniform monotony. The same leaden hue, the same eternal glare from above the horizon appears to retreat before us as we advance. There is no sign of land. The professor is in one of his morose and unaccountable humors. He spends his time scanning the horizon at every point of the compass. And when the telescope is not raised to his eye, he assumes a, well, a Napoleonic attitude. Why? What has he to be angry or annoyed about? Wasn't our voyage progressing under the best of circumstances? Wasn't our humble raft speeding along faster than we had ever hoped? What then was troubling him? When, for about the hundredth time, he put down the telescope and paced morosely up and down, up and down. I ventured to ask if anything was wrong.

[B]

Why do you ask me if anything wrong?

[A]

You seem uneasy, Uncle.

[B]

I am not uneasy, by no means.

[A]

But perhaps I should have said, impatient.

[B]

Is enough to make any man impatient.

[A]

I don't see why. I imagine not. Many rats have moved faster than we are moving now. It's fabulous.

[B]

So it is fabulous. What does it matter if it's fabulous or not. Not our speed, but the immensity of the sea which concerns me. It's so much bigger, so much wider, so much faster than I had expected.

[A]

Ah yes, you thought the sea was no more than 30 leagues across.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

And already we must have covered at least 90 or 100 leagues. But does it matter?

[B]

Does it matter? You ask me, does it matter? My boy, listen to me. We undertook a journey to the center of the earth, did we not? That is to say, we must descend. Descend all the time. Descend. But we are not descending now. We are moving in a horizontal direction. We are not progressing. All this is an utter waste of time. I did not come here for a picnic. I tell you, this voyage on a raft across a pond irritates and wearies me.

[A]

But uncle, if we are following the route indicated by Arn Sakjes, we can't be very far wrong.

[B]

But that is the question. As your immortal Shakespeare puts it, are we indeed following the wood of the great Sack museum? Did he ever cross this vast central sea? I am beginning to fear that the Hans Bar, the little stream we adopted for our guide, has led us astray.

[A]

Well, what if it has? In any case, uncle, we can't regret having come so far. It's worth all the hardships of our journey to enjoy this wonderful.

[B]

I care nothing about seeing wonderful scenery. I descended into the interior of the earth with one object, and that object I mean to attain. So pray do not talk to me about admiring scenery or any other sentimental rubbish.

[A]

After this outburst I thought it as well to hold my tongue. Indeed, nobody spoke again until six o' clock in the evening when Hans said.

[B]

Master, if you please, very hence. Today, I think, is Saturday. Saturday? What does it matter whether it's Saturday, Sunday or any other day? It is important, master. Today is Saturday and on every Saturday you pay my wages. Of course I undertook to pay your wages every Saturday, no matter where we happen to be. Here. Three Rix dollars, master. Here, here. One, two, three. Please collect. I thank you, master. Thank you.

[A]

Sunday, August 16th. Nothing new to record. The wind shows a tendency to freshen, perhaps with signs of an approaching gale. When I awoke, my first observation was in regard to the intensity of the light. For I confess that I am seized with a secret fear that this extraordinary electric illumination will in some way become dimmed or obscured and then perhaps extinguished, leaving us in total darkness. Nothing of the kind, however, occurs. The shadow of the raft, the mast and the sail are clear cut on the surface of the water. This wonderful sea, it seems Limitless in extent. It must surely be as wide as the Mediterranean, perhaps. Perhaps as wide as the great Atlantic Ocean. On more than one occasion, Hans has tried deep sea soundings. He tied the cross of one of our heaviest crowbars to the end of a cord, and this he allowed to run out to the extent of 200 fathoms. It did not touch bottom, and he had the greatest difficulty in pulling in the line. This morning he tried again. I went across to help him haul in.

[B]

Hit an E cure.

[C]

Good.

[B]

He's coming in. Well, now, wait. I will lift the crowbar onto the danger. There. Huh?

[A]

What is it, Hans?

[B]

These marks on the iron crowbar. You see?

[A]

Yes, what are they?

[B]

Tander?

[A]

Tunder.

[B]

What do you mean by that? Teeth. Yeah, teeth.

[A]

There was no doubt about it. The indentations on the iron bar were the marks of teeth. What jaws. What strength must the owner of such teeth possess? Had we disturbed a monster of some unknown species? A monster more voracious than a snake, more terrible and more massive than a whale. There was no means of telling, as on other Sundays we observed today as a day of rest and meditation. But for my part, I could scarcely take my eyes from the mauled crowber or my mind from the terrifying speculations that it aroused. Monday, August 17th. I have been looking at the crowbar again, and truly I am terrified. Again and again I ask myself whether I am fated to face some gigantic reptile of ancient times. And again and again I answer, no. It doesn't seem possible.

[B]

I just can't believe it.

[A]

And yet these marks on the crowbar, is there any doubt at all that they were made by the jaws of a monstrous crocodile? I fancy the professor in some measure shares my speculations, if not my fears. For after a close examination of the crowbar, he looked long and in all directions over this mighty and mysterious sea. What possessed him to leave the safe.

[B]

Shelter of the land, I thought.

[A]

And it was determined to be prepared for the worst. I examined our weapons and made sure that they were ready for use. My uncle watched me and nodded his head approvingly. Do I imagine it, or is there a movement, a swelling of the surface waters, indicating that something is stirring far? Tuesday, August 18th. Today has passed with no incident worth recording. Now, at last, it is evening. We are drowsy and ready for sleep. There is no night, properly speaking, in these parts, any more than there is summer in the Arctic regions, as summer is generally understood. Hans remains immovable at the rudder. He must sleep, of course, but when he does, I can't Say, this evening I dropped into a heavy sleep. Some two hours later I was awakened suddenly by an immense shock. The raft seemed to be lifted completely.

[B]

Out of the water. I take a thanks. Are these shipmates loud, master? I cannot make it out. A black mass. He went up and down. Big lizard, master? Yes. A sea lizard of poor prodigious shape and size. And there a whale. It is indeed a whale, Harry. Her great wind. And see how she blows. Air and water. Two columns of water rose to a.

[A]

Vast height above the sea.

[B]

We stood stock still, stupefied at the.

[A]

Sight of these fearful marine monsters.

[B]

Hans seized the rudder which had flown.

[A]

From his grasp and put it hard to windward. But there, to leeward, was a turtle.

[B]

About 40ft wide and a serpent quite.

[A]

As long, thrusting its hideous head from the waters.

[B]

Escape was impossible.

[A]

The reptiles advanced on us, turning and twisting about the raft with fearful swiftness. Nearer and nearer they came. The mighty crocodile on one side, the serpent on the other.

[B]

I snatched up my rifle in desperation.

[A]

And was about to try the effect.

[B]

Of a bullet when Hans checked me.

[A]

The monsters passed within a hundred paces.

[B]

Of the raft, then made a frenzied rush at one another.

[A]

It seemed to me that the other monsters, the whale, the lizard and the turtle, had joined this fierce and deadly struggle.

[B]

I pointed them out to Hans, but.

[A]

He shook his head.

[B]

No, no. I think it's best not to fight the gun master Harry. There are only two animals. Perhaps they do not see us.

[A]

Only two.

[B]

But Hans is right, absolutely right. I can see clearly through the telescope. Note down what I tell you, Harry. The first monster has the snout of a poise, the teeth of, I would say, a crocodile. The head of a lizard. Such a description is apt to deceive us. I would say the most fearful of all antediluvian reptiles. An ichthyosaurus, or great fish lizard. But the other. What about the other? A serpent. A monstrous serpent, concealed, as it were, beneath the carapace of a turtle. A sea crocodile. The plesiosaurus. This that. I'm well aware of that. Quiet. Now. I wish to concentrate on this wonderful spectacle.

[A]

The monsters attacked each other with inconceivable fury, raising mountains of water and showering us with spume.

[B]

Time and again we seemed on the.

[A]

Point of being overturned. The combatants were joined together in a.

[B]

Tight embrace so that I could scarcely distinguish one from the other.

[A]

An hour passed.

[B]

Two, three hours.

[A]

Now the great beasts drew closer to the raft. Now they drew away.

[B]

We crouched, ready to fire instantly, though.

[A]

I for one had no hopes we might Wound them or scare them away. Suddenly, both monsters vanished under the wal. There was a mighty maelstrom in the midst of the sea which all but sucked us under.

[B]

Ah, look, look. They come up again. Shall I shoot? No. Give me the telescope. Quickly. Ah. There are not two this time. There's only one. There's only the pleasure throne.

[A]

Now I could see that the great sea crocodile was wounded, wounded unto death. I could see its serpent like neck.

[B]

Threshing and curling and twisting in the agonies of dying. Now it flailed the waters like a whip. Now it twisted like a worm, sliced.

[A]

In two in all directions. The water spurted to a great height, sweeping clean over the raft and blinding us. Soon it became clear that the end of the beast was at hand. Its movement slackened, its contortions almost ceased. At length the body lay inert on the now calm and placid waters. And I thought, so much for the plesiosaurus. But what about the victor, the ichthyosaurus? Has he gone down to some undersea cavern to rest and lick his wounds? Or will he reappear to destroy us?

[B]

That was the fifth installment of A Journey to the center of the Earth, adapted by Howard Jones from the novel by Jules Verne. The cast was as follows. Harry Lawson was played by Bernard Horsfall, professor von Hartreek by Jeffrey Banks and Hans Bjorke by John Daglish. It was produced the north of England by Trevor Hill. You'll be able to hear the sixth installment of this serial at 5:25 next Thursday in story time on Radio 4, and that's called the Hurricane.