The Land That Time Forgot
During World War I, a German U-boat sinks a British passenger ship and takes the survivors aboard. After getting lost in fog, the submarine surfaces near the unknown island of Caprona, a lost world where they find dinosaurs and Neanderthals.
Despite its minimal budget of $625K, The Land That Time Forgot became a box office phenomenon, earning $4.4M worldwide—a remarkable 605% return. The film's unique voice connected with viewers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Land That Time Forgot (1974) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Kevin Connor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A bottle containing a manuscript washes ashore on a beach, establishing the frame narrative of Bowen Tyler's story of survival and discovery.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The submarine becomes hopelessly lost when the compass is sabotaged, cutting off all hope of returning to civilization and forcing enemies to cooperate for survival.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The crew discovers oil deposits that could fuel their escape, but a major attack by a prehistoric creature damages the submarine and kills several crew members, raising the stakes significantly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 67 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The submarine is catastrophically damaged and begins to sink. Captain von Schoenvorts is killed, and the vessel becomes completely unusable, destroying all hope of escape from Caprona., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tyler and Lisa lead the remaining survivors in establishing a foothold in Caprona, defending against final prehistoric threats and making peace with their new reality. Tyler completes his manuscript documenting their journey., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Land That Time Forgot's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Land That Time Forgot against these established plot points, we can identify how Kevin Connor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Land That Time Forgot within the science fiction genre.
Kevin Connor's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Kevin Connor films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Land That Time Forgot takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kevin Connor filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Kevin Connor analyses, see Motel Hell.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A bottle containing a manuscript washes ashore on a beach, establishing the frame narrative of Bowen Tyler's story of survival and discovery.
Theme
A crew member discusses evolution and adaptation during the submarine journey, foreshadowing the film's exploration of survival and mankind's place in nature's order.
Worldbuilding
The 1916 wartime setting is established as a British merchant ship is torpedoed by a German U-boat. Survivors including Bowen Tyler and biologist Lisa Clayton are rescued, only to help capture the U-boat and its crew, creating an uneasy alliance of enemies.
Disruption
The submarine becomes hopelessly lost when the compass is sabotaged, cutting off all hope of returning to civilization and forcing enemies to cooperate for survival.
Resistance
British and Germans struggle with mutual distrust while navigating the submarine. Resources dwindle as they debate their options and discover they're heading toward uncharted Antarctic waters.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The crew explores Caprona, encountering dinosaurs, primitive humans at various evolutionary stages, and the land's strange properties. British and Germans work together to survive against prehistoric threats while searching for fuel.
Midpoint
The crew discovers oil deposits that could fuel their escape, but a major attack by a prehistoric creature damages the submarine and kills several crew members, raising the stakes significantly.
Opposition
Tensions reignite between British and Germans as resources grow scarce. Continuous attacks from dinosaurs and hostile cavemen intensify. The group's unity fractures as old wartime hostilities resurface under pressure.
Collapse
The submarine is catastrophically damaged and begins to sink. Captain von Schoenvorts is killed, and the vessel becomes completely unusable, destroying all hope of escape from Caprona.
Crisis
Tyler and Lisa face the reality that they're trapped forever in this prehistoric land. Survivors mourn their dead and grapple with hopelessness as they realize they must adapt or die.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Tyler and Lisa lead the remaining survivors in establishing a foothold in Caprona, defending against final prehistoric threats and making peace with their new reality. Tyler completes his manuscript documenting their journey.
Transformation
Tyler seals his manuscript in a bottle and casts it into the sea. He and Lisa stand together, transformed from civilized enemies into partners adapted to a primitive world, accepting their new existence.