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"Hey, what's going on here?"

— Rooter's introduction

Rooter, voiced by the late Pat Hingle, is one of the minor characters in The Land Before Time film series. He is referred to merely as a "mole-like" dinosaur in The Animated Films of Don Bluth,[2] and is referred to as a nonspecific "spiked, turtle-like dino" in the film's script,[1] but upon further inspection, bears resemblance to contemporary depictions of Scolosaurus. He has only appeared in one scene, though he is viewed by many as one of the more powerful characters from the film.

Character[]

Role in the series[]

After Littlefoot's mother's death, he met Rooter, who cantankerously admonished him for crying. When Rooter had learned of the true reason for Littlefoot's tears - that being his mother's death - he softened toward Littlefoot and advised him that no one is to blame for his mother's death, and that not everyone arrives together in the end of the great circle of life. When Littlefoot asked for further advice, because of missing his mother so much, Rooter replied that while he will always miss her, she'll still be with him in spirit as long as he always remembers everything she taught him (mainly to follow his heart). When Littlefoot complained of a stomachache, Rooter said it will also pass eventually. He then departed, leaving Littlefoot behind

Although it was Rooter's only appearance, Bron would later remember somebody telling him of what happened to Littlefoot's mother. Some believe the dinosaur he mentioned to be Rooter.

Personality[]

Rooter can be gruff when disturbed, but simultaneously, he is very sympathetic, indicated by the way he consoles Littlefoot over the loss of his mother. His words about the "circle of life" also imply that he is spiritually enlightened.

Concept and creation[]

Rooter was added to the film to soften, at the suggestion of psychologists, the emotional blow from the intensely frightening Sharptooth attack and the scene depicting the death of Littlefoot's mother.[2]

Gallery[]


Trivia[]

  • Rooter's voice actor was also the narrator of the first film, Pat Hingle. Because of this, it can be implied that Rooter himself is the narrator.
  • In The Land Before Time: The Illustrated Story, he is referred to as an old turtle.
  • Also in this book, Rooter is seen without the tan parts on his head, and his spikes and horn are blunter.
  • In the original film, Rooter is animated by Gary J. Percovac along with character key assistant, Rusty Stoll.
  • In the second film, Littlefoot references Rooter's teaching when consoling Ducky about her supposedly dead sibling by saying it was all part of the "circle of life".
  • Some people believe that the Narrator of the movie was Rooter himself since they were played by the same voice actor, this is unconfirmed but highly possible.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Land Before Time May 11, 1987 script excerpt:
    "Thunderfoot trudges down a steep sand hill crying his heart out. He stumbles and then tumbles to the bottom of the hill, finally landing on a large, strange, spiked rock. Our little Dino is mad at himself and the whole world. He kicks a small rock, which bounces off of one of the spikes and hits him in the head. This really makes him angry and he stamps his feet on the rock in frustration. Suddenly the rock lifts up and becomes a very old spiked, turtle-like Dino, named "Rooter"."
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Animated Films of Don Bluth
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