We’re getting nostalgic today as we look back at the 1988 animation classic the Land Before Time. A childhood favourite for us—and many others.

The Land Before Time

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas executive produced the film. This coming on from the success of Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment hit An American Tail.

Perhaps his latest film was as prep for Jurassic Park? Eh? Regardless, although it’s a children’s film it holds a special place in many wee one’s hearts. Mr. Wapojif first saw it in the early 1990s and, gee whizz, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yes, although the film is effectively our generation’s Bambi (unless, of course, you watched Bambi as part of your generation).

That’s the thing with animation, it’s kind of difficult to lump it into a “generation” as it’s animation and borderline generation less. Or is it?

Whatever, the plot follows Littlefoot who is orphaned (one of those real gut wrenching film moments which sticks with you for life) and flees a famine.

On his way, he makes friends with other children dinosaurs, such as Cera (a belligerent triceratops), Ducky (a duck like creature), Petrie (a petri dish), and Spike (the group’s resident imbecile).

This lot are pestered throughout the narrative by a rampaging T. Rex (unimaginatively called Sharptooth), but the film more generally busies itself exploring themes of prejudice and hardship in a sentimental, genuinely enjoyable way.

Since it’s now on the UK’s Netflix, Mr. Wapojif was able to watch it again for the first time in 20 years and recall elements of the film he did, and didn’t, remember.

As the film was released on November 18th 1988, it seems fitting to cover it again… as it’s almost the 18th November.

Check your dates, weirdo. Besides which it’s a lovely little film, and everyone needs lovely stuff.

Sequels

As the film was a hit, it spawned around various sequels. 13 in total. Yes, 13 of them—plus, a TV series.

The last film was in 2007—The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends. We’re presuming this has more to do with Ross Gellar or Chandler Bing’s wisdom, as Joey and Phoebe aren’t the smartest friends out there. You know?

Anyway, if you want to relive the memory of however old you were back in 1988, take a gander at the trailer and go, “1988! Back in my day, we used to have proper…” and continue with your anachronistic diatribe on the reasons stuff was better in “your day”.