Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- Gabriel DamonLittlefoot (voice)
- Candace HutsonCera (voice)
- Will RyanPetrie (voice)
- Judith BarsiDucky (voice)
- Helen ShaverLittlefoot's Mother (voice)
- Pat HingleNarrator / Rooter (voice)
- Bill ErwinGrandfather (voice)
- Burke ByrnesDaddy Topps (voice)
- Frank WelkerSharptooth (voice) (uncredited)
- 88
Boston Globe
From its opening evolution sequence of squiggly things in the water through its references to the great circle of life, The Land Before Time embraces a larger perspective than merely that of the adventure story. It's an affecting work, and a work of quality. [18 Nov 1988, p.29] - 88
Chicago Tribune
It is, in the best Disney tradition, a story of childhood's end, of leaving the family and accepting adult responsibilities. Bluth relates it through a smooth counterpoint of humor, sadness and horror. - 75
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. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
Bluth, a former Disney animator, understands that the greatest Disney films take us on an emotional journey in which all our hopes and fears are played out in a vivid fantasy world where anything can happen. The Land Before Time continues that great tradition. - 75
Christian Science Monitor
It's a beautiful movie to watch, and the cartoony characters are as endearing as they come. - 75
Miami Herald
It's the kind of movie that parents and children ought to see together, then talk about afterward, though the lessons are ones that grown-ups need to master, as well. [18 Nov 1988, p.D1] - 70
The New York Times
The Land Before Time isn't heavily plotted; it doesn't do much more than concentrate on the amusingly lifelike dynamics among the dinosaur children as they make their journey. Luckily, it isn't very long either. At a just-right length of 73 minutes, it ought to win audiences' hearts without wearing out their patience. - 70
Washington Post
Though it's not a great film, it is an entertaining and, at times, emotionally rich one.