The Land Unknown (1957) (Blu-ray + DVD)

For the first time ever on Blu-Ray in the UK comes this 50s Universal Sci-Fi monster classic featuring “Thrills! In a paradise of hidden terrors”. This Dual-Format release features the HD 16x9 transfer as well as a reversible sleeve and poster.

A small crew led by Commander Harold Roberts (Jock Mahoney) and reporter Maggie Hathaway (Shirley Patterson) are on an expedition into Antarctica. During a helicopter flight they fly into the storm, where they almost collide in mid-air with a man-sized pterosaur, they crash-land well below sea-level in a warm volcanic crater. Inside, they discover a steamy tropical jungle populated by living dinosaurs, giant flesh-eating plants, and fresh human footprints. The crew encounters many dangers and perils in the jungle in a fight for survival.

The story was allegedly inspired by the discovery of unusually warm water in Antarctica in 1947. It starred Jock Mahoney and Shirley Patterson and was directed by Virgil W. Vogel. The film is notable for its low-budget special effects, which include men in dinosaur suits, puppets and monitor lizards standing in for dinosaurs. William Reynolds recalled the studio spent so much money on their mechanical dinosaur that they could not afford to shoot the film in colour as they first planned.

The animals featured in this film include a Tyrannosaurus, Elasmosaurus, Stegosaurus live acted by monitor lizards (which would technically make them Megalania), a pair of Pterosaurs and a giant flesh-consuming plant.