In search of the Enchanted Valley - the 1988 animated film

In search of the Enchanted Valley ( "The Land Before Time"In the American original) is an American animated adventure film from Universal Pictures, which stars dinosaurs. This is the first film in the series In search of the Enchanted Valley made in 1988, directed by Don Bluth and produced by Don Bluth himself, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. 

Later, due to the enormous success, 13 more sequel films were made, a TV series, video games, soundtracks and lots of merchandising. All 14 films were released for home video on DVD.

The story of In search of the Enchanted Valley

During the Cretaceous Era, a massive famine forces several herds of dinosaurs to seek out an oasis known as the Enchanted Valley. Among them, a mother in a small herd of "long-necked" dinosaurs gives birth to a single small dinosaur, which they call Little Foot. Years later, Piedino meets Tricky, a "three horned" Triceratops, who is prevented from playing with Piedino, by her father, because the "three horns" must not play with long necks. Little Foot asks his mother why he can't play with Tricky and his mother explains that dinosaurs can only befriend those of their own species. The same night, Little Foot is attracted to a frog that jumps and follows her, so he casually meets Tricky again.

The "Sharp Teeth" Tyrannosaurus arrives

The two play carefree until a huge one arrives Tyrannosaurus with "sharp teeth" that attacks them in search of eating them. To their aid comes the mother of Desperate Foot, who however suffers fatal wounds. Suddenly a violent earthquake plunges the "Sharp Teeth" Tyrannosaurus into a crevasse and divides Piedino from Tricky. The earthquake causes destruction among the dinosaur herd and unfortunately the mother of Piedino is also struck, who loses her life not before telling him how to find the Enchanted Valley.

Foot towards the Enchanted Valley

Sad and grieved, Rooter consoled foot, an old "Scolosaurus". Piedino is accompanied by the memories of his mother, who, like a guiding spirit, shows him the way to get to the "shining circle" beyond the "rock that looks like a long-necked dinosaur" and then beyond the "burning mountain" to the Enchanted Valley.

Foot meets Ducky and Petrie

Subsequently, Piedino meets a "saurolofo" puppy called Ducky and a young "Pteranodon" who cannot fly named Petrie, who accompany him on his journey. Tricky, meanwhile, wants to join the group of dinosaurs of his kind, and wanders among the cliffs. Here he meets the unconscious tyrannosaurus "Sharp Teeth", who suddenly awakens. Tricky manages to escape and in the breathtaking race runs into Little Foot, Ducky and Petrie, to whom she explains the imminent danger. 

Spike the Stegosaurus arrives

Later one will also join their group " Stegosaurus”Named Spike. On their way in search of the Enchanted Valley, they discover a group of trees, which is suddenly razed to the ground by the passage of a herd of  diplodocus. The baby dinosaurs are hungry and luckily, they manage to find the leaves of a surviving tree. Since the leaves are on the top, the little lizards have to climb on top of each other and pull the branches down. Tricky is always convinced that she doesn't have to socialize with dinosaurs other than her species, so she stays on the sidelines, but during the night the whole group gets courage and warmth around Little Foot.

The return of the Tyrannosaurus

The next morning, they are attacked by the "Sharp Teeth" Tyrannosaurus, but they manage to escape by slipping into a tunnel, with an entrance too small for the giant predator. Piedino recognizes the places described by his mother and understands that he is on the right path to the enchanted valley. 

Tricky leaves the group

Tricky doesn't believe him and stubbornly decides to take another path, but Little Foot, tired of Tricky's stubbornness, thwarts it and a hard fight ensues between the two. Eventually the group decides to follow Tricky and so Little Foot, heads alone to the Enchanted Valley. However, when Ducky and Spike are endangered by the lava and Petrie gets stuck in a tar pit, Little Foot quickly rushes to their aid. 

Tricky in danger

Tricky is ambushed by a pack of "Pachycephalosaurs", who also live in the Burning Mountains. The rest of the group comes to his aid, unrecognizable, because they are covered with black tar, scaring the predators and even Tricky. When she realizes that they are the group of Little Foot and companions, Tricky abandons them again with anger and contempt. Later she will regret her gesture and will understand that due to her selfishness, she has endangered the lives of her companions and herself.

The fight in the pond

Along the way Petrie senses the presence of Sharp Teeth and the group devises a plan to lure him into the pond and drown him in the deep side using a nearby boulder. during the fight, a violent blast of air from the Tyrannosaurus' nostrils sends the Petrie pterodactyl flying for the first time.

The plan fails as the Tyrannosaurus leaps over the boulder as the group attempts to push it towards him. Finally, Tricky comes to their aid and pushes the boulder into the deep water, together with Sharp Teeth.  

The puppies find their families

Little Foot continues to follow the guiding spirit of his mother to the Enchanted Valley, together with his friends. Upon arrival, the five are reunited with their families: Petrie proudly shows his family his ability to fly, Ducky introduces Spike to his family, who adopt him, Tricky meets with his father, and Little Foot reunites with his grandparents. . The group then rejoins and hugs on top of a hill.

Technical data

Original title The Land Before Time
Country USA, Ireland
Year 1988
Duration 69 min
Gender animation, adventure, dramatic, historical
Regia Don Bluth
Subject Judy Freudberg, Tony Geiss
Film script Stu Krieger
Producer Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy
Executive producer Steven Spielberg, George Lucas
Production house Sullivan Bluth Studios, Amblin Entertainment, Lucasfilm
Music James Horner
Storyboard Don Bluth, Larry Leker, Dan Kuenster
Art director Don Bluth
Animators John Pomeroy, Dan Kuenster, Linda Miller, Lorna Pomeroy, Ralph Zondag, Dick Zondag
Don Moore Wallpapers

Original voice actors and characters

Gabriel Damon: Foot
Judith Barsi: Ducky
Candace Hutson: Tricky
Will Ryan: Petrie
Helen Shaver: Piedino's mother
Burke Byrnes: Topps
Bill Erwin: grandpa
Pat Hingle: Roter

Italian voice actors

Rossella Acerbo: Foot
Federica De Bortoli: Ducky
Monica Vulcano: Tricky
Marco Destinations: Petrie
Maria Pia DiMeo: Piedino's mother
Luciano De Ambrosis: Topps
Sandro Sardone: Roter