Journey to the Beginning of Time

Karel Zeman at his peak. What he was doing in the 1950s is truly admirable, and I think we can be rightly proud of him. In my opinion one of the best Czech films, and certainly the most groundbreaking. (24/11/2012)

This film caused quite a stir in the film world at the time and was successfully shown in dozens of countries. Karel Zeman became a figure in the film industry, and if he didn't work behind the Iron Curtain, he would probably have had a great career and child actors would have become recognized stars. The exceptionally well-made special effects scenes with attractive images of prehistoric animals still make the film an interesting piece and a remarkable reminder of film history today. However, the script is flat with a didactic intention that is obvious over time. In many aspects (exclusively Czech cast, scout ideals, desire for adventure), the film reminds and probably intentionally draws on Foglar's work. Overall impression: 70%. (13/06/2006)

To watch this film is to take sheer delight in Zeman's fantasy. The originality of his visual effects is still unsurpassed today, despite digital technology. With the money he had available, he wouldn’t have made even the credits in America. A beauty, and I can’t wait for the DVD edition. (13/04/2003)

Journey to the Beginning of Time was a groundbreaking effects showcase on a global scale, mainly because the central quartet of heroes, floating on the river of time, merely observe prehistoric nature reverently without interfering with it in any way. Therefore, there is no interaction between the animatronics and live actors, as there has been in similar films to date, and thus the shots with non-existent creatures and humans at the same time were more fluid than had been customary up to that point. However, the film was also adapted by the Americans for their market in the 1960s and excerpts from it appeared on the BBC and on children's shows in the USA. From today's perspective, it's a kind of cute interactive museum ride with audio commentary and a sympathetic toy-like tactility of tricks that I'd honestly be interested to see how they might work for contemporary children. The very dynamic cinematography is surprising for the 1950s, by the way. Most of all, the feeling of the irreversible ending on a rocky shoreline has affected me personally since childhood, making it seem as if the boys have accepted their fate at the beginning of all life in oblivion and damnation. However much the film's opening tries to deny this. In this case, I recommend that American opening, when that group of boys, faces downcast, hang around Manhattan before discovering a mysterious Indian cave, which, when they enter, cuts to the classic Journey to the Beginning of Time. (24/07/2019)

A captivating film that showcases storytelling, the beauty of children's and youth films, and the incredible abilities of filmmakers, especially in terms of special effects. This is one of those films that meant a lot to me as a child. Thanks to them, I adore dinosaurs. Moreover, the viewer can learn quite a lot from this film. Simply one of the best Czech films, with just four actors. The animation and use of special effects are unbelievable. (20/11/2014)