The Land Unknown

(1957)

78 minutes

Adventure / Science Fiction

Directed by Virgil W. Vogel

Cast:

Jock Mahoney as Cmndr. Harold 'Hal' Roberts
Shirley Patterson / Shawn Smith as Margaret 'Maggie' Hathaway  
William Reynolds as Lt. Jack Carmen
Henry Brandon as Dr. Carl Hunter
Douglas Kennedy as Captain Burnham
Phil Harvey as Machinist's Mate Steve Miller
Tim Smyth is a Tyrannosaurus Rex 

This science fiction, adventure film depicts a naval expedition trapped in an Antarctic jungle, allegedly inspired by the discovery of unusually warm water in Antarctica in 1947.  Commander Harold Roberts and reporter Maggie Hathaway led a small crew on an expedition into Antarctica for the United States Navy.  During the helicopter flight the crew is called back to the ship due to an unexpected storm.  The attempt to fly around the storm was unsuccessful as they were low on fuel, so they make a dash through the storm, where a rotor is damaged when the aircraft collided with a pterodactyl.  Unable to stay in the air, they begin to descend, and much to their surprise they end up landing well below sea-level in a volcanic crater. Inside the crate they discover a tropical jungle, dinosaurs, giant meat eating plants, and human footprints. The many dangers and perils in the jungle leave the crew in a fight for survival.

The Land Unknown trailer