The Lost World (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Stuart Orme

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (novel)
Adrian Hodges (writer)

Release Date:

6 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

An expedition leaves for the Amazon to prove the existance of dinosaurs.

Plot Keywords:

Dinosaur | Royal Society | Scientist | Skull Crushing | Part Computer Animation

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Bob Hoskins	...	Prof. George Challenger
James Fox	...	Prof. Leo Summerlee
Tom Ward	...	Lord John Phillip Roxton
Matthew Rhys	...	Edward Malone
Elaine Cassidy	...	Agnes Cluny
Peter Falk	...	Reverend Theo Kerr
Nathaniel Lees	...	Indian Chief
Tamati Rice	...	Achille (as Tamati Te Nohotu)
Nicole Whippy	...	Maree
Inia Maxwell	...	Indian Leader
Tessa Peake-Jones	...	Mrs. Hilda Summerlee
Tim Healy	...	McArdle
Joanna Page	...	Gladys
Tom Goodman-Hill	...	Arthur Hare
Robert Hardy	...	Prof. Illingworth

Also Known As:

Die vergessene Welt (Germany)

Runtime:

150 min | Argentina:152 min | Finland:147 min (2 parts) | UK:145 min (DVD)

Country:

UK | USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Germany:12 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Flock Hill, Canterbury, New Zealand

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

The Dinosaur effects were created by the same team that had just completed the now-legendary "Walking With Dinosaurs" (1999) TV series.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the explorers first see their goal, the Brazilian Plateau, there is a clearly visible aircraft trail in the clouds.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#32.2)" (2004)

Dinosaur Delight

At a London lecture, an eccentric professor (Bob Hoskins) encounters skepticism when he claims to have discovered a land of living prehistoric creatures. To prove his point, he heads an expedition to the Amazon region of South America. Here, the group of explorers finds ape-men, dinosaurs, prehistoric birds, and other exotic creatures.

The source novel by Arthur Conan Doyle led to the original 1925 silent film. Several remakes followed. This 2001 remake is worth watching, especially for the excellent visual and special effects, and for the cinematography. The CGI effects make the dinosaurs and birds look genuine. And the overall story is reasonably entertaining, though it does drag on for a tad too long.

The filmmakers are attentive to detail in both production design and costumes. The acting is acceptable. Dialogue is variable; uninspired at times; charming at other times. And I liked the pointed sarcasm directed at the snobbery of the academic mindset. The film's ending is unexpected and quite satisfying.

My main complaint is the film's tendency to expand into epic-dom. The plot goes on and on and on, and the cast eventually swells to what seems like thousands. I could have done without the ape-men, who seem slightly hokey, and who distract from the dinosaurs and birds.

Overall, "The Lost World" (2001) is well worth a look, especially for kids, but also for adults who enjoy exploration and high adventure.