From my favorite movies..

A different way of telling a story

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

James Franciscus plays Tuck, an amiable hustler who comes back into the life of T.J. (lovely Gila Golan). T.J. is one of the participants in a Wild West show that is not doing so well at the moment. However, one of their people, Carlos (Gustavo Rojo) has ventured into a Mexican location known as the "Forbidden Valley" and come back with a prize: an adorable "Eohippus", or miniature prehistoric horse. Circumstances lead Tuck and others to head into the valley, where they encounter other ancient animals, such as a Styracosaurus and a very aggressive Allosaurus.In the well loved tradition of "King Kong", T.J. and her friends, including Champ (Richard Carlson), get the bright idea to introduce the Allosaurus - who gets christened Gwangi - to their show. Havoc predictably ensues.There may be viewers who will grow impatient with the pacing at first. "The Valley of Gwangi" runs longer than previous Ray Harryhausen - Charles H. Schneer productions at 96 minutes, and it's not until the movies' second half that we get to see any dinosaurs. But the little Eohippus is sure to charm people, not just children, and the story is very engaging.It helps that the actors are so sincere. The handsome Franciscus is good in the starring role, with fine support from Ms. Golan and Mr. Carlson. Young Curtis Arden is appealing in the role of Lope the child, who had to fend for himself from an early age and who is clearly eager to make a buck. Freda Jackson is amusing in the somewhat annoying, clichéd role of the wise old doomsayer who rants about the consequences of individuals going into the valley and bringing back "evil" specimens.As expected, Harryhausen's special effects are excellent. They're especially impressive in the movies' major set piece, when Tuck, Champ and others work overtime to try to lasso Gwangi. And once the action kicks into gear in this thing, a real fever pitch is reached and then maintained until the absolute end, with an exciting rampage.Mostly lighthearted entertainment, but G ratings weren't always what they are now: a few people do fall victim to the jaws and teeth of Gwangi.Very well directed by Jim O'Connolly ("Crooks and Coronets", "Tower of Evil").Seven out of 10.

Boy, some of the plot holes are noticeable. But do we care if a film is enjoyable in such a goofy way? With great stop-motion from Ray Harryhausen, good performances from it's cast and the infamous, terrifying Gwangi practically at the helm, this is an ingredient for solid campy fun.The plot wasn't even original by the time this film was released, however it largely succeeds here because of the above mentioned factors. If you are a fan of Westerns, practical effects or creature films, it has all three categories. I am certain casual viewers will enjoy it as well! 10/10!

Certainly and probably not Ray Harryhausen's greatest film, but for me one of his most enjoyable. Why? It probably was the first of his films that I saw and have the earliest recollections. From the wondrous eohippus parading around a miniature pen to the forbidden valley and the secret cave entrance to the dottering professor lost in thought amidst the prospect of becoming a dinosaur lunch to the huge dinosaur being destroyed in a massive church. I remember all of this the first time I saw The Valley of the Gwangi. It had that kind of effect on me. I have seen it several times since and have always enjoyed each subsequent viewing. The film is, as you undoubtedly know, about a hidden lost, forbidden valley somewhere in Mexico where a group of gringo side-show types pierce its sacredness in search of a tiny prehistoric horse. Once in the valley they decide to capture a giant dinosaur(responsible for having one death on its conscience), subduing it, and, what else, bringing it back to the city for entertainment, gawking, and death to many poor people that had nothing to do with the crazy venture in the first place. More than anything else, The Valley of the Gwangi is fun. It is one of the most fun Harryhausen films. Lots of absurdist action as cowboys battle prehistoric critters. Harryhausen's magic in undeniable and in fine form here. Every creature is exquisitely brought to life. The cast is good with James Franciscus playing the anti-hero type lead and lovely, beautiful Gila Golan as the owner of the sideshow. She may not be much of an actress(and she is not) but she is, to repeat a phrase, "mighty fine." Richard Carlson, about a decade removed from traveling down the Amazon to the Black Lagoon is here too. My favorite actor is Laurence Naismith, who also appeared in Harryhausen's Jason and the Argonauts. He is droll and very well-cast as the beleaguered professor in search of scientific fame. All in all, The Valley of the Gwangi is top-notch and FUN entertainment: good, solid action, outstanding stop-motion special effects, a great musical score by Jerome Moross, solid acting, and, even though I have a general indifference to it, the obligatory poor Mexican child that helps the Gringos get into trouble. Most of all it has the work of one Ray Harryhausen. Does it need any other reason really?

Awaited this with anticipation after learning from the weekly TV guide that it was going to be on weekend showtime, and certainly wasn't disappointed, in fact I liked it quite a lot. Sure, the plot isn't really original, being a reptilian version of King Kong, but hey, if you're a Harryhausen enthusiast, you know what to expect in the way of his work. Imho, the Allosaur (or was it Tyranossaur?) was at par with any CGI dinos in today's movies, the Styracosaur was OK, Pterosaur was looking more like an over-sized crested bat, and Eohippus was oh so cute...While not the most spectacular dinosaur movie I've ever seen (nothing and NOTHING will ever come close to Jurassic Park), the combination of two favorite genres, Western and fantasy, make this for a unique and certainly different viewing experience.