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What do you guys think of The Lost World (1925)?

posted 11 years ago by Just_Alex
11 replies | jump to latest

The Lost World is a 1925 movie. Like King Kong, it's an Adventure / Action / Fantasy film. The story is: a Professor claims that living dinosaurs exist in the Amazon. No one believes him, so he gathers a small crew and the group goes there, finding many pre-historic creatures.

I won't say much more for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the film, except that I think that if you like King Kong, you'll enjoy this one a lot.

It's public domain, there's a version of this movie on Youtube, please watch it when you have the time, and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIgzh6OPYQQ

The main reason I think King Kong fans will enjoy this movie a lot, it's the similarity of both films, a similar case to Nosferatu (1922) and the Dracula story. I'm a big fan of The Lost World (King Kong too, by the way), and I think more people should know about the 1925 movie and its huge influence on King Kong.

Thoughts on The Lost World?

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[–] Big G-2 11 years ago

Until KING KONG came along, THE LOST WORLD was Willis O'Brien's stop-motion masterpiece. It set the precedent for many other movies to follow - ie, a giant creature (a brontosaurus in this case) running amok in a large city.

Yes, it is in public doman, but the version from Image Entertainment is the most complete (not to mention, the best looking copy). I just hope that when this is eventually released on blu-ray, it won't be a slice-up copy of a pd. I am hoping that maybe the Cohen Film Collection (which did a hell of a job with the 1924 THE THIEF OF BAGDAD), or Flicker Alley (which is going to release the 1923 THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME - a film also on pd) will be handling it.

It is interesting to note that eventhough THE LOST WORLD and KING KONG share many similarities (including having the same man doing the stop-motion), Merian C. Cooper had always stated that he never saw TLW and really based his Kong story on his friend, Douglas Burden and his expedition to Komodo Island to bring back alive a mysterious creature, a dinosaur or a dragon. Burden managed to capture two Komodo Dragons, but both eventually died at the NY Zoo.

Heck, I think Burden's expedition would make for a great movie itself. Here is his story:

http://www.unmuseum.org/burden.htm

[–] Just_Alex 11 years ago

Great comments, Big G.

I'm also really looking forward for a future Blu-ray release of The Lost World. 2013 was a good year for big silent classics on Blu-ray (Nosferatu, Intolerance, City Lights, The Thief of Bagdad), hopefully, 2014 will bring some more in addition to The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

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[–] Skye_Reynolds 11 years ago

The Lost World was really fun. It's a very interesting and entertaining precursor to King Kong. Many of the same elements are there; including the giant animal being captured and brought back to the city.

The dinosaur element of the film is indirectly tied to The Lost World. Willis O'Brien wanted to do a talking remake, but that fell through. Afterward, he turned to an original film which borrowed elements from The Lost World and The Land That Time Forgot. When that was deemed too expensive, the models were used for Kong. Most of the information is covered on the King Kong DVD set.

Whatever the case though, The Lost World is definitely a spiritual predecessor of Kong.

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"In literature, it's called plagiarism. In the movies, it's homage" ~ Roger Ebert

[–] Skye_Reynolds 11 years ago

My favorite part is where the tyrannosaurus battles the triceratops. It really shows what O'Brien's Rex is capable of. By extension, it shows how powerful Kong is when he defeats one.

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"In literature, it's called plagiarism. In the movies, it's homage" ~ Roger Ebert

[–] pete-293 10 years ago

back in 1968 while I was a student at Eastern Kentucky University, a friend had a copy of this film in 8mm format. we watched it numerous times in the dorm room. he had other silent classic in 8mm like Phantom of the Opera, Cabinet of Dr. Caligeri, Metroplois, Nosferatu, and numerous shorts. loved all of them.

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

[–] Skye_Reynolds 10 years ago

Very nice. I had a chance to see Phantom of the Opera with a musical accompaniment a few weeks ago. It was a very enjoyable experience overall. It was my third time seeing the film, but my first time seeing it on the silver screen.

Any one of those films that you mentioned would be enjoyable to see in a movie theater.

[–] talisencrw 10 years ago

I love The Lost World. The soundtrack is especially remarkable on the version I've seen. Sadly, it's only 60 minutes and is missing a lot. =(

[–] prolelol (1428) 7 years ago

I liked it a little better than King Kong '33. Both are really good movies!

[–] rudeboymurray (3281) 5 years ago

King Kong is one of my all-time favourite movies but The Lost World is also remarkable. The plot is a little creaky (the book is brilliant and moves at a much brisker pace) but as an effects achievement it is still eye-popping 95 (!) years on. The dinosaur stampede is a masterful sequence.

[–] HarlemEagle42 (18115) 5 years ago

It's a great dinosaur movie.

[–] bobbydallas (8620) 3 years ago

have not seen the film yet, but the book rocks!