Dieter Viggo Stark, portrayed by Peter Stormare, is a prominent antagonist in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the second film in the Jurassic Park franchise. A hunter of Swedish origin, Stark's professional mercenary status is evident in his demeanor and actions.
Background and Role
Dieter Stark was a member of the InGen hunting team led by Roland Tembo, tasked with capturing dinosaurs on Isla Sorna (Site B) and transporting them to a facility in San Diego. Peter Ludlow, John Hammond's nephew, envisioned using these captured dinosaurs to create a new Jurassic Park in San Diego, a vision Stark was hired to help realize. He was appointed as second in command of Roland Tembo.
Character Traits and Relationships
Stark carries himself with a professional air, even going so far as to offer assistance to those who had previously sabotaged his efforts. However, he harbors a degree of apathy and antagonism towards the dinosaurs themselves.
Despite being Tembo's second-in-command, their relationship is strained. Tembo expresses a lack of trust in Stark after the incident at the encampment, implying past failures. Dieter is also very anti-social to his comrades as well, and does not respect Roland Tembo very much, causing both to dislike each other.
Key Moments and Actions
Encounter with Compsognathus
In his introductory scene, Dieter encounters a Compsognathus and uses a telescopic shock prod to scare it away. This scene foreshadows his eventual demise at the hands of a pack of these small carnivores. The dialogue between Dieter and paleontologist Robert Burke during this encounter mirrors a scene from Michael Crichton's novel The Lost World, where Eddie Carr and Ian Malcolm discuss the Compsognathus.
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Sabotage and Encampment Destruction
Stark was assigned to guard the hunter's encampment. However, Nick Van Owen and Sarah Harding infiltrated the camp and released the captured dinosaurs. The ensuing chaos resulted in the destruction of equipment and undermined the hunting operation. Tembo angrily blames Dieter for the failure to secure the area, leading to a heated exchange.
Confrontation with Nick Van Owen
Following the destruction of the camp, Stark confronts Nick Van Owen, holding him responsible for the sabotage. This leads to a physical altercation, highlighting the tension and animosity within the group.
Demise
While the team rests, Dieter ventures into the jungle to relieve himself. Becoming disoriented, he stumbles upon a Compsognathus. After failing to kill it, he falls down a slope and finds himself surrounded by a pack of these small dinosaurs. The Compsognathus swarm and attack him, inflicting numerous bites.
Despite his attempts to fight them off by throwing rocks and splashing water, the Compsognathus overwhelm him. Dieter trips and falls into a stream, where the pack continues its assault. Eventually, the Compsognathus knock him down, and the pack feasts on him, turning the water red with his blood.
Roland Tembo later discovers Dieter's remains, confirming his grim fate.
Read also: Ernst Dieter Beck: A deep dive into his crimes
Equipment
Stark's primary weapon was a Heckler & Koch HK 91, equipped with a telescopic sight and entry light. He also carried a collapsible telescopic shock prod as a backup. However, he lost both items after falling down a slope while lost in the jungle.
Parallels and Inspirations
It has been suggested that the character of Dieter Stark may be based on Howard King from Michael Crichton's novel, The Lost World.
Cultural Impact
The action figure based on Stark from The Lost World: Jurassic Park toyline served as the basis for the human hunter player model in the PlayStation/Saturn game, The Lost World.
Quotes
- "It gives me the creeps, like it's not scared." (Regarding the Compsognathus)
- "Now it does." (After shocking the Compsognathus)
- "Hey Carter! Where are ya? Hey Carter! I got turned around in here. Hey Carter! Let me hear from ya!" (While lost and being attacked)
Read also: Espionage and betrayal: The Dieter Gerhardt case.