I continued my project of reviewing movies from 100 years ago.
I started in 2021 with “The Kid” and every year since have gone with horror genre.
“The Lost World” is a 1925 monster flick that demonstrates mankind’s fascination with dinosaurs didn’t begin with Ian Malcolm, John Hammond, or Alan Grant.
“The Lost World” was directed by Harry O. Hoyt. The screenplay was crafted by Marion Fairfax, based on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle novel of the same name.
It features a cast of silent-era talent, all of which were born in the 19th century and none of which anyone other than the most devout of cinephile’s would recognize.
It’s silent. Many scenes have been lost to time (with some restored at various points). It’s a staggering 102 minutes. But is it worth watching?
Welcome to The Lost World
An expedition ventures to the mysterious jungles of South America where dinosaurs are rumored to be present. Spoiler alert! They are, and from the looks of it their hunger is insatiable.
I loved the opening shot of London. It looks so haunting knowing the city and Big Ben were standing so long ago. It’s a place with people that all had lives, and had no idea The Great Depression, WWII, or movies with sound were in store for them.
Bessie Love, Lewis Stone, Lloyd Hughes, Wallace Beery, Arthur Hoyt, Alma Bennett star. They look weird – like quirky actors from another era, but some on. We ain’t watching it for the people. We’re watching it for the dinosaurs.
Bingo, Dino DNA
“The Lost World” marks the feature film debut of special effects and stop-motion animation pioneer Willis H. O’Brien, who would go on to prominence with “King Kong” eight years later. I love the animation of the dinosaurs. Yes, it’s silly. No, it’s not scary at all.
One dinosaur brutally kills another, taking time to rip his head off and chew it with a bloody maw. Then he gets killed by another dinosaur (an herbivore for some reason) then that one gets killed by another etcetera.
I literally LOL’d at some of the fight scenes. My favorite moment was when the brontosaurus squares off against the T-Rex. He has the upper hand until Rexie knocks him off a cliff like Hans Gruber. Unintentionally hysterical.
“The Lost World” won’t scare you but it is fun. The fascination with dinosaurs has been going on for hundreds of years and will continue. It is the genesis for monster movies and of course the billion-dollar Jurassic Park franchise. Its always fun to return to the roots.
