The Last Dinosaur

The Last Dinosaur

Year: 1977

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Directors: Tsugunobu Kotani, Alexander Grasshoff

Science FictionAdventureTV MovieEpic history and literatureSci-fi monster and dinosaur adventures

In this adventure, wealthy big‑game hunter Boone leads his team into an uncharted area that turns out to be a lost world ruled by a gigantic, man‑eating dinosaur. Stranded in prehistoric times, the group must evade the ferocious predator while desperately searching for a way back to their own era.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Last Dinosaur (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Last Dinosaur (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Modern era

The expedition unfolds in contemporary times, with a wealthy industrialist funding a high-tech drilling crew to explore under the polar ice. Technology such as a manned laser drill collides with prehistoric dangers, creating a clash between modern exploration and ancient life. The setting blends present-day urgency with a prehistoric ecosystem.

Location

Polar caps valley

An isolated ice-covered valley reached by the Polar Borer, located in the polar region. The valley shelters ancient life, including Pteranodons and a Tyrannosaurus rex, and is surrounded by ice, rock and volcanic heat pockets. The harsh environment forces the crew to camp in a cave, while cavemen roam nearby.

❄️ Polar 🦕 Dinosaur 🗺️ Remote

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

Main Characters – The Last Dinosaur (1977)

Meet the key characters of The Last Dinosaur (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Masten Thrust Jr. (Richard Boone)

A wealthy oil magnate who funds the expedition and seeks both scientific discovery and personal glory. His drive and arrogance push the crew toward dangerous confrontations with dinosaurs, especially the T. rex. He remains fiercely loyal to his goal even as the valley consumes his plans.

💼 Wealthy magnate 🗡️ Hunter

Chuck Wade (Steven Keats)

A stubborn, capable geologist who survives the initial encounter and serves as the practical voice of reason among the group. His experience with the drilling accident proves crucial to understanding the valley's dangers. He often acts as the mediator between Maston and Frankie.

🧭 Geologist

Francesca Banks (Joan Van Ark)

A Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer invited by the press pool. She uses her wit and charm to join the expedition, documenting events and shaping the crew's morale. Her presence introduces a human perspective within the peril.

📷 Photographer 🗞️ Journalist

Dr. Kawamoto (Tetsu Nakamura)

A scientist who remains at the camp and attempts to study the environment. He falls victim to the T. rex's attack, highlighting the ever-present danger of the valley and the limits of timely science.

🧪 Scientist

Bunta (Luther Rackley)

A Maasai tracker who brings essential survival skills and knowledge of tracking large mammals. He forms part of the core group’s defense and helps in their adaptation to the valley’s dangers.

🧭 Tracker

Hazel (Masumi Sekiya)

A cavewoman who befriends the expedition members and helps Frankie with daily tasks. She embodies a bridge between two worlds: the modern explorers and the valley’s ancient inhabitants.

🧭 Ally

Triceratops (Tatsumi Nikamoto)

A large herbivore released by the T. rex after the Polar Borer’s destruction. It clashes with the predator, highlighting the struggle for survival among Cretaceous creatures in the valley.

🦕 Dinosaur

Tyrannosaurus (Toru Kawai)

The dominant predator in the valley who relentlessly hunts the humans and his adversaries. His presence drives the expedition’s most tense confrontations and tests the group’s courage.

🦖 Predator

Caveman Leader (Shunsuke Kariya)

A leader of the valley's cavemen who the group encounters and sometimes clashes with. He represents the primitive inhabitants who navigate the same harsh landscape.

🪨 Caveman

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

Major Themes – The Last Dinosaur (1977)

Explore the central themes of The Last Dinosaur (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Man vs Nature

The story pits human ambition and ingenuity against the raw power of a prehistoric ecosystem. The crew's advanced technology repeatedly collides with ancient predators, forcing them to adapt or perish. Survival hinges on understanding and respecting nature's boundaries.

⚠️ Hubris

The expedition's wealth-driven mission demonstrates how greed and ego can blind judgment. Maston Thrust's drive to defeat the T. rex mirrors a reckless pursuit of dominance over a world older than humanity. Consequences are personal, deadly, and sometimes tragic.

🧊 Isolation

The valley acts as a remote setting where civilization is distant and dependence on a small group is essential. Escape routes are blocked, making every decision life-or-death. Bonds formed in isolation become the only anchor against the relentless predator.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:52

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The Last Dinosaur Summary

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The Last Dinosaur Summary

The Last Dinosaur Timeline

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The Last Dinosaur Timeline

More About The Last Dinosaur

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