Big Dinosaur emerges from the depths of the ocean, attacks city, destroys city, gets killed, world saved. Pretty much your standard fare for dinosaur movies from back in the 1950s. But there was one that was different, one that had a story that tugged at your heart and didn't let go. It's rare that a dinosaur movie will ever get more than two stars out of four when you read those review books.

Gorgo was one of the very few exceptions.

To be fair, Gorgo wasn't one of your 1950s dinosaur flicks. It was made in 1961 in the United Kingdom. The original story was written by Robert L. Richards. This was a man with real talent and not just another schlock "sci-fi" con man. He got some help from a gentleman by the name of Daniel James. Between the two of them they put together one of the most compelling dinosaur movies ever made. The direction of Eugene Lourie completed this masterpiece of a movie.

Unlike most dinosaur flicks, the plot of this one was actually very involved. The story was brilliant. It begins with an undersea earthquake that nearly sinks a salvage vessel off of the coast of Ireland. A few nights later a sea monster enters the coastal town. This is where a couple of men, who happen to run a circus, decide that this creature would be an incredible addition to their displays. So the two men, Joe Ryan and Sam Slade, played brilliantly by Bill Travers and William Sylvester, set out to capture the beast. After several attempts, one which nearly costs Ryan his life, the creature is captured and brought to the circus. The creature was named Gorgo for the purpose of attracting fans and curiosity seekers.

A boy by the name of Sean, played by Vincent Walker, was against this from the start. He insisted that the creature deserved to be free. He told Ryan and Slade this under no uncertain terms. Of course the men don't listen to the boy.

While in captivity at the circus there is an accident where someone gets too close to the creature and is killed. Unfortunate, but no reason to close down the circus or the attraction. Still, the boys warnings continue.

And then the fun begins.

Ryan and Slade are brought in to a scientific meeting and are told straight out that this creature is not full grown. They then show the men some drawings depicting the child and the parent, who just happens to be about four times the size. The men are a bit taken back but in spite of requests to release the beast, they refuse to do so.

And then it happens.

Out of the ocean comes the child's mother, huge and terrifying and quite angry. And thus begins this creatures destructive trek through the city. The military goes after it with everything it has. In the meantime a reporter, played beautifully by Maurice Kaufmann, gives a chilling play by play of the entire event as the creature destroys most of England's greatest landmarks.

Eventually the mother makes her way to her child, frees it from the circus and returns home. As this unfolds the reporter remarks how feeble we as humans were in our attempts to stop this creature. And as the boy watches on, he speaks the film's final lines.

"They're going back now...back where they belong...back to the sea".

His face was split between tears and a smile.

No, this wasn't your typical dinosaur flick.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Films