Planet of Dinosaurs

Captain Lee Norsythe's Odyssey suffers a mechanical failure and crashes onto a planet with Earth-like conditions. As the ship sinks into a lake, Cindy realizes she forgot the radio and asks Chuck to help retrieve it. The attempt ends when an unidentified aquatic creature attacks Cindy, leaving the crew without communications.

With eight crew members surviving, they acknowledge that survival is their primary goal. They begin to explore the planet to assess danger, resources, and possible routes to safety. The expedition sets a cautious tone for their early days.

Derna slips while navigating a swamp, dropping the laser gun given by Mike into the water. The weapon becomes unusable, removing a key tool for defense. The team continues forward, adapting to the loss.

The crew encounters a Brontosaurus, confirming the planet shares an Earth-like evolutionary track albeit millions of years younger. The sighting reinforces the sense of a complex ecosystem with familiar patterns. They take note of the flora and fauna as they press on.

Charlotte analyzes the local flora and determines that the berries and plants are poisonous to humans. She warns the group to avoid dangerous vegetation as they navigate the terrain. The finding shapes their foraging strategy and daily choices.

After another dinosaur encounter, Lee concludes that a high plateau will be beyond the reach of large predators. He proposes a risky ascent to secure a defensible position for the survivors. The team begins the arduous climb.

During the ascent, Nyla slips and loses the entire supply of food rations. The loss tests the crew's resolve and Simon’s leadership, as Lee refuses to risk a dangerous retrieval mission. Hunger and frustration begin to mount as supplies dwindle.

Near a higher cave, Harvey Baylor discovers a nest of eggs and steals one for potential leverage. He is attacked and killed by a Centrosaurus defending its nest. His death highlights the planet's dangers and the fragile human position.

Following Harvey's death, Lee decides to halt the expedition and settle in a defensible area. Jim argues that they should begin a new civilization rather than await rescue. The crew becomes divided over long-term strategy.

The survivors start building a defensive stockade around a cave to shield themselves from predators. They organize the group and gather materials to fortify their refuge. The makeshift fortress marks a shift from wandering survival to structured protection.

A large Tyrannosaurus arrives and slays Derna, demolishing the stockade in a brutal assault. The crew retreats, realizing their defenses are inadequate against the apex predator. The threat becomes immediate and personal.

The group devises a plan to poison the predator by coating a dead Polacanthus with berry poison and baiting the lair. The plan backfires when the Tyrannosaurus attacks from behind, killing Mike. The setback forces a reevaluation of tactics.

Jim proposes a second plan using large wooden stakes coated in poison to impale the predator. After some initial trouble, the trap succeeds and the Tyrannosaurus is killed. The immediate threat is removed, but at great cost.

Years pass and the survivors establish an agricultural settlement, turning the abandoned area into a functioning community. Chuck and Charlotte have a son named Mikey, and life centers on farming, defense, and family. Charlotte wonders whether rescue will ever come, while Nyla notes that rescue may no longer seem important.