IMDb > The Land Before Time (1988)
The Land Before Time
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Land Before Time (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
The Land Before Time (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   12,437 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Don Bluth
Writers:
Judy Freudberg (story) &
Tony Geiss (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Land Before Time on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 November 1988 (USA) more
Tagline:
The adventure that started it all! more
Plot:
Four orphan dinosaurs travel the ruins of their world, while grieving the loss of their families and banding together to face the odds of survival. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Train Dragon teaser
 (From JoBlo. 14 September 2009, 7:43 PM, PDT)

“Avatar” Hit By Viral Video
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 31 August 2009, 3:09 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
The most beautiful dinosaur movie ever to appear on the big screen more (98 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Judith Barsi ... Ducky (voice)

Burke Byrnes ... Daddy Topps (voice)

Gabriel Damon ... Littlefoot (voice)

Bill Erwin ... Grandfather (voice)
Pat Hingle ... Narrator / Rooter (voice)
Candace Hutson ... Cera (voice) (as Candy Hutson)
Will Ryan ... Petrie (voice)

Helen Shaver ... Littlefoot's Mother (voice)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
69 min
Country:
USA | Ireland
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
An astounding 12 sequels have been made, as well eight games, two sing-a-long videos and a TV series. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Littlefoot's, Cera's and Spike's eye color changes from its normal color throughout various scenes during the movie then back again to its original color at least once each. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: Once upon this same earth, beneath this same sun, before you, before the ape and the elephant, before the wolf, the bison and the whale, before the mammoth and the mastodon, in the time of the dinosaurs. The dinosaurs were of two kinds. Some had flat teeth...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Baghead (2008) more
Soundtrack:
If We Hold On Together more

FAQ

Is it true that the story is actually about the childrens journey through Purgatory and into Heaven (while being guided by the prayers of Littlefoot's mother)?
more
29 out of 31 people found the following comment useful.
The most beautiful dinosaur movie ever to appear on the big screen, 29 October 1999
10/10
Author: Jenny Hancock (cyber_bat@hotmail.com) from Australia

I saw this movie when I was 8 (I am now 18) and I loved it. It is one of the few movies I see which have great sentimental value to me and unlike most other children's movies can be watched on two different levels. When the children see it they will watch a movie about how 5 baby dinosaurs find their way to the great valley, while older people will view it as a movie based around how an abandoned orphaned child copes with the loss of his mother. The symbolism is great for example the dark rainy scene, but I have always cried when I see it.

For once A GIRL is seen as the the 'strong' character, Cera the triCERAtops (why does she only have one horn?) is headstrong and prevents female sterotyping. I think most people who can see movies with an open mind (hey it IS a kids movie so don't expect it to appeal to adults) will love this movie. Incedently my favourite character was Littlefoot, his birth was absolutly wonderful and unlike the other characters he actually looks like he has grown.

Unfortunaly due to space I cannot go into detail about the brilliant design of the backgrounds, characters and music but if on a rainy day you have nothing to see go and see this. The LAND BEFORE TIME was made by Don Bluth.

Unfortunaly none of the other follow on moives BASED on the 5 characters was ever is good as this one they are just too childish.

I love this movie 10 stars....

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (98 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Land Before Time (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I don't think this movie is about race relations at all avalenkov
They don't make em like this anymore Trikeboy2
Am I the only one that wanted to club Cera when I was little? guitarwaytoheaven-1
Lion King ripped off this movie (spoilers obv) clamsender
I 'met' Little Foot and Cera once ^^, Arwen_Aftenstjerne
Littlefoot's Mother? belinator52
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story Ice Age: The Meltdown Meet the Robinsons The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Adventure section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.