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IMDbPro

Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special

Original title: The Ballad of Big Al
  • TV Mini Series
  • 20002000
  • 29m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
DocumentaryAnimationAdventure
The first half of this special is a recreation of Al's life, from birth through his death in adolescence.The first half of this special is a recreation of Al's life, from birth through his death in adolescence.The first half of this special is a recreation of Al's life, from birth through his death in adolescence.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
    • Kenneth Branagh
    • Avery Brooks
    • Kenneth Branagh
    • Avery Brooks
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys

    Episodes2

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    2000

    Photos26

    Walking with Dinosaurs (1999)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Kenneth Branagh and Avery Brooks in Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)
    Allosaurus: A Walking with Dinosaurs Special (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kenneth Branagh
    Kenneth Branagh
    • Narrator
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Narrator (US version)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Allosaurus got a complete visual make-over for this special. They look much different from their original appearance in the second episode of Walking with Dinosaurs (1999).
    • Goofs
      The Ornitholestes in this episode produce a different sound than in the original series. The sounds used in this special are actually the high-pitched noises that the Dromaeosaur made. The other dinosaurs retained their original sound effects.
    • Alternate versions
      The American version splices _Big Al Uncovered_ between chapters of _The Ballad of Big Al_ alternatingly, so the effect is that you have a one hour show, instead of two 30 minute shows.
    • Connections
      Featured in Prehistoric: Washington, D.C. (2010)

    User reviews11

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Excellent follow-up
    This sequel of sorts does the original series proud, with Kenneth Branagh as narrator. As with _Walking With Dinosaurs (1999) (TV)_, the dinos are mostly CGI, with the use of puppetry for close ups.

    The advancement of Tim Haines' skill is obvious, with freer moving cameras, highlighted by Al's Fifth Year, in which a pack of allosaurs break up a diplodicus herd to get at a sick member. It's truly exciting, with a rousing score by Ben Bartlett, and excellent motion camerawork.

    The discovery of Big Al, the "star" of the show, in 1999 couldn't have come at a better time, coinciding with the debut of _Walking With Dinosaurs (1999) (TV)_ in the U.K. - a follow-up was an obvious choice, especially since Allosaurs made their presence felt in the chapter "Time of the Titans" as well as "Spirits of the Ice Forest". This also gave viewers a chance to see more of Brachiosaurus, which only made a brief cameo in the original series, as well as some dinos not seen, like Apatosaurus.

    Later in 2001 will see the debut of Walking with Prehistoric Creatures, and with the high video and aural quality of the Allosaurus special, it's warmly welcomed.

    The DVD features an excellent documentary on the discovery of Big Al, and at a retail price of $19.99, getting both Allosaurus and the documentary is a real steal.
    helpful•6
    0
    • Jonah14
    • May 13, 2001

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 25, 2000 (United Kingdom)
      • United Kingdom
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • BBC Natural History Unit (NHU)
      • BS Asahi
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 29 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo

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