BABY, SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND

US, 1985, 88 minutes, Colour.
Sean Young, William Katt, Patrick Mc Goohan , Julian Fellowes,
Edward Hardwicke.
Directed by Bill Norton.

Baby, Secret of the Lost Legend is a Disney film, produced by Touchstone Films, a revamped section of the Disney empire, making films for teenage and adult audiences as Splash, Country.

However, this story is rather traditional - echoing Tarzan stories and those many expeditions to darkest Africa to discover its secrets. The focus is on scientists and journalists and prehistoric animals. The story is old-fashioned. there is a lot of local colour, the special effects for the dinosaurs and the brontosaurus are especially effective. The leads are pleasant, Patrick Mc Goohan makes quite a sinister villain, The film is directed by B.W.L. Norton, a writer of numerous films including Cisco Pike and More American Graffiti.

1. An entertaining film? Young audiences, family audiences? From the Disney Studios?

2. Audience interest in Africa, colour photography, people, the opening festivity, the forests and jungles, the rivers? The special effects ? especially for the animals? For the final battle?

3. The old style story, adventure, relationship to Tarzan stories? A variation on Born Free?

4. The focus on Africa, exploration, scientists, doctors, journalists, '80s style? Hazards, health, the military, science and discoveries, intrigues, violence?

5. George and Susan as an attractive couple? Their respective careers, skills, possibilities, decisions, Susan's hopes being dashed by Eric, her helping with the medical problem, her curiosity aroused, going without George's permission, the expedition, the dinosaurs and the brontosaurus, the adventure, the tribesman, taking the photos, the tribesman's help, the pursuit and the killing of the dinosaur, Baby, their losing Baby, rescuing her, the final fight? Eric and his control of the expedition? Tricks? The fight and mayhem? The contemporary comment about men and women and their respective careers?

6. Eric and the carnival, the initial murder? His playing down Susan's discoveries? Using them? Nigel and his mincing manner? Their working together? Eric's hold over Nigel? Using the military, the expedition, the killing of the dinosaur, stealing the baby, floating the mammoth down the river, hoping to fly it back to cities, the final mayhem? Nigel and the spoof of his character?

7. Africa, the armies and their cruelty, violence, the killing of animals ? and the comment on 'civilisation' affecting Africa? The contrast with the tribesmen and their way of life?

8. The dinosaurs, the possibility in the African jungle ? Baby and its emotions ? the special effects, the 'humanising' of the animal?

9. Conservation themes, nature, destruction? Human cruelty?

10. An enjoyable tale, contemporary social points? Local colour and detail?