The Valley of Gwangi
Cowboy ambition collides with prehistoric fury when a would-be circus attraction escapes the boundaries of a hidden Mexican valley.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- playful
- nostalgic
- adventurous
- family movie night
- retro monster marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly value Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion effects, Technicolor imagery, and nostalgic western-monster premise despite uneven dialogue and acting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tuck Kirby and his fellow cowboys pursue an Allosaurus in a hidden Mexican valley and plan to exhibit it in a circus.
Ray Harryhausen's Dynamation animation gives Gwangi and other prehistoric creatures their physical presence and action.
The Forbidden Valley in Mexico contains an Allosaurus and other prehistoric creatures unknown to the outside world.
Tuck seeks fame and fortune by capturing Gwangi for display in a Mexican circus despite the animal's resistance.
Films like The Valley of Gwangi, and why
King Kong
Shared stop-motion creature spectacle, adventure fantasy, and a human attempt to exploit a prehistoric monster.
The Beast of Hollow Mountain
Shared western setting, dinosaur adventure, and imaginative practical creature effects.
One Million Years B.C.
Shared Ray Harryhausen stop-motion animation, monster peril, and playful mid-century fantasy adventure.
Mighty Joe Young
Shared cowboy-era adventure, exotic hidden-world setting, and giant creature spectacle.
Movie Details
- Director
- Jim O'Connolly
- Release Date
- 1969-07-19
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (172)
Cast
- James Franciscus
- Gila Golan
- Richard Carlson
- Laurence Naismith
- Freda Jackson
- Gustavo Rojo
- Dennis Kilbane
- Mario De Barros
- Curtis Arden
- Jose Burgos
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Valley of Gwangi about?
- Cowboy ambition collides with prehistoric fury when a would-be circus attraction escapes the boundaries of a hidden Mexican valley.
- What is The Valley of Gwangi like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Valley of Gwangi as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Valley of Gwangi violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Valley of Gwangi as mild.
- What did critics think of The Valley of Gwangi?
- Critics broadly value Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion effects, Technicolor imagery, and nostalgic western-monster premise despite uneven dialogue and acting.
- Which films are like The Valley of Gwangi?
- Films with a similar feel include King Kong, The Beast of Hollow Mountain, One Million Years B.C., and Mighty Joe Young.
- How long is The Valley of Gwangi?
- The Valley of Gwangi runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Valley of Gwangi?
- In United States, The Valley of Gwangi is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
