I still clearly remember watching The Land That Time Forgot. The first time I ever saw it was back when I was 9 years old, while sitting next to my father at a single-screen cinema located within our town. This was the time period when Doug McClure was my personal favorite and action hero. 44 years down the lane, this wonderful Blu-ray release from Umbrella Entertainment made me feel like a nine year old all over again, and had me grinning ear to ear. I can only wish that my father could have joined me and Tina as we enjoyed every second of the movie. He is the one who made me love cinema in the first place.
A German U-boat sinks a British ship during World War I, where only a few survivors manage to leak onto a dingy lifeboat. The remaining survivors spot the U-boat surfacing but with almost no supplies to survive on, they are left stranded in the ocean. With perfect timing, the survivors are able to overpower the German soldiers after they open the submarine hatches. Unfortunately, their takeover of the submarine is short lived, and they plunge into a sea of trouble trying to negotiate with the German officers. Surrounded by water and on the verge of running out of supplies, a pact is the only choice left.
They stumble upon a lost island that, after an exhilarating underwater journey through contorting caves, allows them to surface into a verdant realm occupied by numerous dinosaurs and early humans. Indeed, ‘The Land That Time Forgot’ does exist!
By discovering a source for crude oil, they hope to get refined fuel for the block submersible, stock up on food and water, and then attempt to get back. Naturally, this is not an easy endeavor. They must handle battling dinosaurs, primitive people, AND a massive volcano that is on the cusp of erupting. All of this makes escaping the island before everything goes to pieces a time-sensitive task.
I’ve said it once, and I will say it again. I’m an avid fan of this film, and without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best version to watch. Still, there are a few reservations I need to make for you who are not well acquainted with it.
The Land That Time Forgot refrained from the classic stop-motion animation methods that were prevalent during its release, famously utilized by Ray Harryhausen and others. Instead, it simply relied on crude puppets for each of the assisted monsters. Strutting strings can be observed when a pterodactyl flies down and capture a man in its gaping jaw. Other dinosaurs thrash around in a rigid manner which is uncomfortable to watch. It would not shock me to spot Muffin the Mule pass by in the background. Regardless, everything adds an immeasurable amount of grace as the action progresses.
With that said, I should mention as a fully grown adult now, this is the first time I have noticed the survivors are utter twats! They keep offering dinosaurs without being provoked by them, killing them just because there are some dinosaurs far at a distance. Take aim, shoot, repeat. Prehistoric man fares little better either, often being shot at for nothing more than a passing glance. Everything was turning out to be rather comical when I, together with Tina, who was watching this as a kid, was completely missing out on everything in front of me.
The cast is fantastic, and the ever dependable Doug McClure approaches his Juan Bowen Tyler performance with such charm that it is not surprising that everyone is willing to follow him. Susan Penhaligon is more than just a sympathetic love interest; she also jumps into the fray with glee. Keith Barron, as the ships Captain, made me forget about his character in ‘Duty Free‘ within a few minutes…which is a good thing! John McEnery’s portrayal of the German U-Boot Captain features a terrific character arc; he starts off stoically commanding his crew in battle against the British, and rounded off with a rather sympathetic man who wishes for everyone to leave the island in peace. But for me, it is Anthony Ainley as the German officer ‘Dietz” who outdoes my action hero of the time. Pure evil is embodied by him, and if he had a moustache in this movie, I guess he would twirl it in a menacing way. I secretly wanted to shout “BOOOO” and “HISSS” everytime he showed his face.
This light-hearted movie is suitable for the entire family and is around a very intelective and adventurous plot . I would recommend that instead of taking your kids to watch today’s computer generated image summer blockbusters, you show them how far imagination can take you when you watch movies like this. And yes, many have called me an old git, but I couldn’t be happier in my case, because this is just one of those movies that I love associating myself with.
Because of Umbrella Entertainment, I not only own The Land Before Time – The Movie, but I also admire the perfect picture editing that the movie includes and for giving me the chance relive my childhood once I place the movie into the blu-ray player.
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