Movies - Dinosaurus!

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	Movies - Dinosaurus!

Dinosaurus! is a 1960 film directed by Irvin Shortess Yeaworth Jr (1926-2004), the director of The Blob and produced by Jack H. Harris. It is about some American men building a harbour on a Caribbean Island when they accidentally uncover two dinosaurs that have been frozen in suspended animation for millions of years. They are a Brontosaurus (correctly Apatosaurus) and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. One night the beasts are woken by an island storm when they are struck by lightning, coming alive in the style of Frankenstein's Creature. The islanders have no idea that the dinosaurs have actually been alive and because of the storm are now roaming the island. Also woken is a caveman (played by Gregg Martell) who befriends an island boy and, along with the Brontosaurus get into a series of wacky misadventures, which unfortunately lead to the death of the Brontosaurus and the caveman. Meanwhile the islanders have found refuge from the Tyrant Lizard King by hiding in the old fortress, which is protected by a ring of burning fuel. To ensure the Tyrannosaurus does not get in, the hero Bart (played by Ward Ramsey) drives out to face the beast in a mechanical digger. The two duel on the edge of an island cliff and, after a tense fight, the Tyrannosaurus is knocked into the sea, ending the island terror. The film ends with a picture of the apparently dead Tyrannosaurus on the sea bed, with 'THE END' followed by '?' superimposed. This suggests the creation of a sequel, although one has never been made and with the addition of Irvin Yeaworth's death in 2004, a sequel still seems highly unlikely.

The movie featured a cast of unknowns who did little work other than Dinosaurus! and the film is widely regarded as poor in terms of acting. Dinosaurus! did however have a beautiful music score by Ronald Stein and the models were made by the famous Wah Chang (1917-2003). Many considered the animation poor alongside such animators as Ray Harryhausen (1920-Present). It also featured a stereotypical Mexican villain, something typical at that time.

The film does however have positive qualities. It is a nice mix of heroism, comedy and science fiction and is still regarded by some, 45 years after its original release, an entertaining film.

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