Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The People That Time Forgot Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 23, 2016

1975’s “The Land That Time Forgot” proved to be a hit with audiences, playing into the decade’s fascination with the work of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, who provided inspiration for the big screen adventure with his 1924 novel. A sequel arrived two years later, also adapting Burroughs’s work, with returning director Kevin Connor continuing his study of the forgotten land Caprona, reuniting with the sub-continent’s population of dinosaurs and assorted native cultures. “The People That Time Forgot” sticks closely to what “Land” began, laboring to bring a special effects-intensive extravaganza to the masses, resulting in an offering of classic moviemaking craftsmanship during a year where “Star Wars” emerged to change the industry forever. “The People That Time Forgot” isn’t successful as a roller coaster ride, but it retains thespian charm and touchable textures on its creatures, remaining a mild distraction with occasional surges in excitement, providing a natural extension of strange encounters with a little less budget to work with.

Retrieving a manuscript written by Bowen Tyler (Doug McClure), which detailed life on Caprona, a hidden prehistoric land, Ben McBride (Patrick Wayne) sets out to find his missing friend. Accepting money from newspapers to help fund the mission, Ben is paired with photojournalist Charly (Sarah Douglas), whose secure ways challenge his masculinity, finding an exciting equal as they join paleontologist Norfolk (Thorley Walters) and mechanic Hogan (Shane Rimmer), traveling to Caprona over a dense mountain rage, ultimately crashing into the mystery world. Surrounded by a threatening landscape populated with dinosaurs, the team comes across Ajor (Dana Gillespie), a native woman who’s being hunted by the Nargas, the ruling army of Caprona. Realizing that the strangers are friendly, Ajor leads Ben to Tyler, who’s locked away inside a remote Nargas castle. Facing a time deadline with the ship that brought them to the edge of Caprona, and realizing that the Nargas are happy to sacrifice the visitors to their volcanic god, Ben masterminds a rescue mission, hoping to retrieve Tyler and return to civilization with a story to share with the world.

While some time has passed between Tyler’s absence and Ben’s mission, “The People That Time Forgot” picks up the adventure quickly. Ben is driven to find his friend, but he’s really more concerned with sharing clunky exposition in the film’s first act, cementing introductions with his chatty travelers, identifying motivations for joining the trip, with Charly a particular nut to crack. Arriving with Princess Leia buns and a thirst to document everything on the journey, Charly also pushes Ben’s buttons, refusing to bow to his chauvinist ways, adding a dose of gender gamesmanship to the mix, giving the leads something to do when not casually encountering dinosaurs. Light comedy is also established with Walters and Rimmer, who bring some silly business to an otherwise straightforward fantasy production, making sure Caprona pursuits are broken up with alternate adventures featuring supporting characters.

The real draw of “The People That Time Forgot” isn’t the humans, it’s the dinosaurs, who are presented in all their front projection-style glory, watching the cast interact with limited animatronics before they do battle with previously filmed rampages featuring stegosauruses and pterodactyls. Visuals aren’t pristine, but they offer retro entertainment, recalling a time when thought and planning when into fantasy features. Sometimes all a movie needs is a performer in a rubber suit scrambling around the ground, forcing the human participants to crank up horrified reactions and physical might. “The People That Time Forgot” may not be the most polished effort around, but there’s fun to be had with its crazy dino encounters.

A more effective sight is Gillespie, who portrays the native woman Ajor as a mildly feral being with big hair and a loose grip on English, while wearing a cavewoman outfit best described as “perfect.” Gillespie is the focal point of the movie for bored parents, and she’s amusing in the role, with Connor clearly aware that her pronounced cleavage is perhaps a more powerful special effect than any stop-motion animated dino. In terms of cheap thrills, Gillespie is a highlight.

The People That Time Forgot Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The People That Time Forgot" brings a varied fantasyland to HD, finding the viewing experience largely free of distractions, though a minor amount of flickering and shaking appears during a few scenes. Detail works through inherent softness to pull out pleasing textures on dinosaurs and native costuming, also helping with facial responses and Gillespie's adventurous wardrobe. Colors are secure and true, offering pleasing primaries and more extravagant hues for evil empire outfits and skin color, making oranges and greens stand out. Landscapes remain natural. Grain is filmic, though it battles some baked-in filtering. Delineation is strong, preserving frame information.

The People That Time Forgot Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix deals with mild level fluctuations at times, but remains mostly agreeable, leading with strong dialogue exchanges that range from polite banter to native grunting. Atmospherics are consistent, providing some depth to the adventure as jungle life and cave expanse are explored. Music remains healthy and pronounced, emphasizing scenes without smothering them.

The People That Time Forgot Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Kevin Connor and filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith.

• Interview (20:30, HD) with Sarah Douglas is a jovial chat with the actress, who seems genuinely proud of "The People That Time Forgot," embracing the picture's kid-friendly appeal, yet well aware of the ample assets co-star Dana Gillespie brought to the feature. Douglas shares interesting production memories, discussing actors and locations challenges. Perhaps most intriguing are recollections of the audition period for "Superman," which was scheduled during her time on "People," keeping Douglas appropriately irritated for her meeting with Richard Donner, ultimately winning her the role of Ursa.

• Interview (24:11, HD) with Dana Gillespie spends quite a bit of time on her revealing wardrobe, which the actress was happy to wear, building a career through the power of cleavage. Gillespie explores time with co-stars (showing particular affection for Douglas and Doug McClure), discusses the lousy ending of "People," and points out the common mispronunciation of her name. Talk of Gillespie's singing career is offered, highlighting album releases and her collaborations with David Bowie.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:23, HD) is included.

The People That Time Forgot Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The People That Time Forgot" doesn't develop into an action spectacle, but it surges during select moments, offering a mid-movie visit to the Nargas lair, which is populated with bulky, armored models pulled from a Frank Frazetta painting, identifying a few of the creative achievements the production pulls off. Costuming and set design goes as far as the budget allows, but the screenwriting ultimately kneecaps the feature, climaxing too soon as Ben continues with his rescue mission, inching closer to Charly as he tries to come up with an escape plan before the group is turned into permanent residents of the unstable land. The story peters out at the hour mark, forcing Connor to fill time with chases and half-speed battles with the Nargas, keeping the film repetitive long before the end credits arrive. Flaws are numerous, but there's something spirited about "The People That Time Forgot" that saves it from disaster, offering just enough exploration and unexpected encounters to patch the considerable creative holes that develop along the way.