WFG RATING: B (film)/A+ (Blu-Ray)

Visual Vengeance presents a Frontline Entertainment production. Written and directed by Donald F. Glut. Produced by Kevin M. Glover. Cinematography by Eric J. Swanson. Editing by Tony Malanowski.

Stars Jeff Rector, William Marshall, Denise Ames, Griffin Drew, Carrie Vanston, Harrison Ray, Elizabeth Landau, Ed Fury, Tammy Lee Jackson, Staci C. Flood, and Karen Black

Visual Vengeance has released this 1997 sci-fi comedy from Donald F. Glut that is a time travel trip our hero will never forget.

Tony Markham is a renowned action star who has been given his latest script, the fourth film of his famous “Feet of Fury” franchise. However, he feels his life is going nowhere. Despite trying to put a young actress’ foot in the door, he feels unhappy and on top of that, he has been having recurring dreams about a cave woman. When a local news reporter offers to interview Tony about his new film, he takes her up on the offer but asks for a ride to the local museum.

At the museum, Tony finds a rare skull-like artifact that transports him to the prehistoric era. Shocked and not knowing what to do, he finds himself nearly victimized by the local cavemen. However, he is rescued by Hea-Thor, the cave woman who constantly appeared in his dreams. While he’s taken in by Hea-Thor and other cave women, the cavemen are setting a plan to kidnap the girls to keep them for themselves. Will Tony find a way to help the cave women and finally return home?

This 1997 indie film comes from Donald F. Glut, whose love of comic books, science fiction, and horror would lead to a successful career as a writer for various programming as well as publications. While working as a teenager making amateur films based on properties like Superman and Spider-Man, this film would mark Glut’s first foray into a successful career as a professional filmmaker, notably in cult and exploitation films.

The film stars Jeff Rector, whose work in B-movies is the stuff of legends. From playing the central villain in 1990’s Street Soldiers to playing a corrupt cop in Ballistic (aka Fist of Justice), it’s quite fun to see him in the lead as a washed up action hero who finds himself magically transported to the prehistoric times, having a sense of foreboding when he dreams of a cave woman. The film would also mark the final appearance of William Marshall, best known for his roles as the titular Blacula and the King of Cartoons on Pee Wee’s Playhouse. He plays the role of Dr. Michaels, the paleontologist who tries to figure out how Tony disappeared. 

Denise Ames plays the central character of Hea-Thor, the cave woman Tony constantly sees in his dreams and eventually falls for her upon his arrival. The other titular “dinosaur valley girls” have names like “Ro-Kell” (played by an excellent Karen Black), “Tam-Mee”, “Bam-Bee”, and “Deb-Bee” to name a few. While the focus of the film is primarily on the ladies, the guys’ scenes mainly consist of them around fire in their cave, plotting and farting…you heard that last part right. 

Dinosaur Valley Girls may be mindless in some circles, but it is quite fun to watch as we see Jeff Rector take charge as an action star in his own redemption arc in a different time period. Some funny gags, an impromptu dance sequence, and chaotic fun makes this an instant cult classic. 

As for the Visual Vengeance Blu-Ray, they once again never disappoint when it comes to the extras. There is a recent and archival commentary by Donald F. Glut and C. Courtney Joyner. There is a look at Glut’s dinosaur home museum. The making of the film and some deleted and alternate scenes are included as well as a “PG-13” family edition cut of the film (taking away the nudity) and even auditions from the actresses as well as songs from the film. 

So is it worth getting Dinosaur Valley Girls? Without a doubt, especially fans of the mindless cult films of yore. I had a blast with this film and so will you. Just make sure you get the Visual Vengeance Blu-Ray as the extras are totally worth it! 

Now available to buy on Amazon and wherever Blu-Rays are sold!