when dinosaurs ruled the earth

While not the first direct follow up to One Million Years B.C. - that would be the Prehistoric Women, which was in the works before the Raquel Welch classic was even finished shooting - Hammer Films' When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970) is the studio's only other attempt to incorporate stop motion special effects in one of its "Lost World" adventures, this time shepherded by Jim Danforth instead of Ray Harryhausen, who was otherwise engaged. The result is certainly impressive on a technical level (Danforth's work was nominated for an Oscar) but fairly insipid when it comes to everything else.

Former Playmate of the Year Victoria Vetri takes over as the resident prehistoric hottie, Sanna, who escapes ritual sacrifice by her native tribe and washes ashore into the arms of Tara (Robin Hawdon), part of a much more progressive clan of hunter-gatherers. But Sanna's sanctuary is cut short thanks to a jealous cavegirl and the dogged pursuit of her sun-god worshipping homies. Now on the run, with the smitten Tara intermittently crossing her path, Sanna becomes friendly with some of the local oversized lizards...the only advantage that might give her a fighting chance at survival.

Directed by Val Guest in the Canary Islands, but leaning heavily on studio sets, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth feels smaller than One Million Years B.C. in almost every way, especially when it comes to the costumes worn by Vetri and the female cast. Clothed in leather half-bras that would make a Victoria's Secret model blush, the anticipation of a "nip-slip" is prevalent throughout. But, thanks to Hammer's new pro-boobs policy, Vetri disrobes before too long anyway in this international cut, which had been previously released as PG on an out-of-print DVD.

The story, credited to renowned sci-fi author J.G. Ballard, kicks off with an interesting series of solar events which (spoiler alert) result in the creation of Earth's Moon. But Guest fills in the rest of the blanks with more tiresome prehistoric politics and, unfortunately, more made-up dialogue (don't be surprised if you start using the word "Akita" in everyday conversation). The trials and tribulations of Sanna, clothed or unclothed, just aren't fresh enough to hold one's interest for long.

Thankfully, Danforth's effects inspire just the opposite reaction. Every bit as magical as Harryhausen's creations, Danforth goes even further, using some moody lighting effects (the opening Elasmosaurs scene takes place under moonlight and a Chasmosaurus attack is staged during a picturesque sunset) to make his models look even more photorealistic. There might not be as many showstopping scenes as One Million Years B.C., but what's here is easily worth the price of admission.

Warner Archives' new Blu-ray replaces the aforementioned DVD double-feature which paired the movie up with the terminally slow-paced Moon Zero Two. And what an upgrade it is! While not billed as a full-on restoration, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth offers up details as sharp as a pin and a superb color palette. Extras, however, are limited to the original theatrical trailer.