The Lost World

 

The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle might be more known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but he actually wrote five books with another main character: Professor Challenger. Challenger is abrasive, blunt, everything that Holmes is not. He’s also a lot of fun. In this first story, Challenger with a group of other scientists and a reporter to examine a plateau where a dinosaurs still exist. It’s a fun story. However, you need to read it in the spirit in which it was written. It was written in 1907. It is very sexist and racist, but if you accept that you can then enjoy the adventure.

The Adventure of the Challenging Professor in the book The Manifestations of Sherlock Holmes by James Lovegrove

In Doyle’s books Challenger and Holmes never met. They might have as well lived in completely different Londons. Lovegrove, however, has written a short story where Professor Challenger calls upon Holmes to solve a murder in his house. His pet pterodactyl has killed a man in a locked room. It is up to Holmes to discover how and why.

The Lost World (1925)

One of the only silent movies that I have seen. This movie stays pretty close to the original book. The special effects were done by Willis O’Brian who went on to do the effects for the original King Kong. A fun fact, Doyle actually saw this movie and tricked Houdini into thinking that they had really found dinosaurs by showing him a still.

The Lost World (1960)

A modern adaptation of the novel has Challenger and crew flying out to the Amazon to find their dinosaurs.

The Lost World (1992)

One of my favorite versions of this story. It is period. John Rhys-Davies is amazing as Challenger and all the other characters are just as great. If you only watch one version of the Lost World, I suggest you this one.

The Return to the Lost World (1992)

A direct sequel to the above movie, Rhys-Davies reprises his role as Challenger and everyone else comes back when the Lost World is threatened by a corporation that wants to exploit the plateau and destroy the dinosaurs.

The Lost World (2001)

Perhaps my least favorite version simply because I did not appreciate the religious connotations. In this version they are stranded on the plateau because a fanatical Christian is concerned that the locals will prove evolution. I hate it when Christians are depicted as these horrible people. It does have some redeeming qualities, however, which is why I still include it on this list.