Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
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.
The Land Before Time is a genuinely distinctive animated film elevated by Don Bluth's emotionally raw storytelling and willingness to depict grief and loss in ways rarely seen in children's animation of its era. The death of Littlefoot's mother remains one of the most affecting sequences in animated film history, giving it strong Novelty for its tone and emotional courage. The plot is a fairly archetypal journey narrative but executed with sincerity and pacing that works well for its audience. Voice performances are warm and earnest. Cinematography features some beautifully composed wide shots of prehistoric landscapes with dramatic lighting, though the overall visual palette is somewhat muted. The ending is emotionally satisfying but conventional — arrival at the promised land — keeping it at an above-average rather than exceptional level.