Journey to the Beginning of Time (, literally "Journey into prehistory") is a 1955 Czechoslovak science fiction adventure directed by Karel Zeman, produced in colour using a combination of 2-D and 3-D models. It was the first of Zeman's productions to include actors in conjunction with stop-motion and special effects. It won awards at the International Film Festivals of Venice and Mannheim. In 1966, Cesta do pravěku was dubbed into English, creating a modified US version, Journey to the Beginning of Time.

Plot

The story involves four teenagers: Petr, the main narrator (Josef Lukáš); Toník, who also narrates (Petr Herrmann); Jenda (Zdeněk Husták); and Jirka (Vladimír Bejval). The teens want to find a living trilobite. During a break from school, they undertake a journey in a rowing boat on a "river of time" that flows through a mysterious cave, emerging on a strange, primeval landscape. As they make their way upstream, they realize that they are travelling progressively farther back in time. On their journey, the boys face various perils and learn about prehistoric life.