REVIEW: When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth
Director: Val Guest
Year 1970
 
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth is a fantastic prehistoric adventure film that continues the grand tradition started by Hammer Films in 1966 with One Million Years B.C., and that’s showcasing cleavage and clashing dinosaurs. This combination is as exciting as you would imagine and no one did it quite like Hammer when it came to the blending of fantasy and horror elements with the breathtaking beauty of some of the most mesmerizing starlets.
 
The film follows the misadventures of the young and beautiful Sanna, a woman who is marked by her tribe for sacrifice but through a series of unexpected and cataclysmic events is saved and brought into the arms of Tara, a man from a neighboring tribe. Being blamed for the unfortunate events that followed her escape, Sanna must survive the brutal world of this fictitious prehistoric landscape while at the same time staying out of the vengeful path of her former tribe, who would like nothing more then to see her sacrifice fulfilled. Run Sanna, Run!

This film is a blast as it combines two thing that never in a million years ever existed in the same place and time, but melds them together so believably that you can’t help but wonder, why the hell not. The role of Sanna, the young blonde outcast, is played by the fit and well equipped Victoria Vetri. Having never seen her act before, I didn’t know what to expect, but she did a great job with the material and lack of dialogue. In this movie, the actors were forced to find a more primal sense of conveying their actions and Victoria did a stupendous job through mannerisms and facial expression, allowing us to see her innocent and brave character come to life. For the most part, you don’t even acknowledge the lack of dialogue because the actors are set in that Neanderthal style of thinking and follow through with this technique with commendable effort.
 
The other main character of When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth is that of Tara, a young man with a sensible head on his shoulders, played by Robin Hawdon. Hawdon was another actor that I hadn’t been familiar with before viewing this film, but he does his heroic character justice and is able to have some rather inspiring moments that show off his noble sensibility as an actor and of course his athletic ability. It’s great to see him take on giant lizards, terrifying sea creatures, and everything in between in order to save Sanna from the constant dangers she encounters throughout this film.
 
What is really great about the two main characters of Sanna and Tara is that they have a special chemistry between them and we root for them to stay together throughout the story. Both Victoria and Hawdon sell this notion and give us hope that they can weather the storm and push back any adversity this prehistoric world throws at them. The central theme of the film is the connection that these two characters have and the relationship that they share, and the actors do a tremendous job in selling this fact.

Another aspect of this film that really works is the fantastic world that the filmmakers have created. The notion that man and dinosaurs coexisted in some long distant forgotten past, is a crazy thought and downright ludicrous, but Val Guest sells this topsy-turvy concept through the use of some expansive, on location, locales that showcase a tremendous scope and an epic ambition for the production. The deep valleys and extensive coast lines are glorious to behold and even the matte painting work is quite impressive and awe inspiring.

The effects work is equally extraordinary, with some convincing stop motion animated creatures that interact with their human counterparts amazingly well. The film has a great variety of dinosaurs that grace the screen in the most impactful of ways, including a triceratops, a pterodactyl, a plesiosaur, and even some other iterations of prehistoric beasts to spice up the action. To note, there are a few scenes where dinosaurs are represented by live action alligators with horns on their head, but they are so far and few between that they really don’t take away from the film that much. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, stop motion works in these types of film so keep with the animated monsters. This film is a good example of that mantra, showcasing some of the most accomplished animated characters that the genre has introduced over the years.

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth is a remarkable and accomplished fantasy picture that just so happens to be a ton of fun. Hammer Films managed to make a classy prehistoric romp, filled with camp flavor and cleavage filled elements. The mixture is somewhat reminiscent of their horror efforts of the 70’s. There’s an aura of class and atmosphere, but they manage to wedge in these guilty pleasures that genre fans just love.
 
The acting, which comprised of limited words and grunting, was admirable across the board, forcing the actors to rely on their mannerisms to convey the intended effect or emotion of the moment. The technique worked for this movie and established the savage world in which the characters lived in. The effects work was also vital in establishing the validity of the fantasy world on screen. The creatures and beasts leap to life in vivid conceptualized glory, showcasing some outstanding stop motion animation that must have made Ray Harryhausen proud. Put all of these elements together and you have yourself one hell of an entertaining flick. When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth is a prehistoric film that…..

Those crazy cavemen are up to their wacky antics again. 

Take it easy! It's just a mask lady.

This can't be good.

Westside! Represent!

Ahoy there! We come bearing a hot chick!

Now that we trapped it, what the hell are we going to do with it?

How cute. A pet dinosaur.

Uncle grumpy Sam wants you!

Hubba hubba.

It's not fair! She's hotter than me!

This dude fell head over heals for this dino.

Run, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me I'm the neanderthal man.

Can we keep it?

What the shit are you doing near my eggs?

You're such a man's man Tara.

Wipe that smug look off your face.

SURPRISE!

Welcome to the prehistoric jungle baby! Your ass is gonna die!

Maybe if we stand perfectly still, it won't see us. Screw that! RUN!

TITLE SEQUENCE: Technotise Edit & I

Techotise: Edit & I

Director: Aleksa Gajic, Nebojsa Andric, Stevan Djordjevic 

Year 2009

i SPY EUROSPY: OSS 117: se dechaine

OSS 117: se dechaine
Director: Andre Hunebelle
Year 1963
 
OSS 117: se dechaine is the first post Bond spy film of an outstanding series of French films showcasing the espionage filled adventures of agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath. Directed by Andre Hunebelle and filmed in crisp and atmospheric black and white, the movie is an absolute stunner, taking cues from the Bond formula that was introduced a year earlier and just rolling with it in style.
 
The story of se dechaine follows secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath AKA OSS 117, as he investigates the recent death of fellow agent Roos who had an unfortunate accident off the shores of Bonifacio, France while scuba diving. Smelling foul play, Hubert flies into the coastal town of Bonifacio, interrogating all who had interacted with his late friend just before his death. His investigations eventually take him to a remote location, where a new submarine detector has been developed on. This new device could tip the fragile peace between warring factions and cast the earth into another world war, so obviously OSS 117 has to put a monkey wrench in their plans. This classy effort is as fun as it sounds, provided by some beautiful photography and an interesting and engaging cast.

Kerwin Mathews you beautiful bastard, you’ve done it again. Having spent a great deal of his earlier career starring in swashbucklers and fantasy flicks, Mathews steps into the Eurospy light with this fantastic first real Bond-like entry in the OSS 117 series. Bringing all the charm and wit that made him a star in his earlier roles, Mathews really makes the character of Hubert de la Bath come to life. His athletic ability also didn’t hurt his chances on creating an engaging and adventurous disposition for agent OSS 117, providing some really energized fight scenes and immaculate set pieces. His performance on this film even garnered him a return in the next OSS 117 entry entitled Panic in Bangkok. Both of his efforts in this series are highly entertaining, making me wish that he would have continued on with the winning formula. Who knows what other wonders he could have brought the Eurospy genre.
 
Providing some extra appeal for the film is actress Nadia Sanders who plays the role of Brigitta, one of the surviving members of Roos’ scuba diving team. Her role in the film is rather essential and she provides a good deal of twists and turns that help move the movie along into some interesting avenues. Her beautiful looks and innocent demeanor provide a curious combination for Hubert to contend with and her troubled past is quite revealing when all the chips are laid out on the table at the end of the film. Nadia is a classy actress and her presence in se dechaine is a welcomed one.

While being somewhat of an early bloomer in the post Bond timeline, OSS 117: se dechaine seems to have latched onto the formula with an accomplished sense of ease. The globe trotting aspect that was first introduced in Connery’s Dr. No, is in full effect in this film providing some luxuriously breathtaking looks at Bonifacio, Toulon, and Nice. There’s also the inclusion of some various yet stunning women for Hubert to flirt with, bringing that much needed sex appeal to the forefront of the film. OSS 117 isn’t that much different from James Bond. Both men like their pick of multiple women and each one eventually succumbs to the advances of one special lady before the closing moments of the film. The formula of se dechaine is unmistakably Bond, but damn does it do it so well.
 
There is a slight diversion from the Bond-centric moments during the final portion of the film though. These incidences occur with the group behind the development of the sub detector and their overall involvement in the film. They are hardly present throughout the movie, sparing only passing glimpses into their plans and aspirations for doing what they’re doing. This is slammed even closer to home when we witness the demise of this organization by a suicidal decision to blow up their own laboratory rather then be caught. Hell, when this happens La Bath isn’t even in the same location, he’s off fighting a henchman on a speeding boat. It kind of brings an anticlimactic feel to the film, but luckily the film doesn’t fixate on the diabolical minds behind the sub detector that much in the first place, so in the end it isn’t much of a let down. Aside from that little oddity, se dechaine is a rather accomplished Bond clone that set the right example when it came to establishing the Eurospy genre.

OSS 117: se dechaine is an outstanding beginning for the series and it establishes the agent of Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath as a new breed of secret agent. Kerwin Mathews does such a great job as OSS 117 and his performance is fully engaging and highly entertaining. The rest of the cast does an equally astounding job, bringing the world of OSS 117 to life while adapting to the changing tone of espionage films to coexist with the dominant Bond movies of the time.
 
With its black and white photography, se dechaine is a stunner, bringing about a classier depiction of the Eurospy, but still utilizing the intriguing subject matter and whimsical tone that the genre is known for. This is one fun adventure filled mission and luckily this is only the beginning for what would eventually be a rather accomplished Eurospy series. OSS 117: se dechaine is……

Don't fart underwater. The bubbles give you away everytime.

La Bath...... Hubert Bonisseur de La... shit just call me OSS 117!

OSS 117 flies Air Fance. How fancy.

So are you up for a little hanky panky?

Where the shit am I?

You can't have any pudding if you don't finish your meat!

Well hello there sexy.

Kramer you diabolical fiend!

Well hello there ladies!

OSS 117 doing some extreme bird watching. What a card.

I see you over there you little pervert!

Hello police... I'd like to report an incident of extreme handsomeness.

You know you look like a complete moron.

Man do I hate scuba diving!

Playing cops and robbers is FUN.

Now everyone repeat after me. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.!

When you get to Hell, tell them Hubert Bonisseur de La....
Shit just tell them OSS 117 sent ya.

Thanks everyone. Hope you enjoyed the movie. See you in the sequel.