One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 8, 2017

Taking a chance on the creation of the universe, Hammer Films goes way back in time for 1966’s “One Million Years B.C.” It’s no documentary, showing little regard for natural science and history, instead plowing ahead as a fantasy where more attention is paid to the precision of push-up bras than the true stats of prehistoric creatures. It’s a remake of a 1940 effort, but director Don Chaffey doesn’t seem inhibited by the recycling job ahead of him, bringing in special effects deity Ray Harryhausen to deliver some bang for the buck, imagining and animating all type of monstrous foes for the characters to battle. And when all else fails, there’s Raquel Welch, who, in her own way, is an even more dynamic special effect, taking top billing as the pivotal tribal woman running around the cooling Earth clad in little more than a loincloth. There are half-naked actors, rampaging dinosaurs, volcanic disasters, and very little dialogue. What’s not to love here?

Ages ago, man and dinosaur lived together in complete chaos. Tumak (John Richardson) is a member of the Rock Tribe, a group of savages who live to fight and consume meat by the fistful. Challenging authority, Tumak is left for dead by the tribe’s leader, forced to embark on a journey into the wilds of the world, which are populated with gigantic predators hungry to snack on wandering humans. Near-death, Tumak comes across the Shell Tribe, a more enlightened gang unaccustomed to meaningless brutality, with Loana (Raquel Welch) taking a shine to the new discovery. Complicating the hierarchy of the Shell Tribe, Tumak reveals his bravery, partnering with Loana as the pair is cast out, ordered to forge their own path. As Tumak and Loana face tests of survival, the Rock Tribe eventually returns to view, forcing the hunter to confront his old life, including the wrath of ex-lover Nupondi (Martine Beswick).

Narration opens “One Million Years B.C.” It has too, really, as the film doesn’t contain traditional dialogue, preferring to let the savage characters express themselves through grunting, preserving the period appeal of the feature. A light amount of exposition is required to secure audience interest, but even the narrator seems aware of the thin concept, quickly signing off as a tale of two tribes is established. In the opening of the movie, the Rock Tribe is hunting down a warthog for a feast, and the small-ish creature is the last real beast of the tale. While the screenplay details Tumak’s journey into certain doom, “One Million Years B.C.” is much more interested in his tests of strength, pitting the caveman against a slew of overgrown foe, including a colossal turtle, an iguana, and various dinosaurs. While a few are simply real pets put to work in front of a blue screen, the majority of the Earth’s rampaging inhabitants are Harryhausen creations, keeping the actors busy as they react to terrific stop-motion animation, which is impressively blended into live-action photography.

Harryhausen’s imagination and obsession with movement are the real reasons why one remains with “One Million Years B.C.” Performances are acceptable, with the ensemble putting in a laudable effort with tribal concerns and anxieties, bringing life to cartoon depictions of early man (the ladies carry little purses and are perfectly coiffed). The story itself enjoys its high and lows, keeping characters on the move as fresh corners of the area are discovered. Technical credits are consistent, including a driving score by Mario Nascimbene, large-scale cinematography by Wilke Cooper, and lively editing by Tom Simpson. But, come on, Harryhausen’s work is gorgeous, conjuring a volatile world of angry beasts and cowering cavemen, overseeing an impressive amount of conflicts to keep the picture eventful. Perhaps “One Million Years B.C.” isn’t the prime Harryhausen experience, but it’s wonderfully entertaining to watch the production figure out ways to combine actors with animation, including an ending that has Loana captured and swung around by a Pteranodon.

“One Million Years B.C.” is presented in two versions: the International Cut (100:27) and the U.S. Cut (91:49).

One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as a "Brand New 4K Restoration," "One Million Years B.C." arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation that should please most fans of the feature, bringing the special effects-laden extravaganza to HD with welcome sharpness. Details are critical here, and they're preserved to satisfaction, leading with sweaty, grimy close-ups of the tribal warriors, while Welch is equally crisp, exploring the textures of her make-up and outfit, finding all costuming appealing, showing off intricately positioned fabrics and leather. Creature attacks are open for pauseable inspection. Expanse is maintained, finding distances dimensional. Colors are secure, capturing blue eyes and volcanic locations, while ample amounts of skintones are natural. Delineation is ideal, and grain is filmic. Source is in good condition, without overt points of damage.

One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't about precision, but its blunt force presence tends to work for the feature. Limited dialogue exchanges aren't a priority, but grunts are discernible, along with muttered communication. Scoring holds more authority during the listening event, and while instrumentation isn't sharp, it remains communicative, supporting the action with interesting percussive movements. Sound effects retain agreeable rumble, hitting volume surges with creature attacks, and volcanic activity delivers some needed heft to the adventure, amplifying dangers coming for the characters.

One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

International Cut

• Commentary features film historian Tim Lucas.

• Animated Montage of Posters and Images (3:05) collects promotional materials and publicity shots, including the infamous "Raquel Welch Crucifixion" picture meant to promote the "One Million Years B.C." release, only what the image was meant to indicate isn't shared.

• And an International Trailer (3:00, SD) is included.

U.S. Cut

• "In the Valley of Dinosaurs" (7:45, SD) is a 2002 conversation with star Raquel Welch, who is fairly candid about her time on "One Million Years B.C." Openly embarrassed about her part in the movie, Welch describes her contractual obligation to star in the picture, putting her hope into a free trip to London, only to be stuck in the Canary Islands over the winter. Welch is aware of the fame the feature gifted her, with a select image from the shoot graduating her to worldwide sex symbol status. Welch maintains her humor about it all, but it's clear the experience wasn't a career highlight.

• Interview (12:29, SD) with special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen (also from 2002) is a more technical conversation, with the visual master recalling his influences from a lifetime of dinosaur interest. Most interesting here are the creature models used for stop-motion animation work, which Harryhausen displays for the camera, showing how they operate.

• Interview (16:36, HD) with Martine Beswick is a friendly chat with the actress, who happily recalls her casting process and shooting memories from "One Million Years B.C." Beswick also details moments of profound discomfort during the Canary Island shoot, and her experiences with co-stars, including strange magic with John Richardson.

• And a U.S. Theatrical Trailer (3:08, SD) is included.

One Million Years B.C. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If screeching dinosaurs and a chomping turtle doesn't thrill you, perhaps Welch will do the trick. In the role that transformed her from an aspiring actress into a global sex symbol, Welch is a focal point Chaffey returns to time and again, keeping Loana a major part of the story as Tumak figures out his destiny. She's alert in the role, remaining in step with action requirements (including a cave brawl with Beswick), but Welch is primarily utilized for exploitation purposes, hoping to reach all the parents who are likely watching the movie at the request of their children. "One Million Years B.C." isn't very deep and its doesn't have to be, keeping to the essentials in conflict, redemption, sacrifice, and jiggle, making for impressive escapism in a land gone mad.