The Land Before Time
1988 · Directed by Don Bluth
Original language: English
- family
- animation
- adventure
- drama
The story
An orphaned brontosaurus named Littlefoot sets off in search of the legendary Great Valley. A land of lush vegetation where the dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. Along the way he meets four other young dinosaurs, each one a different species, and they encounter several obstacles as they learn to work together in order to survive.
What it’s like
Hand-drawn 2D animation with soft pastel washes and warm golden sunsets over sweeping prehistoric valleys, the colours saturated in the way of a painted storybook. Long wide shots of canyons, misty swamps and volcanic plains give the film a sense of scale, while the close-ups on the young dinosaurs' big eyes keep it intimate. John Williams' lush orchestral score swells over the landscapes and drops to quiet strings during the sadder beats, and the film's dinosaur sounds are soft and musical rather than roaring. The vibe is wistful and tender, with a childlike sense of wonder that edges into real grief. Its pacing is brisk and episodic, with each obstacle, from a sudden earthquake to a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex, arriving quickly and resolving before the mood settles. Intensity is moderate: a parent's death opens the film, and there are scenes of peril, chases and a frightening predator, but the violence is brief, bloodless and never gory. Emotionally it follows a group of lonely young outsiders learning to trust one another and to become a family. It suits a rainy afternoon with children, a comfort rewatch, or a tender watch for anyone who wants nostalgic animation with real feeling.
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