How did Jurassic Park stand the test of time?published at 11:44 BST
Madeleine Lake
Live reporter
Image source, Getty Images / Murray CloseSam Neill as Dr Alan Grant takes on a Tyrannosaurus Rex in a scene from Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park brought not just stardom to Sam Neill, but a fresh take on dinosaur movies. And while they are based on the prehistoric creatures, the franchise is far from extinct.
Since its premiere in 1993 there has been an animated television series, comics, videogames, and seven films – three of which starred Neill.
It all started with an adaptation of the best selling novel by Michael Crichton, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
Audiences were captivated with Spielberg’s use a combination of computer generated images (CGI) and practical animatronics that brought dinosaurs and people together. It evoked a childlike wonder and curiosity of these creatures.
In an interview on the Jess Cagle show, Neill said the film works well because it can make you feel like you can “almost touch” the dinosaurs.
Image source, Getty Images / Murray CloseJurassic Park was described as “Jaws with claws”, both films having been directed by Steven Spielberg, seen here posing between a pair of giant dinosaur feet in a publicity still for the film
“When you see a dinosaur it is sometimes computer generated and sometimes it’s this real thing that’s right in your face.”
He added that a lot of the horror also came from the things you don’t see.
“For me the scariest moment is when we are stuck in the vans, and the goat has been eaten, something terrible is afoot and you can hear something walking around, what is that thing going to be?”
Another memorable cinematic moment is when the two scientists played by Neill and Laura Dern are towered over by a Brachiosaurus – allowing the audience see the scale of the creatures.
The film was a blockbuster hit in the summer of 1993, grossing $914m (£682m) worldwide in its original theatrical run. It shattered box office records, becoming the highest grossing film ever at the time of its release.
If you want to learn more about why many of us are fascinated with these prehistoric creatures, you can listen to a podcast about it on BBC sounds here.
