In 1863, Professor Lidenbrock, a geologist from Hamburg, discovers a manuscript in ancient Icelandic. His nephew Axel deciphers the code, revealing a path to the Earth's center. They travel to Iceland and hire Hans, a local hunter, as their guide. The trio begins their descent into the Earth's interior via the Snæfellsjökull volcano. Axel grapples with the emotional turmoil of leaving his home and fiancée, Gräuben.