The People That Time Forgot (1977)

This sequel to The Land That Time Forgot (1975) has a slightly less serious tone and leans more towards fantasy, especially in the 2nd half, where the influence of Frank Frazetta art is evident, and it anticipates all those sword & sorcery movies which began with Conan the Barbarian (1982). Patrick Wayne sort of emulates his dad, John, as an old-fashioned man of adventure; Sarah Douglas (the villain in Superman II) is good as a prim, no-nonsense photographer; Thorley Walters & Shane Rimmer are amusing; and Dana Gillespie held my attention very well as the cavegirl they encounter - I'm surprised she didn't have a more prolific career. Doug McClure shows up in the last half-hour, reprising his role with gray beard, and is billed as guest star.
The rescue group journeys to this lost land because someone did find that message in a bottle which McClure's character threw into the ocean (see previous film). This time, they airplane in, but get damaged by one of those pesky pterodactyls. Rimmer's character stays with the airplane while the rest journey on. They have encounters with various prehistoric beasts (not quite as good as the first film) and cavemen, which gets a little tiresome. Their ultimate destination is one of those little kingdoms run by guys who like to pattern their architecture on skulls. The hostiles there show an oriental influence to their attire. The muscular executioner character is none other than Dave Prowse, who donned the Darth Vader costume in Star Wars about the same time. Finally, can someone explain to me why there is a volcanic upheaval near the end every time one of these groups visit these lost lands? It's like the volcano gods just wait to show off to such visitors. BoG's Score: 5.5 out of 10