Harold’s Old Time Radio: A Journey to the Center of the Earth (Part 7 of 8) – "The Mysterious Dagger"

Original Airdate: February 12, 2026
Adapted for Radio by: Howard Jones
Cast: Bernard Horsfall (Harry Lawson), Jeffrey Banks (Professor von Hardwig)
Producer: Trevor Hill

Episode Overview

In the seventh episode of the BBC radio adaptation of Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Harry Lawson recounts the perilous and awe-inspiring continuation of their subterranean voyage. After surviving a furious storm at sea, Harry, his uncle Professor von Hardwig, and their guide Hans find themselves unexpectedly returned to familiar shores. Amidst mounting tension and trepidation, the party uncovers ancient fossils and a mysterious steel dagger – evidence of a predecessor. Their journey drives forward with discoveries, existential questions, and a daunting new barrier ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Return to Familiar Shores after Disaster

• Summary: The group is cast ashore after a tempest, realizing the storm has delivered them back to Port Gretchen rather than carrying them forward.

  • "Do you realize what this means? ...We've been carried back to the shores of Port Gretchen." (Professor von Hardwig, 02:22)

• Tension: Harry expresses frustration and concerns about the prospect of setting out once more across the treacherous subterranean sea, but his uncle remains relentless in his pursuit.

  • "It's an act of sheer lunacy to take risks for a second time on this treacherous sea." (Harry Lawson, 03:35)

2. Reluctant Repairs and Preparation

• Summary: Professor von Hardwig insists on repairing the raft with Hans’s help, undeterred by setbacks, while Harry is sullenly resigned to further adventure.
• Notable quote: "We shall see who is going to triumph in this immortal contest, man or nature? Forward. Forward, I say. To the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 03:02)

3. Exploration of the Ancient Shoreline

• Summary: Before leaving, the Professor insists on a thorough exploration. They traverse a landscape marked by colossal prehistoric shells and, shockingly, a graveyard of ancient bones.
  • "It is a symmetry. It is bones, bones, all bones." (Professor von Hardwig, 06:55)
• Discovery: A perfectly preserved human skull among the fossils raises existential questions about past subterranean life.

4. The Forest of Time and the Giant Shepherd

• Summary: Their path leads into a vast primordial forest, home to ancient flora and, astonishingly, living mastodons – and a humanoid giant herding them.

  • "Look, you're not; there is a human being. ...A man like ourselves." (Professor von Hardwig, 11:51)
  • Harry details the titanic figure: "His height I judged to be above 12ft. His head, as big as that of a buffalo..." (Harry Lawson, 12:10)

• Philosophical Doubt: Harry doubts the giant is truly human, instead suggesting a prehistoric hominid.

  • "I don't believe he was a man like us. Not Homo sapiens. ...That was a man-like creature. But it wasn't a man. A gigantic monkey of some sort." (Harry Lawson, 14:02)

5. Discovery of the Mysterious Dagger

• Summary: While retracing their steps, they stumble upon a steel dagger of 16th-century Spanish make – not belonging to any of the party.
• Investigative Dialogue:
  • "Oh, rusty old dagger. Why did you bring that thing with you?" (Professor von Hardwig, 16:10)
  • "It's not mine... it's not Hans's. Could it be the weapon of some ancient warrior? Or of some living creature?" (Harry Lawson, 16:41)
  • The Professor deduces its origin: "This weapon is a true dagger, such as was carried by gentlemen in their belts during the 16th century. ...Clearly, this one is of Spanish workmanship." (Professor von Hardwig, 17:01)

6. Evidence of Arnus Saknussem and Renewed Purpose

• Summary: The dagger is connected to the legendary Icelandic alchemist Arnus Saknussem. They discover Saknussem’s initials carved on a rock, confirming he had passed through and left clues for future explorers.
  • "A man has been here before us. A man who has tried once more to indicate the right road to the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 18:13)
  • "Yes, I was right. I was right. Arnus Sacnussen. Always the great Al Sacnussem." (Professor von Hardwig, 19:15)
  • "Your name, carved at every important stage of your journey, leads the hopeful traveler direct to the great discovery to which you devoted such energy and courage." (Professor von Hardwig, 20:15)

7. A New Obstacle: The Blocked Gallery

• Summary: The team reaches a newly revealed tunnel – this "proper road" to the earth’s center – only to find it blocked by a massive granite boulder, likely the result of a past earthquake.
• Sense of Urgency and Resolve:
  • "If we don't smash it down somehow or other, we're not worthy to follow Saknussem. ... We don't even deserve to reach the center of the Earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 25:52)
  • The only solution: blasting through with explosives. "There is another way: we can blast the rock to smithereens." (Professor von Hardwig, 26:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Forward, forward, I say. To the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 03:02)
• "It is bones, bones, all bones." (Professor von Hardwig, 06:55)
• "Who knows? Who knows? It may not be a laughing matter. Uncle, if there are men still here, how are they going to receive us?" (Harry Lawson, 09:29)
• "There is a human being. ...A man like ourselves." (Professor von Hardwig, 11:51)
• "This weapon is a true dagger ... Clearly, this one is of Spanish workmanship." (Professor von Hardwig, 17:01)
• "A man has been here before us. ...Somebody has been here before us." (Harry Lawson, 18:04)
• "Let this cape be known for all time as Cape Saknussm." (Professor von Hardwig, 21:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Recap and return to Port Gretchen: 00:33–04:20
• Exploring prehistoric shoreline (bones and skulls): 06:17–08:48
• Encountering the primordial forest and the giant shepherd: 09:45–14:29
• Discussion about the giant’s humanity: 14:02–14:29
• Finding the mysterious steel dagger: 16:10–17:31
• Discovery of Saknussem’s initials and legacy: 18:04–21:15
• Blocked passage and plan to use explosives: 24:40–26:14

Tone & Style

The episode is steeped in awe and scientific curiosity, fueled by Professor von Hardwig's relentless optimism and Harry’s more measured, skeptical perspective. The tone oscillates between wonder, desperation, and resourceful resolve, culminating in a sense of historic discovery and looming peril.

Conclusion

This installment expertly blends suspense, scientific marvel, and existential questioning. The unearthing of the ancient dagger and Saknussem’s mark intensifies the mission’s urgency and connects the explorers to a lineage of subterranean adventurers. Yet, the newly discovered way ahead is now blocked by a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, setting a dramatic cliffhanger for the final episode. The team’s resolve is undimmed: "Forward – to the center of the earth!"