The Dinosaur Filmography

By Mark F. Berry

Book Overview

From classics like King Kong, to beloved B-movies like The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, to blockbusters like Jurassic Park, it's easy to see that filmmakers and audiences alike love to see dinosaurs on the screen. This comprehensive filmography, arranged alphabetically by title, contains entries that include basic facts (year of release, country of origin, studio, and running time), followed by a concise plot summary, the author's critical commentary, information on the production and the people behind it, and secrets of the often-ingenious special effects. Three useful appendices feature films with minor dinosaur content, planned but unfinished dinosaur movies, and the quasi-dinosaurs of Toho Studios.

To be included, a movie must depict one or more representations of a "prehistoric reptile." Inaccurate portrayals are included, as long as the intent is to represent a real or fictional dinosaur. Not eligible are films featuring prehistoric mammals, prehistoric humans or humanoids, and beasts of mythology--unless, of course, the movie also has a dinosaur.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786424532
• ISBN13: 9780786424535
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 509 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.1" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The definitive dino movie book

Mark F. Berry's Dinosaur Filmography is wittily and entertainingly written and based on thorough knowledge of both real dinosaurs and the special effects used to recreate them. Berry has pulled together information from many little-known fan magazines, but he does not rely on recycling old material. He has done original research by interviewing several filmmakers, mostly effects artists. Berry's commentaries are full of infectious enthusiasm about the better films, but he is also genuinely critical. He understands what makes dino movies tick. There are about 200 illustrations, about two dozen of them in color. Each entry includes a brief synopsis, critical commentary, notes on participants and the production of the film, and a section on special effects. Berry includes films but not TV; thus he has entries on the two Flintstones theater films but not the TV series. He includes animated features and some of the most important animated shorts, such as Gertie the Dinosaur, but not all cartoon shorts featuring dinosaurs. Documentaries are omitted. Appendices briefly cover films with brief dinosaur scenes or minor saurian plot elements, abortive projects and the Japanese giant monster films. There is a major bibliography of books, magazine articles and online resources. Dinosaur Filmography puts in the shade all previous dino movie books, except for Stephen Jones' Illustrated Dinosaur Movie Guide (1993), which has much shorter entries than Berry and is nine years older, but is still worthwhile for Jones' sharp comments and excellent illustrations.

A Fantastic Read!

Mark Berry's 'The Dinosaur Filmography' is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in some time. It is meticulously researched and extremely thorough. It is also engaging in its analysis, which is often accompanied with first hand anecdotes from some giants of the dino-film industry. It is the kind of book I dreamed about having when I was a kid. Every dinosaur movie I've ever heard of, and some that I haven't, are here. Many are accompanied by photos that I've never seen, which is a real treat - especially for some of the classics, such as King Kong, where I thought I had seen them all. This is one of those books that you will never get tired of. It is equally entertaining whether reading for a couple of hours or paging through for a couple of minutes. The timing of this review coincides, not so coincidentally, with the time of year. Every October I pour over TV guides to see if any of the classic (and not so classic, but I love them just the same) dinosaur or giant B-monster movies will be on. Unfortunately for at least a couple of years running, I've seen all too few. Since there seems to be a specialty cable channel for just about every subject, why couldn't there be one on dinosaur and giant monster movies? I'm sure I'm not the only one who waxes nostalgic for the charm of these films - whether they be classic Harryhausen flicks or the rubber suit jobs that thrilled us as kids regardless (Unknown Island and The Land Unknown come quickly to mind). In addition to being a great read, Berry's Dinosaur Filmography book is the perfect resource for such a channel. Next October I'll be scanning the channel guides again in the hope that somewhere a cable programmer came to the same conclusion.

WOW!!! Outstanding book on Dinosaurs in the cinema!!

As a kid growing up, like most kids , I loved dinosaurs. That affection let me into a life long love of films in general, and that wonderful sub genre, the dinosaur movie. From Knig Kong and Harryhausens magnificent creations to the drek of Bert I Gordons enlarged Iguanas, I saw them all *(not to mention all the wonderful distant radioactive relative from Japan!) This book has all the well known (and not so well known) films of this genre. Filled with synopsis, commentary on the films and FX, great photos, and a lively, informative and wonderfully readable text. Never stooping to wild over intelectualization of the films, this book is a great treat and deserves a place of honor on any film lover, science fiction, or dinosaur fans shelf! Some Japanese kaiju fans might feel slighted, but Godzilla and Company are more fantasy creations than dinosaur, but there are listings of those films in the appendix. Another great McFarland book, and THE book on Dinosaur movies!!!