The Land before Time (1988) by Don Bluth

Here on the SevenPonds blog, we’ve reviewed many healing films and suggested many more (you can check out a full list of our suggestions on our Multimedia page). Many of our films, however, are aimed towards adults. What about children, who have a different understanding of death and, often, a very different way of grieving?

With this in mind, I wanted to discuss an animated film that children have loved for many years— a sweet movie that deals with the loss of a parent and a healing journey, through the fantastic setting of a prehistoric, talking-dinosaurs world. And it’s one of my absolute childhood favorites.

Note: There are something like 12 or 13 sequels to The Land before Time. This author has only seen #2, and cannot speak to the quality of any of the other straight-to-videos in the series. Though I’m guessing #1 is by far the best.

The story is premised around young “long-neck” Littlefoot and his search for the Great Valley, a fabled place where the dinosaurs will never run out of food to eat. Littlefoot begins his journey with his mother and two grandparents. But early on in the film, he and his triceratops friend Cera (perhaps frenemy is a better word) encounter the dangerous Tyrannosaurus, Sharptooth, and Littlefoot’s mother is mortally injured defending them from the beast. Then, a great earthquake splits the land and Littlefoot is separated from his grandparents.

The scene where Littlefoot’s mother dies is heartbreaking. After her fight with Sharptooth, she lies across a rocky plateau. Littlefoot pleads with her to get up; she tries, but falls again. “Littlefoot—do you remember the way to the Great Valley?” she asks. “I guess so,” he sniffs, “but why do I have to know? You’re going to be with me!” “I’ll be with you. Even if you can’t see me.” (I didn’t want to embed a video of this scene because it’s simply too sad. But feel free to watch it here.)

Photo credit: Fanpop.

As a very young child, I didn’t quite understand what she meant. In fact, Littlefoot later believes he sees his mother—in the clouds, in the shadows. My 4-year-old self believed along with Littlefoot that his mother was still, somehow alive and following him on his journey. Later, I learned this was meant in the spiritual, emotional sense. Littlefoot’s mother, though gone from the physical world, follows him on his journey by staying in his heart and mind.

Littlefoot doesn’t realize this at first. Shortly after his mother’s death, he spies his own long shadow against a distant rock, and, thinking it’s his mother, happily runs towards it. Reaching the rock, he begins to give it kisses—then realizes there’s nothing there. The moment is small compared to the dramatic death scene, but in it we see him finally begin to accept that his mother isn’t coming back.

Photo credit: Wikia.

“At first, Littlefoot could only think about his mother,” the narrator tells us. “He hardly noticed his hunger and he forgot about the Great Valley and that he must somehow reach it.” After a few days of laying about in a fog, Littlefoot gathers his resolve, meets a few young interspecies friends who have also been separated from their families (the “three-horn” Cera, the “flyer” Petri, the “duckbill” Ducky, and big, silent Spike), and sets off in search of the Great Valley. Littlefoot carries with him always a precious “tree-star” that his mother had given him to help him find the place where such things were abundant.

Littlefoot and his friends face many trials and tribulations as they attempt to find the Valley. They lose the tree-star; they deal with internal dissension (hotheaded Cera leaves the group to make it on her own); and they must come face to face with the very beast that took Littlefoot’s mother away, the dreaded Sharptooth. But throughout the journey, Littlefoot’s mother stays in his heart, guiding him at crucial moments towards his destination, and encouraging him to never give up.

Through his mother’s strength, Littlefoot becomes a steadfast leader of the little group, making the decisions that ultimately lead them to the Great Valley. The triumph of this moment is a kind of redemption of his mother’s love—even though she is gone, Littlefoot was able to complete the journey she set out on, and she was able to protect him and see him to safety.

Sad as the film can be, it is ultimately an uplifting tale of love, friendship, and determination. Don Bluth (who also directed An American Tail and Anastasia) created a classic children’s tale, aided by the gorgeous music of James Horner (who also composed scores for Titanic and A Beautiful Mind). Check out one of the opening scenes here:

Related articles

• The ‘Bambi’s Mom’ Moment: When Pop Culture Taught Us About Death (theatlanticwire.com)
• Book Review: “Acorn Full of Memories” by Audrey Penn – The children’s book helps adults speak to children coping with loss. (sevenponds.com)