The Dinosaur Films of Ray Harryhausen, 2D Ed.

By Roy P. Webber

Ray Harryhausen's affection for dinosaurs was masterfully conveyed through his animation. Beginning from the day he first watched King Kong (1933), he developed the skills and artistry over many years to create prehistoric beasts that literally came to life on celluloid. He imbued his menagerie with a level of personality and characterization not expected in the movies, moving an audience to feel sympathy and pathos at their inevitable fate. He made dinosaur features convincing enough to become the "gold standard" by which all others of the era are compared.

Chapter one recounts the details of early life and stop-motion tests, and chapters two through five discuss all aspects of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), The Animal World (1956), One Million Years B.C. (1966) and The Valley of Gwangi (1969). Chapter six covers the final Sinbad movie, several unrealized projects and his later life. Chapter seven runs through a selection of non-Harryhausen/Willis O'Brien animated dinosaur films. This expanded 2nd edition includes an additional chapter, chapter eight, which reviews his features on video formats. Also included is a greater emphasis on paleontology and improved illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476683204
• ISBN13: 9781476683201
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 328 Pages
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up