|
The Land Before Time
|
(c) 1988
<-- BUY THE VIDEO --> 
"The Land Before Time" trailer (45Kbps Stream)
(Non-streamlined version Real Video - 516K)
"If we hold on together", performed by Diana Ross (PLAYS IMMEDIATELY)
(Non-streamlined version - Real Audio 456K)
The Land Before Time was the second production supported by Steven Spielberg's Amblim Entertainment, and this time included production support from George Lucas. The film was released on 18 November 1988 against Disney's Oliver and Company.
The film begins with a narrator describing the world of the dinosaurs while images play (beginning with small sea creatures) of the develpment of the dinosaurs up to just before the era of their extinction where the story is set. Littlefoot is introduced as a baby dinosaur hatching from an egg, and then is featured with his family, vegetarians who must ever be aware of the carniverous "sharp tooths".
By the time Littlefoot grows up a little, it's becomes apparent to the dinosaurs that their food is no longer growing, and soon they will starve, unless they venture to an area known as The Great Valley, a place Littlefoot's mother only "believes with a heart" to exist. Its a place where food still grows in plenty, and there is always water to drink.
Littlefoot's family is one day attacked by a Tyrannasaurus Rex, and there is a long battle, ending with the hunter being pushed into a chasm by Littlefoot's mother. After the battle it begins to rain and Littlefoot looks for and finds his mother dying. She asks him if he knows the way to the Great Valley. Littlefoot replies that he does, but he doesn't need to know because she'll be taking them there. She tells him that she'll be with him, and to listen to his heart, then dies.
Littlefoot then sets out to find the Great Valley alone...
The Land Before Time wasn't greeted with the same critical enthusiasm as An American Tail. Although the general artistry of the film was not in doubt, the films story, and especially its theme of the child character getting lost, and then being found at the end from An American Tail (and for that matter "Banjo the Woodpile Cat") being repeated in this film were the parts reviewers had problems with. There was some disappointment at the production being 'the best Bluth & co, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas could come up with'. The film was not a favourite with the Bluth group either. Gary Goldman remarked on the fact that the film had alterations made to it (10 minutes were cut) to direct it to a four to six year old audience wich took away some of the exciting elements of the film.
The film was the last made through Amblin. A third film to be backed by Amblin was never made, but Don Bluth productions continued through a new backer, Goldcrest International, through which Bluth's next film, All Dogs go to Heaven would be released.
This film has always been a favourite with my two nieces since they were old enough to watch it. I think the films childishness, and lack of a "way into" it for adults alienates the people who would get the job of reviewing it, and giving a critical judgement on it, and who's words would ultimately describe it in the books of animation history - but in the end, its entertainment value is there for the very young, as was generally intended all along.
In that respect at least, the film succeeds well.
|
This page was created Friday 15 May 1998
