logo
'They've become extinct, and are we next?': How Jurassic Park made dinosaurs into film stars

'They've become extinct, and are we next?': How Jurassic Park made dinosaurs into film stars

BBC Newsa day ago

In June 1993, Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel brought prehistoric monsters to life. Crichton spoke to the BBC about why dinosaurs continue to fascinate us.
One of the most celebrated moments in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park has two scientists, played by Sam Neill and Laura Dern, staring agasp at a Brachiosaurus towering above them – it's the first time these characters and the audience have glimpsed the colossus in all its onscreen glory. As John Williams's iconic overture swells, a wave of childlike wonder washes over their faces. And ever since the film premiered 32 years ago, on 9 June 1993, audiences have felt a similar awe. The franchise now includes animated television series, comics, video games, and seven major films, including the latest instalment, Jurassic World Rebirth, which is released in July. But it all started with Michael Crichton's bestselling novel, published in 1990.
While writing the novel, Crichton visited a museum in the UK which featured a video exhibit on dinosaurs. "Little boys and girls of three [years old] would scream 'Stegosaurus!' and 'Tyrannosaurus!' when they would appear," Crichton told the BBC's The Late Show in 1993. "You wouldn't think they'd know how to pronounce these words, but they do."
Since the discovery of the first dinosaur fossils two centuries ago, and the first official scientific naming of a dinosaur – the Megalosaurus – in 1824, our fascination with these titans of the natural world has never really waned. But it has evolved. "We have in every period some [new] aspect of interest, not so much in our own reinterpretation of the dinosaurs from a scientific standpoint, but from a cultural standpoint," said Crichton.
In 1854, a number of supposedly life-sized model dinosaurs, sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and cast in cement, were displayed in Crystal Palace Park in south London. At this point, Crichton believed, "the underlying issue soon became whether these were evidence that ought to be employed for or against Darwinian evolution, so after the initial interest in dinosaurs as simply large extinct animals, they came to be viewed from the standpoint of their religious significance."
By the time Crichton wrote Jurassic Park, however, our view of dinosaurs had moved on, both scientifically and philosophically. The podgy beasts sculpted by Hawkins had been replaced in the imagination by fast, agile, birdlike creatures – and the issue of the dinosaurs' extinction was considered of greater philosophical interest than their creation. "The question that we have when we look at dinosaurs is, 'They've become extinct, and are we next,'" Crichton said.
In between these two periods, dinosaurs stomped through cinema history. The first onscreen dinosaur starred in an animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur, in 1914. A classic silent film, The Lost World (1925), boasted stop-motion dinosaurs created by Willis O'Brien, who went on to animate the prehistoric monsters who fought King Kong in 1933. The dinosaurs in King Kong then inspired legendary animator Ray Harryhausen to create his own unique dinosaur hybrid for the film 20,000 Fathoms (1953), a Tyrannosaurus-Brontosaurus mix that rampaged through the streets of New York City. Harryhausen would go on to direct his own prehistoric monster film, One Million Years B.C. (1966), in which Raquel Welch and other fur-clad cave-people came face-to-face with dinosaurs. "We were criticised many times that human beings, particularly cavemen… never lived anywhere near the time of the dinosaur," Harryhausen said on The Late Show. "But that's a licence one has to take for the cinema because you have no drama unless you have people in with the dinosaurs."
Breaking box-office records
The film of Jurassic Park, with a screenplay co-written by Crichton, brought together people and dinosaurs more believably than ever before. Spielberg used a groundbreaking and earth-shaking combination of computer-generated imagery and practical animatronics for his cautionary tale of a corporation miraculously resurrecting long-extinct species. The corporation's CEO, John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), intends to use the creatures to populate a wildlife amusement park on an island off the coast of Costa Rica. But when the dinosaurs escape their enclosures, a group of scientists learn the hard way that Hammond's plan may have its drawbacks.
The film was a blockbuster hit in the summer of 1993, grossing $357 million domestically and $914 million worldwide in its original theatrical run. It shattered box office records, becoming the highest grossing film ever at the time of its release. Jurassic Park "delivers where it counts, in excitement, suspense and the stupendous realization of giant prehistoric reptiles", said Variety's 1993 review. In 2018, it was added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
More like this:• How a child star saved a Hollywood star from bankruptcy• The film that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a superstar• Hitchcock reveals the secret to his masterpieces
None of the sequels or spin-offs has been quite so significant, but all of the films have been Brachiosaurus-sized hits. Spielberg directed The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and then Joe Johnston took the reins for Jurassic Park III (2001). That film appeared to be the end of the big-screen series, but eventually Jurassic World (2015) roared into cinemas, beginning another trilogy: at the time, it was the third highest-grossing film ever released.
Dinosaurs still instil childlike wonder, it seems, and as long as they do, the Jurassic Park franchise won't remain extinct for long.
--
For more stories and never-before-published radio scripts to your inbox, sign up to the In History newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week.
For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Closed UK waterpark to FINALLY reopen after shutting 17 months ago
Closed UK waterpark to FINALLY reopen after shutting 17 months ago

The Sun

time13 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Closed UK waterpark to FINALLY reopen after shutting 17 months ago

A POPULAR waterpark that was forced to close in 2023 has revealed plans to finally reopen this year - with some new areas for guests. The SC2 waterpark in Rhyl, Wales, shut back in December 2023 after devastating storms. 3 3 Now, the waterpark has confirmed they will be reopening next month on Friday, July 5. It will also have new additions, including a adventure play structure inside the Rainforest Diner. The diner will have an updated menu, too. Visitors can also enjoy a selection of gelato ice creams at the attraction. Online bookings for the indoor waterpark are set restart today. Jamie Groves, managing director at Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: "Everyone at DLL is extremely excited to see our flagship attraction reopening. The damage to the roof was extensive, but we were never going to let that get us down. "SC2 is the jewel in Rhyl's crown and our priority was to re-open the attraction as soon as we possibly could. "We know how important SC2 is to Rhyl, and we were determined to come back bigger and better than before. "As one of the Denbighshire's biggest employers, we are proud to have recently taken on another 30 people at SC2, and will be reopening with an exciting team, who can't wait to give everyone the very best customer experiences. "This year, we want to give visitors and residents a summer of fun and happy memories at SC2, and we can't wait to see you all in July, with exclusive discounts for locals as a thank you for their support while we were closed!" Huge AquaCity waterpark in Poprad People have praised the update, with one saying: "Fantastic news!" The waterpark first welcomed visitors back in April 2019 and features slides such as the Boomerang, Anaconda and Speedster. Costing £15million to build, for little ones, there is also the Piranha Play area. In total, DLL runs eight leisure centres. Here is also the first look at huge new £200million indoor waterpark opening in the UK with an aquadrome and adventure zone. Plus, the massive European waterpark with 14 themed lands opens new outdoor pool and 150-seat swim up bar. 3

Love Island All Star flogs her wardrobe on Vinted – with items priced from a tenner
Love Island All Star flogs her wardrobe on Vinted – with items priced from a tenner

The Sun

time16 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Love Island All Star flogs her wardrobe on Vinted – with items priced from a tenner

A LOVE Island pocket rocket has got fans in a fashion frenzy after shifting her old wardrobe on Vinted. The bombshell has put some of her pre-worn clothes on the selling site - with items going for a very affordable price. 9 9 9 9 Reality star and influencer Kady McDermott has thrilled followers by putting her clobber up for grabs for as little as a tenner on the second hand platform. She told followers on social media: "Shop my Vinted," along with an array of pictures of dresses, trousers, tops, sportswear, heels, trainers, shoes, occasionwear and ski gear. The former Towie star's for sale collection includes pink MyProtein size 6 leggings for £10 and a size 8 Distressed Denim Mini Dress from H:ours for £55. Amongst other penny-pinching steals, there's a size 8 Metallic Drape Bandeau Mini Dress for £190 from Retrofête and a size 8 Pretty Little Thing Distressed Faux Leather Biker Racer Jacket for £12. There's an XS Six Stories White Trouser Suit going for £60 and a Lavish Alice Rose Pink Dress, which has never been worn and has its original tags, size 6 for £50. The star is giving half the profit from threads sold towards a charity close to her heart, Brain Tumour Research. Kady wrote on the charity website: "Nan was the rock of our family… by the time they confirmed it was a brain tumour, there was nothing anyone could do…" She continued: "She was the best nan ever. My dad wasn't around when I was growing up so it was like I had two mums. "Nan lived close by and used to pick me up from school and make cakes for me and my brother Keenan and sister Kirsty. I remember her feeding us until we could hardly move! She was the perfect cook. "Growing up, I was really close to her and would probably tell Nan more about what was going on in my life than Mum. She was always on my side." Kady McDermott SPLITS from millionaire boyfriend & makes brutal 'you can't change bad morals' swipe She admitted: "Apart from a bit of a family history of migraines, which I suffer from too, everyone is pretty fit and healthy in my family. To be honest, I never thought serious illness could happen to us." Kady's official account splits 50% of the profit donated to The Brain Tumour Research Charity - and is run by her management team. It reads: "No refunds. Always posted within time frame. Happy shopping." This comes after Kady has confirmed she is back together with her millionaire ex boyfriend. The brunette beauty is back together with her on/off boyfriend millionaire Henry Simmons. Kady, 29, previously told fans she had caught Henry Simmons, 25, cheating with 'two women she found leaving his house'. The reality star, who first hinted in December that they were back together, has been spotted with Henry enjoying a luxury holiday in the Maldives. Kady - who originally appeared in the second series of Love Island - made waves in the recent All Stars by having an almighty falling out with fellow contestant Mitch Taylor. The Love Island's season 10 contestants went head to head with Mitch accusing Kady of having a secret boyfriend on the outside. 9 9 9 9 9

Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 'very manageable' with no surprises at either level
Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 'very manageable' with no surprises at either level

BreakingNews.ie

time17 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 'very manageable' with no surprises at either level

The Leaving Cert Irish Paper 2 will have had students breathing a sigh of relief, according to Irish teacher at Moyle Park College, Dublin, Stephen Doyle. The Studyclix subject expert said that there is "no doubt" the paper would have been well received. Advertisement 'The two reading comprehensions were well chosen - the first text focused on Rory Gallagher and music while the second passage about Sport in Ireland was very relevant and easy to relate to," Mr Doyle said. "Both were very manageable. The grammar threw up no surprises while the 6b questions were a bit more specific than in previous years. "A sigh of relief could be heard as the long awaited Hurlamaboc made an appearance in the prose section. Students were expecting it last year but it didn't appear; thankfully this year it did. Students had an option between Hurlamaboc and Oisín i dTír na nÓg with the questions being very straightforward with no surprises. 'Again students would have been happy with the choice of poems in the poetry section. An Spailpín Fánach and Colscaradh appeared on this year's paper. There were no difficult or tricky questions. Any student who had prepared these poems will be very happy with the questions asked." Advertisement The final section of the paper, Litríocht Breise, offered "good variety and plenty of choice," according to Mr Doyle. "The question on An Trial and A thig Ná Tit orm was straightforward and focused on the case of the main character. While the questions on Gafa and Canary Wharf focused on the relationships between the characters," he said. 'This paper rewarded students who had studied their texts well and could write clearly about what they had learned. Students will be happy with this one.' The "student-friendly" Ordinary Level Paper 2 also had no surprise questions, Mr Doyle added, and it covered the basics well. "The reading comprehensions focused on the Olympics and the Phoenix Park (nature), topics that were accessible and relatable for students. The prose section offered a choice between Dís, Oisín i dTír na nÓg and Hurlamaboc, which was expected and gave students good options," he said. 'The poetry section included Mo Ghrá-sa, An tEarrach Thiar and Colscaradh, with straightforward questions that tested students' understanding of the main themes and content. There were no surprise questions. Overall, this paper provided ordinary level students with plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge successfully.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store