The Valley Of Gwangi

"The Valley of Gwangi" follows Tuck Kirby (James Franciscus), a cowboy and former rodeo champion who stumbles upon a hidden valley in Mexico called the Forbidden Valley. Tuck's discovery sparks the interest of a traveling circus led by the ruthless and ambitious T.J. Breckenridge (Gila Golan). Seeing the potential to profit from the prehistoric creatures rumored to reside in the valley, Breckenridge convinces Tuck to help him capture them and bring them back to the circus as sensational attractions.

As Tuck and the circus crew venture into the Forbidden Valley, they encounter a variety of monstrous creatures, including dinosaurs and a fearsome Allosaurus named Gwangi. The valley becomes a battleground as the humans struggle to survive and outwit these creatures.

Lauded as one of the best dinosaur movies, "The Valley of Gwangi" tactfully weaves together elements of adventure, romance, and creature feature genres, blending Wild West with ancient creatures to offer a unique twist on both genres. Aided by the impressive showcase of stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, the film's visual effects bring the prehistoric creatures to life and add a sense of awe and excitement to the film.

Release: 1969

Stars: James Franciscus, Gila Golan, Richard Carlson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%