Customer Reviews

Land That Time Forgot [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is rather amazing that having used Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes for dozens of movies over the course of almost the entire century, Hollywood finally went back to ERB's novels to find another property for a film and ignored the John Carter of Mars series and went for "The Land That Time Forgot," a rather second-rate potboiler. But if you forgive the cheap special effects (be kind, it is a 1975 film) this is not a bad adventure story. Burroughs basically wrote his own version of "The Lost World" as a German U-Boat sinks a British ship whose crew manages to take over the submarine. Traveling to South America they find a lost continent where there are dinosaurs and cavemen (ergo, "The Land That Time Forgot"), neither of whom has any respect for civilized human beings.

Doug McClure stars as American adventurer Bowen Tyler in this British production. McClure and director Kevin Connor would make two other similar films based on Burroughs novels, "At the Earth's Core," from the more ambitious Pelucidar series and a sequel to this film "The People That Time Forgot." Along for the ride are the beautiful and brainy biologist in distress, Lisa Clayton (Susan Penhaligon), U-Boat Captain Von Schoenvorts (John McEnery) and his cunning second in command Deitz (Anthony Ainley), along with a savy Brit named Bradley (Keith Barron) who manages to be put off by being eaten by the dinosaurs longer than most of his mates. Of course not only do these people have to watch out for dinosaurs and cavemen, they have to watch out for each other. "The Land That Time Forgot" is a film that teaches its young British audience that even during World War I when the Germans were not Nazis you still could not trust them.

The story is basic adventure, with Tyler and company facing one peril after another. The script is decent, given the going ons; Michael Morcock worked on the script along with James Cawthorn, so there is an inherent assumption that all of the good stuff belongs to the noted fantasy writer. There is an attempt to get into some of ERB's reasoning for the existence of "Caprona," as the lost continent is called, but it only muddles the film until the action gets going again. The cast takes the situation seriously, which is a prerequisite in any film like this, but while the action is above average the special effects are tacky. The dinosaurs are laughable and the miniatures are not much better. Still, you get an indication of how much fun the action-adventures elements are (for this particular genre and this particular time) when the film still gets 4 stars despite the hokey dinosaurs.

I love this film. I wish they would release it on DVD. Yes the special efects are laughable, but this film has a lasting appeal because the characters are very well developed and well defined, and the story is wonderful and mesmerizing. This film has an intagible quality about it that makes it perfect escapist fare, and whenever I watch it I go back into my childhood "comfort zone" so to speak. If you're ever weary of the world and the pressures of work and life, pop in this film and escape to another world of wondrous imagintation.

It is also very educational for a child. I love it when von Schoenhertz and the English girl (who is very pretty by the way) who is a botanist are discussing the bacteria they found on Caprona. It succinctly presents the difference in perspectives between "German metaphysics" as she says, and "British empiricism" as von Schoenhertz says. Then they get into an argument over conduct of the Great War. She accuses the Germans of brutality, but von Schoenhertz presents his very Germanic, Neitzschean rebuttal by going off on how she is naive and "life is founded upon killing and destruction" and "the sea is teeming with living things that prey upon one another to survive." That's very philosphical stuff for such a movie, and a great way to get kids interested in these things. It's cool too because Dietz represents the brutal German the English girl accuses von Schoenhertz of being, when in fact von Schonehertz is actually more the reflective, scientific German in the vein of Schopenhauer, Freud and Jung and he is in many ways more civilized than anyone else in the film. He is the elder, wise father figure. The British are portryaed as pragamatic, rational and generally compassionate -- the diplomats. But who Burroughs really exalts above all others is Mr. Tyler, the American. He is the brash, young (as America itself is comparitively) man who exudes the physical, masculine side of life -- he is the virile Alpha male who acts and leads, the hero. Despite his basically boorish character, the English girl cannot help but to be very attracted to him even though she has much more in common with von Schoenhertz, the Thinker.

It's an interesting position that Rice Borroughs takes, namely that in his day and age, the value of the alpha male hero and his "animal magnetism" exceeds that of the more introverted, reflective man of von Shcoenhertz. This is understandable given the feeling in Britain at the time that the manliness of the nation was ebbing away and they had better recapture that masculine spirit or fade away. It's also interesting that Burroughs sees the American Tyler and hence America itself as a possible saviour of the Anglo-Saxon "civilization" or "race" or more specifically the old and tired mother of Great Britain which in its perceived malaise was losing ground to and being threatened by the more brutal, energetic and meticulous Germans. It's all very metaphorical. Given what happened in the Great War and then some 25 years later in WWII, he seems to have been very prophetic.

In any event, there is a huge subtext to this seemingly simple film, and a rich thematic exposition. It presents archetypeal themes and perspectives, and this is why I believe the film (and the book) holds up so well and is even a testament to history DESPITE the lame special effects, which, when compared to such heady stuff as the themes presented, are inconsequential to the value of the film.

God Save the Queen! Sorry, my Anglophilia carried me away there:-)

I can remember when I was seven years old and in love with dinosaurs, I thought The Land that Time Forgot was the greatest thing in the world. Now, as an almost fourteen year old film student (self-proclaimed), my opinions have somewhat changed.

The action sequences are spectacular (Particularly the various ship versus ship battles and the volcanic eruption). The prehistoric sets and the sets of the submarine are also very well made and convincing. However, the dinosaur effects aren't just convincing enough. This is especially with the recent C.G.I effects used in dinosaur films today. However it is clear that this is because of the low budget and not because the cast and crew had no talent.

But everything considered, I found this to be a fun, enjoyable movie I will watch whenever it is broadcasted on television. But, even despite the low cost, I would think before I purchase it. Unless, that is, it was a Special Edition DVD version (Hint Hint).

McClure was my first favorite actor ever, because of TV's "The Virginian". This is the best of the adventure movies he did with director Connor in the mid-70's, followed closely by "Warlords Of Atlantis". If it's possible to have something like an eternal crush on a movie; this is the one for me !. It'll always be a great pleasure to take yet another trip to the island of Caprona, with McClure & Co. O.k., the special effects may look dated and aren't Ray Harryhausen stop motion animation mastery, but so what ?. -That's only part of its very charm. And sure, the budget may also be a lot lower than, say, Disney's "Island At The Top Of The World" (made the same year), but you'll love it if you're young at heart. By the way, if there ever was a cult-classic in desperate need of restoration and letterboxing; this is the one indeed, folks.

Whenever I read reviews in movie guides I am saddened to see this film is given a hard time. Alright, so the dinosaurs aren't Harryhausen/Jurassic Park fare, but they're certainly a lot better than most other low-budget dinosaur/monster movies of their time (or since then, for that matter). A group of shipwrecked WW1 navymen board and take over the German U-boat which sunk their vessel. Before long, however, they are hopelessly lost, are forced to co-operate as they come across a lost island.

What really makes this film stand out is its superb atmosphere, its sense of drama, its believable characters, its well-staged battle sequences (both human and prehistoric), and its storyline involving an island as a living thing. A real classic, and one in the eye for those who scoff at the British film industry.

No, the dinosaur effects are not Jurassic Park and yes you can see the strings on the pterodactyl, but other than that this is a great flick. Had they been provided Harryhausen effects, this would be an all time classic. Everything other that the dinosaur effects are a bullseye. Gotta give Doug Mcclure some credit as a likeable enough hero. Great acting, good story and believable characters make for an awesome 90 minute diversion. The first 40 minutes when the sub and battleship battle looks great. I have always loved this flick and it's sequel, The People That Time Forgot. Widescreen DVD, anyone? Perhaps a double feature DVD with both parts? Wouldn't that be nice....

Excellent, enjoyable and well-paced adventure. An adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, this film involves a submarine-load of lost World War 1 seamen who stumble upon the uncharted land of Caprona, and as their supplies situation is desperate are forced to make a landing. Though it can be said that the special effects occasionally get iffy, so what? Most of the dinosaurs are excellent and the film is filled with atmospheric scenery, haunting music and genuine characters, including a memorable villain played by none other than Dr Who's Anthony Ainley. A wonderful, thought-provoking and occasionally even tear-jerking film.

This film is about British ship survivors, lead by Doug McClure, who join a German WW1 submarine crew (who sunk their civilian ship) to discover a prehistoric land in the South Pole. The special effects are good, with different caveman, dinosaurs, sea monsters, and flying reptiles. The sub abandoning McClure and Susan Penhaglion on the land whilst an earthquake and volcano destroy the place, but the sub explodes whilst escaping. The film ends with McClure sending a bottled message for help. The film's second part is The People That Time Forgot.

As one other reviewer put it, I love to pay a visit to Caprona! I loved these movies in the 70's. In the eighties, an artistic producer at an independent station in Miami would show both The Land That Time Forgot and The People That Time Forgot on consecutive Saturday and Sunday late nights! Bring out the Pizza! In addition to the atmospheric qualities of the sets and settings of these two films (much of which is on-location) they have another timeless quality: excellent music. Land Time Forgot has a distinctive moody tone to its score. People Time Forgot has a dynamic opening and closing theme which is used re-currently throughout the film. Doug McClure is perfect as Bowen Tyler, and yes, he is in the sequel, which anchors the two films perfectly. Supporting casts in both films are excellent, and hey! I thought the dinosaurs were great! The submarine special effects are worthy of Derrick Meddings, and the Amphibian Plane effects in the sequel are equally impressive. The "Forgot" part of the titles are eloquently staged in "Land" when the submarine steams upriver; and in "People" when the pilot, Hogan, starts to go stir-crazy back at the Amphibian campsite. BTW, Patrick Wayne and Sarah Douglas shine in the sequel as much as our heroes do in the first flick. I agree with others: It's time for these two to come out in wide-screen DVD--preferrably together! One more note: READ THE BOOKS! They are available separately or together. And surprise! They are actually a trilogy: The Land That Time Forgot, The People That Time Forgot, and Out Of Time's Abyss. Thanks, Mr. Burroughs!

If your kids love Jurrasic Park types of movies they will love this rousing fun adventure from the 70's where a group of explorers find themselves on a remote island full of creatures including dinosaurs. This tape is also inexpensive. Great saturday afternoon fun! Highly Recommend!