The Land That Time Forgot (1975)

45% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(1,886 ratings)

In this low budget fantasy adventure from Britain, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1918 science fiction novel, a German submarine holding American prisoners of war during World War I, veers off course. Lost at sea, the submarine empties its fuel supply and runs aground on an uncharted island in the… More In this low budget fantasy adventure from Britain, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1918 science fiction novel, a German submarine holding American prisoners of war during World War I, veers off course. Lost at sea, the submarine empties its fuel supply and runs aground on an uncharted island in the Antarctic. The survivors find that the island contains an ancient oil refinery that can be used to fuel the submarine. The only problem is that the group of Germans and Americans have to battle gigantic dinosaurs and primitive cavemen as they make their way through the island. The Land That Time Forgot was enough of a success to spawn a 1976 sequel called The People That Time Forgot. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Kevin Connor
Genres: Action & Adventure, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Aug 13, 1975 Wide
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
Instant second childhood is guaranteed in less than 90 minutes.
, New York Times
Just as the much grander Jaws became less scary the moment its mechanical shark appeared, the early virtues of Land collapse once the island is reached and the traffic jam in artificial monsters develops.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The special effects are unrealistic, as are the dialog and performances. However, despite everything, the picture still makes for great fun.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
It starts off promisingly with some stylised and ridiculous heroics involving a German sub, but once the island has been occupied and a few excellent monsters vanquished, the plot settles down to some very ordinary machinations.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Remains an entertaining old-fashioned adventure tale but loses any edge it might have started out with.
, Film4
The special effects are laughable, but the script, co-written by acclaimed science fiction writer Moorcock, is meatier than one might expect...

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

To children this will no doubt be an exciting film full of cool monsters and tense moments. As an adult I found it to have blatantly racist and Imperialistic undetones and was a bit bothered by the fact that they spent much of the movie thoughtlessly slaughtering all of the… More
To children this will no doubt be an exciting film full of cool monsters and tense moments. As an adult I found it to have blatantly racist and Imperialistic undetones and was a bit bothered by the fact that they spent much of the movie thoughtlessly slaughtering all of the inhabitants (both beast & human) of "The Forgotten Land" with little regard. Normally it's easy for me to over look these sorts of things in older films, but this wasn' THAT old! And they just kept KILLING everything! : P If you can get past that, it was a (mostly) enjoyable sci-fi journey and it was fun seeing Colin Farrell as a young lad in a very minor role. One can't help but see similarities to the original "Land Of The Lost" as well, they even have their own "Chaka"! I must give them credit for a surprisingly bleak ending, which was rather unexpected.
Dean !

This is a great family classic! A little dated now in terms of special effects etc but probably cutting edge at the time. A great fun action film with all sorts of creatures in it. If you're a fan of the old Sinbad or Clash of the Titans type films you'll love this. I… More
This is a great family classic! A little dated now in terms of special effects etc but probably cutting edge at the time. A great fun action film with all sorts of creatures in it. If you're a fan of the old Sinbad or Clash of the Titans type films you'll love this. I can't be the only one in my friends list who has seen this!?! lol
Ed Fucking H

Pretty good adventure B-Movie, that lags a bit in the middle but makes up for it with an unexpected but much appreciated pessimistic ending. The set up was good. Not believable but for the purposes of the movie, I'll let it pass. I did think in the storytelling department the… More
Pretty good adventure B-Movie, that lags a bit in the middle but makes up for it with an unexpected but much appreciated pessimistic ending. The set up was good. Not believable but for the purposes of the movie, I'll let it pass. I did think in the storytelling department the film began to lag in the middle, which really shouldn't have been the case, as it is only then that they reach 'The Land that Time Forgot.' At the same time we get great cheapie special effects and plastic dinosaurs and such, so I was still entertained through this portion, even if I think the set up at the begining and the downer ending were the best things going for this movie. I fucking hate Doug McClure more in everything I seem him in and this time around was no exception. Most pompous, arrogant and douchey 'hero' ever captured on film I think. One star lost for his prescence. Half a start given back for the ending though. Leading up to the ending I had my finger crossed that something terrible would befall McClure. While I would have prefered if the film entered Cannibal Holocaust territory, I was still satisfied when the end credits began to role. Either way good times for sure. Recommended.
Barry L

OMG What a fantastic film. I saw this as a kid and it only fuelled my love of films...still a classic...watch the plastic dinosaurs...brilliant.