‘Just like paradise, only better looking.’
Dinosaur Island is a 1994 American comedic sci-fi film directed by Fred Olen Ray and Jim Wynorski. Produced by Roger Corman in the wake of the enormous success of Jurassic Park, it combines prehistoric monsters, pulp adventure, comedy, and “lost world” fantasy elements from a screenplay by Bob Sheridan and Christopher Wooden. The film was made on a modest budget of about $190,000 and became a cult favourite among fans of campy B-movies.
Rather than attempting to compete with blockbuster visual effects, the filmmakers leaned into camp humour and exploitation-film traditions such as attractive ladies in bikinis. Some dinosaur props were reportedly reused from the earlier film Carnosaur. Shooting lasted only about ten days in California locations including Bronson Canyon, David Carradine’s Ranch, Malibu and Vasquez Rocks.
Plot:
The story follows an Army captain and three deserters whose aircraft crashes near an uncharted island. Stranded there, they discover a hidden world populated by dinosaurs and an all-female tribe of cave women. The tribe regularly sacrifices virgins to appease a fearsome dinosaur known as “The Great One.”
Because of an ancient prophecy, the newcomers are mistaken for divine figures and are expected to defeat the monster. As they adapt to life on the island, romance develops between the soldiers and the cave women, while the threat of The Great One looms over everyone…
Reception and legacy:
Critics generally regarded Dinosaur Island as a cheesy, low-budget B-movie, but it developed a cult following among fans of camp cinema. Viewers often remember it more for its humorous tone, scantily clad cave-woman characters, and nostalgic 1950s-style adventure atmosphere than for its dinosaur effects. According to co-director Jim Wynorski, the film performed surprisingly well on cable television despite mixed reactions from producer Roger Corman.
Cast and characters:
Ross Hagen … Capt. Jason Briggs
Richard Gabai … John Skeemer
Antonia Dorian … April
Griffin Drew … May (as Griffen Drew)
Michelle Bauer … June
Peter Spellos … Turbo
Tom Shell … Wayne
Steve Barkett … Sgt. Healey
Toni Naples … Queen Morganna
Bob Sheridan … Buzz
Nikki Fritz … High Priestess
Becky LeBeau … Sacrifice
Robin Chaney … Tara
Wendy Griffen … Warrior Girl
Deborah Dutch … Cave Girl (as Debra Dare)
Wendy Spahr … Cave Girl
Carrie Curtis … Cave Girl
Jennifer Klein … Cave Girl
Darlene Sellers … Cave Girl
Diana Brown … Cave Girl
Pam Green … Cave Girl
Lisa Biossat … Cave Girl
Sheri Hicks … Cave Girl
Julie Baltay … Cave Girl
Trailer:
Free to watch online on YouTube [4K]:
Related:
CARNOSAUR Reviews of Roger Corman’s Jurassic Park mockbuster
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