When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth Blu-ray Review

The 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray release of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" by Warner Archive Collection presents a commendable effort, achieved through a 2K scan of the international version's Interpositive (IP) by Warner's Motion Picture Imaging facility. The result is an image that remains true to the source material while revealing the inherent limitations of the film's original budget and technical framework. Colors are balanced yet somewhat muted, with noticeable falloff in clarity and detail during optical effects sequences. Grain is stable and natural, though more pronounced in special effects scenes, indicative of the source elements rather than defects in the transfer. The disc is mastered at a high bitrate of 34.99 Mbps, ensuring a robust and accurate representation.

The 1.85:1 transfer retains a solid visual appeal, allowing the impressive creature effects and fine details in costuming to come to life. Colors transition from slightly subdued in the opening credits to well-balanced and natural throughout the film. However, during optical effects, colors can appear bleached, reflecting the limitations of the original elements rather than any issues with the transfer itself. Black levels are robust, contributing to a decent sense of depth without experiencing crush issues. Flesh tones are pleasingly natural with a healthy pink and tanned hue.

Overall, while this Blu-ray might not serve as demo material due to its inherent production constraints, it stands as an accurate and satisfying visual presentation for fans. The restoration and color correction work have resulted in a crisp and clear image faithful to the film's original look, capturing both its strengths and unavoidable weaknesses.

The audio presentation of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" on Blu-ray is delivered in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono. While serviceable, the track does exhibit limitations intrinsic to its source. Original elements have resulted in a narrow dynamic range and occasional distortion during action sequences, leading to a somewhat shrill and tinny sound. The creature roars, a pivotal aspect of the film, are underwhelming compared to modern benchmarks like "Jurassic Park." However, dialogue – consisting mainly of caveman grunting – is rendered with adequate clarity and fidelity.

The score and subtler sound effects benefit from the lossless quality of the DTS-HD MA 2.0 encoding. Despite the inherent drawbacks of the optical track print master, the presentation provides clear enough audio, though it lacks the richness and depth found in more advanced sound mix formats. The English 2.0 mono track is correctly balanced, ensuring that music and ambient effects do not overpower the dialogue. While not exceptional, it delivers a consistent auditory experience that complements the visual presentation well. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for added accessibility. Overall, this audio mix is functional and faithful to the film’s original soundscape without any major enhancements or restorations.

The extras for the Blu Ray release of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" are quite limited, lacking any HD exclusive bonus features. The sole addition is the film's trailer, presented in 1080p with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a duration of 2:48. While the technical quality of the trailer is commendable, showcasing the restoration efforts, the scarcity of supplemental content might disappoint enthusiasts seeking deeper insights into the production and historical context of this cult classic. The absence of more substantial extras like behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, or commentary tracks is notable.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The original film trailer in 1080p quality.

Hammer Films' "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" is an audacious blend of prehistoric adventure and fantasy, designed to capitalize on the public's fascination with dinosaurs and ancient times. Following their success with "One Million Years B.C.," Hammer sought to recreate the formula by enlisting director Val Guest and effects artist Jim Danforth, substituting Raquel Welch with Victoria Vetri, a former Playboy Playmate. The film's narrative centers around Sanna (Vetri), a human sacrifice who escapes her tribe's ritual, only to plunge into a world fraught with dinosaur encounters, tribal conflicts, and simplistic survival instincts.

The film's strengths lie predominantly in Danforth's Oscar-nominated stop-motion effects, which manage to inject life into a narrative otherwise bogged down by clichéd tropes and unconvincing props. The creatures, particularly the ferocious giant crabs, add a dimension of visual intrigue that distracts from the rudimentary set designs and cheesy costumes. Unlike "One Million Years B.C.," this film embraces its campy nature, featuring manufactured primitive languages without translations, which may amuse or frustrate viewers depending on their tolerance for repetitious grunts and monosyllables.

While not a cornerstone of cinema, "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" acknowledges its role as an entertaining spectacle rather than a serious narrative venture. The Blu-ray release by Warner Archive Collection enhances the nostalgia by including the more risqué international version. The added nudity might have seemed daring in the 1960s but is relatively tame by today's standards. Ultimately, this film serves as both a nostalgic trip for those yearning for mid-20th-century fantasy cinema and a humorous artifact of its time. Despite its flaws, it offers an engaging trip back to a fantastical past where humans and dinosaurs coexisted under the looming threat of both natural calamities and inter-tribal rivalries.

Warner Archive has delivered an impressive Blu-ray release of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth," a film that has captivated fans of stop-motion animation and prehistoric adventures for years. This 1080p transfer dramatically improves over previous televised versions, showcasing crisp visuals that highlight the intricate details and charm of the stop-motion creatures. While some might argue that the film doesn't reach the same heights as its predecessor, "One Million Years B.C.," it remains an enjoyable watch with its mix of scantily clad characters and fantastical creatures.

Despite the engaging audio-visual quality, the Blu-ray's bonus content is notably sparse, offering only a trailer. The absence of additional extras, such as a historical audio commentary, is a missed opportunity that might have added substantial value to this release. Nevertheless, the disc's technical presentation alone justifies a place in any collector's library, appealing especially to enthusiasts of classic stop-motion animation.

In conclusion, Warner Archive’s Blu-ray of "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" is a testament to the company's responsiveness to fan interest and dedication to high-quality transfers. Despite a limited supplementary package, the excellent A/V quality makes this release highly recommended for fans and connoisseurs alike.