The Land Before Time (1988)
-
72% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(317,892 ratings)
Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot, a brontosaurus child, must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other… More Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot, a brontosaurus child, must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other orphaned dinosaurs, Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley, where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way, the kiddie dinos learn several vital (and politically correct) life lessons, all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters (emphasized by the voice work) takes some of the harsh edges off the story, which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time-frame of the film, which is set in the turbulent, nature-run-rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die, inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby-Spears, Dink: The Little Dinosaur. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Don Bluth
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy
G,
- In Theaters
- Nov 18, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 30, 1997
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
-
Damon Wise, Time Out
After An American Tale, Bluth surely had the clout to make a more adventurous animated feature than this ...
-
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Most of ''The Land Before Time'' is so authentically geared to the thinking of children that it should charm adults as well.
-
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
There is nothing about either the story or its execution to place "The Land Before Time" alongside the classics, but then again, the age of animated masterpieces may be forever past.
-
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I guess I sort of liked the film, although I wonder why it couldn't have spent more time on natural history and the sense of discovery, and less time on tragedy.
-
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Baby dinosaur buddy flick that started the series.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Gabriel Damon
as Littlefoot
-
Candy Hutson
as Cera
-
Judith Barsi
as Ducky
-
Will Ryan
as Petrie
-
Bill Erwin
as Grandfather
-
Helen Shaver
as Littlefoot's Mother
-
Pat Hingle
as Narrator, Rooter
-
Burke Barnes
as Daddy Topps
- Fred Gwynne
- Candace Hutson
