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On one hand, I admire Hammer Films for their ambition. Creatures the World Forgot contains not one word of discernable language and follows a bunch of half-nude prehistoric cave people running across beautiful locations (filmed in Namibia and South Africa). On the other hand, it’s dull and silly — a discount, knock-off Quest for Fire. The script meanders from a volcano eruption to an orgy, from a chase to a fight. It ultimately ends up the story of two brothers who battle for the title of clan chief after their father dies.
This film’s biggest mistake is not successfully pulling us into the point-of-view of any of its characters. Without dialogue, director Don Chaffey (Jason and the Argonauts, Pete’s Dragon) admittedly has an uphill challenge, but the film completely fails to make us care for any of the main characters. The only character who commands the screen is the clan’s wise old woman, a doctor and a witch of sorts. That supporting performer, Rosalie Crutchley, is the only actor who ever draws my attention and brings me into the story. The rest of the cast, including Tony Bonner and Penthouse model Julie Ege, look good in loincloths but have all the screen presence of dead leaves.
With Robin John, Brian O’Shaughnessy, and Sue Wilson. Written and produced by Hammer’s co-founder Michael Carreras. And despite the title, there are no creatures other than African wildlife in this movie. Those interested in stop-motion animated dinosaurs should look elsewhere.