Cast
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Victoria Vetri
as Sanna
Robin Hawdon
as Tara
Patrick Allen
as Kingsor
Drewe Henley
as Khaku
Sean Caffrey
as Kane
Magda Konopka
as Ulido
Imogen Hassall
as Ayak
Patrick Holt
as Ammon
Jan Rossini
as Rock Girl
Carol Hawkins
as Yani
Maria O'Brien
as Omah
Connie Tilton
as Sand Mother
Maggie Lynton
as Rock Mother
Jimmy Lodge
as Fisherman
Billy Cornelius
as Hunter
Crew
Director
- Val Guest
Writer
- Val Guest
- J.G. Ballard
Producer
- Aida Young
Reviews
whitsbrain
This sat in my Watchlist for a long time. It's not been available to stream anywhere. Because I'm a nut for stop-motion effects, dinosaurs, and maybe even for cave women, I coughed up the $20 for the blu-ray and watched it. It's not a good movie. There are lots of barely clothed cave people shouting "AKEETA!!!!!" every other word. It's uncertain what that word actually means because all of the actors apparently just made up a language as they filmed.
Basically, Sanna and Tara form a bond and everyone else chases them around. If caught, they will be killed because Sanna (Victoria Vetri) was supposed to be sacrificed, escaped, and has made the sun angry or some such thing. In the end, there's a happy ending as the moon is formed from the sun (???!!!), and everyone is killed by a massive tidal wave except Sanna and Tara, and a swinging couple that they've befriended.
The stop-motion effects were very well done by Jim Danforth. There were a couple of lesser effects where they glued fins and stuff to a lizard, crocodile, and Komodo dragon, and I'd like to think that Danforth had nothing to do with those misfires. I'm assuming it was done by some other scrub who was forced to do so by cost-cutting executives.
In summary, this was not much of a movie, but it was fun to watch. I liked the effects overall, and was very impressed with Victoria Vetri and Magna Konopka, for reasons that might be obvious, but that's my business.
Jan 30, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth 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 Val Guest 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 1970, 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 When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth took approximately 13 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 100 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 148 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The costume department created over 494 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1970, when this film was released:
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Moonwalker, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Wildwood and The Land That Time Forgot explore similar territory, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 25, 1970
- Runtime: 1h 40m
