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The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving

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The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving is an award-winning 1995 direct-to-video animated film directed by Roy Allen Smith, and the third installment in the Land Before Time film series. The plot of the movie focuses on Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike dealing with three bullying adolescent dinosaurs, while the entire community of the Great Valley struggles to overcome a drought which has been brought on by a fallen meteorite, blocking the water in the Thundering Falls.

The movie was among the Land Before Time films most well received by the public (though not as much by fans) and was subsequently re-issued several times since its first video release, along with being featured on several television channels for many years.

Voice Actors

Uncredited

Plot

Littlefoot and his friends are constantly being bullied and browbeaten by three adolescents - Hyp, a Hypsilophodon; Nod, a Panoplosaurus; and Mutt, a Muttaburrasaurus. Meanwhile, a shower of meteorites impacts near the Great Valley and causes a number of rock slides. Later that day, The Thundering Falls, the main water supply of the Great Valley, stops flowing. The lack of water causes conflicts between the inhabitants of the Great Valley. To bring an end to this problem, Littlefoot and the others set out to find water, unaware that Hyp and his cohorts are following them. When the gang find a small lake, the adolescents emerge and claim it for themselves, demanding that Littlefoot and the others keep silent about their discovery. Unwilling to comply, Littlefoot and the others flee from the bullies; during which they wander into the Mysterious Beyond and find out a rock slide that must've been caused by the flying rocks caused the Thundering Falls to stop flowing.

Before they can return and inform the residents of the valley, a lightning strike ignites a wildfire that spreads rapidly through the dried Valley. The dinosaurs barely make it to safety at the edge of the Mysterious Beyond while the fire ravages their home. When the protagonists tell the others of their discovery, disunity about what to do prevents the adult dinosaurs from taking any steps towards solving the problem. Hyp, Mutt, and Nod set out into the Mysterious Beyond on their own, in hopes of getting to the water first, and keeping it for themselves.

Anticipating the danger to which Hyp and his cohorts have exposed themselves, and recognizing commonality with them, Littlefoot and the others follow them, in order to help if necessary. As they arrive, Hyp becomes trapped in a tar pit he mistook to be a pool of water. Littlefoot and the others pull him out of the tar by combined effort. Soon afterwards, the adult dinosaurs appear in search of the kids, and are brought together by the understanding that it was the unity of their children that helped them to find water. It is implied during the discussion thereof that Hyp's own experience of harsh treatment by his father is the cause of his harsh treatment towards others.

Before they are able to take further steps, the herd is attacked by a pack of Velociraptor. During the battle between the herd and the attackers, Littlefoot and Hyp's gangs join sides, and manage by chance to clear the blockage of rocks stopping the flow of water into the valley. They then watch as the water flow washes the Sharpteeth away. The herbivores return to the Valley, which now has enough water for them, although the fire has destroyed most of the plants on which they feed. Working together, the dinosaurs survive the time until the plants start to grow again by feeding on the last remains of the plants, moving from one verdant area to another and sharing everything they find; a behavior which leads them to label this time "The Time of the Great Giving".

Reception

Analysis

Rod Gustafson of Parent Previews.com said that the back cover of the video for The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving gave the impression that the movie was out to teach a lesson to both children and parents, about cooperation. He also said that the movie seemed to put too much pressure on this point, and that the portrayal of the kids having the solutions to the crisis, though hardly a unique plotline, could reinforce children that it is useless to seek an adult's help in a dire situation. However, Gustafson finally stated that the movie was a good children's film overall, and could stimulate good family conversations over the morals of teamwork.[1] Richard Scheib of the Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review Database (www.moria.co.nz) said that the movie, while obviously set for children of a preschooling age, could teach a good lesson to children about the importance of sharing. He said that it also teaches about the effects of bullying and how it can be dealt with, as well as warning parents not to bully their children with authority. Although he described the songs as "banal", Scheib considered the characters to be well-developed and enjoyed the scenes involving the fight against the Velociraptor pack. He finally stated that he thought the third Land Before Time movie was arguably better than the original.[2] Steve Rhodes, a frequent critic on the Land Before Time movies, said in his review on the film that, like The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure, it was formulaic. He further stated that the plot did not have much action, but just typical environmentalistic themes alongside the challenges of childhood when teenage tough guys and younger children collide with each other. Rhodes concluded that the film was a moderate choice for children's viewing, but for the whole family he would recommend the original movie.[3]

Ratings

The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving, like many of its fellow sequels, received a 60% at Rotten Tomatoes.com, together with two reviews labelling the movie "rotten" and three labelling it "fresh".[4] The movie has a current rating of 5.7/10 stars at IMDB.com, based on 1,461 votes.[5]

Awards/Nominations

In 1998 the film won its nomination for an Annie Award for Best Home Video Production.[6] It also received a nomination that same year for a Saturn Award, for Best Genre Video Release, but lost the award to the TV mini-series V: The Final Battle, from Blatt-Singer Productions.[7]

Cultural Influence

Original TLBT3 video cover

The original video cover for The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving that was sold in the US, featuring the main characters looking on in horror as Hyp sinks in the tar, while his cronies Mutt and Nod stand helpless overhead.

The-Land-Before-Time-III-The-Time-of-the-Great-Giving

Another version of the video cover sold in the UK, featuring Littlefoot and his friends finding water, whilst Hyp, Mutt and Nod looked on deviously amongst the rocks.

Merchandise

The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving was originally released to VHS and laserdisc on December 15, 1995; the US VHS also was the only release to have the trailer, edited from the commercial airings, promoting a six month three dollar mail-in rebate with the purchase of this, and any Timmy the Tooth vhs tape.[8] On May 13, 1997, it was released on VHS and laserdisc again; this time in The Land Before Time Collection. One year later, on December 1, it was marketed in its final laserdisc release, as well as another VHS issue, on Universal Family Features. Three years later, on December 4, the movie was released to VHS again. Its first DVD release was on December 10, 2002. Its last VHS release, together with another one on DVD, occurred on December 2, 2003, in the 4 Movie Dino Pack (Volume 1) and 9 Movie Dino Pack. The movie's most recent DVD release was on September 27, 2005, in the 2 Dino-Mite Movies package. In 1995, Universal Studios published a book, simply titled "Land Before Time 3: Time of The Great Giving".[9]

TV Airings

After five months of disappearance on American television since March 2008, the film re-aired on Cartoon Network on September 2, 2008. The film aired on HBO Family for the first time ever on January 1, 2009, the same day the first two ones aired on HBO. Along with The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island, the film also aired on HBO for the first time ever on January 4, 2009, the same day the first two ones aired on HBO Family.

DVD Release

It was released on DVD on September 28, 1999.

United States

Music

Songs

The songs are written by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom.

  1. When You're Big
  2. Standing Tough
  3. Kids Like Us

Soundtrack

Like the previous film, this movie's soundtrack was composed by Michael Tavera, although some of the first movie's music by James Horner is also reused. Interestingly, this film uses nearly all of the music specifically created for the next film. Why this occurred is unknown

(* = Music composed for the fourth film)

  1. Eternity
  2. The Great Migration (reused from the original film)
  3. Hyp and the Gang (slightly rearranged)
  4. Sharptooth and the Earthquake (reused from the original film)
  5. Littlefoot's Idea*
  6. Longneck's Story*
  7. The Rescue & Discovery of the Great Valley (reused from the original film)
  8. Mysterious Journey*
  9. The Cave (reused from the second film)
  10. Ichy and Dill*
  11. Fire
  12. Whispering Winds (Michael Tavera version, reused from the second film)
  13. Land of Mists*
  14. The Attack*
  15. Predator (recreated and rearranged version from the one used in the second film)
  16. Night Flower*

Trivia

  • This movie is the first appearances of Hyp, Nod, Mutt and Mr. Clubtail.
  • Apart from later releases. When released for the first time, this became the only VHS release to have two different versions of the cover. One that was for the US, and another for the UK.
  • This movie marks the first time Daddy Topps has a fight with a Spiketail.
  • The Velociraptor's appearance in the movie may have been influenced by Jurassic Park, which was released to theatres two years prior.
  • Heather Hogan and Scott Menville (Ducky and Nod) would later work together in the 2004 Nintendo GameCube title, Tales of Symphonia. They played the main protagonists Colette and Lloyd respectively.
  • "The Time of the Great Giving" is most likely based off Thanksgiving.
  • In 2024, the final draft of the movie was discovered by fans. While the script is identical to the final movie in most regards, it notably lacks any references to the musical numbers and does not include the scene of the kids trying to wake up Spike.

Goofs

  • There are two instances where Petrie's mother changes color to match her son's--the first is when the adults first begin bickering about wasting water when having their group discussion, the second is when Grandpa Longneck states "Our children don't understand the water problem. The Great Valley has always given them everything they need." after water was accidentally splashed on Daddy Topps's face.
  • Mr. Clubtail doesn't move, unlike the other adults who are backing up near the end of the battle with the pack of Velociraptor.
    • Similarly, the size of the Velociraptor is highly inconsistent, ranging form the size of Daddy Topps' head to being the size of Topps himself.

Character debuts

Memorable Quotes

Daddy Topps: Yelling is no way to teach your child what is right or to show that you care.
Hyp's Father: How would you know?
Daddy Topps: I know because...because I have a daughter and I yell at her too much. Especially when I'm worried for her safety.
Cera: You don't have to worry about me, Daddy.
Daddy Topps: If you always react with anger, that's all your son will know, and that's what he'll express to others.
Petrie: Me no baby! Me big!
Hyp: Yeah, big baby.
Hyp: When you're big, you can do anything you want to do. All the rules that grown-ups make, they don't apply to you.
Ducky: Don't worry, Littlefoot. You are not an influence... whatever that is.
Cera: I don't understand, Daddy.
Daddy Topps: You need friends who know how to behave, especially in times like this.
Cera: Littlefoot is my friend. He'll always be my friend.
Daddy Topps: Cera, I'm your father. I want what's best for you.
Cera: No, you don't! You just don't want me to have any fun!
Daddy Topps: Cera, please. I'm just trying to... to... as a parent I - ooh! (storms off)
Petrie: Me want to play Bullies too! "Hey hatchling! You no eat MY green food!" [Spike spits water at him] Hmph! Me go play Bullies someplace else!
Hyp: There they are and would you look at what they found for us?
Mutt: [laughing] Yeah.
Nod: [laughing] Yeah!
Mutt: What is it?
Hyp: Hi-yah, hatchlings! Say, "Bye bye, water"!
Ducky: Why? Is it going somewhere?
Hyp: No, but YOU are!
Nod: This is our water now.
Mutt: So give it back!
Petrie: Give back? But it already in my tummy.
Ducky: But do you not want to share?
Hyp: We don't share with anybody, do we?
Mutt: Uh, no. Nuh-uh!
Nod: Nobody.
Hyp: So I'm warning you, small fries, if you tell anybody else about this water, you'll be very, very, sorry!
Littlefoot: We're telling and you better not try and stop us.
Daddy Topps: I have a plan.
Mr. Clubtail: I hope it's better than your fire escape plan!
Daddy Topps: [roaring]
Grandma Longneck (to Daddy Topps and Mr. Clubtail): Please, this is no time to argue.
Daddy Topps: At least I had a plan!
Mr. Clubtail: [roaring]
Grandma Longneck (to Daddy Topps and Mr. Clubtail): Stop! You're acting like children.
Petrie: Ha! We no act like that.
Littlefoot: Stop moving Hyp, it'll only make you sink faster!
Ducky: Petrie, you are a flyer, not a swimmer.

Gallery


References

  1. ↑ Rod Gustafson of Parent Previews.com's review of The Time of the Great Giving www.parentpreviews.com Retrieved on April 3rd, 2008.
  2. ↑ Richard Scheib's review of The Time of the Great Giving on the Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review Database www.moria.co.nz Retrieved on April 3rd, 2008.
  3. ↑ Steve Rhodes of Internet Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.com's review of The Time of the Great Giving [1] Retrieved on April 3rd, 2008
  4. ↑ Rotten Tomatoes.com's synopsis for The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving www.rottentomatoes.com Retrieved on April 3rd, 2008.
  5. ↑ The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving at the Internet Movie Database.
  6. ↑ The Annie Awards Ceremony of 1996, at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on January 15th, 2009.
  7. ↑ The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: (Saturn Awards) Ceremony of 1996, at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on January 15th, 2009.
  8. ↑ Timmy the Tooth Demo VHS previews
  9. ↑ Google Book Search page for "Land Before Time 3: Time of The Great Giving". Retrieved on January 19th, 2009.


External links

The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time films
The Land Before Time • The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure • The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving • The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists • The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island • The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock • The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire • The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze • The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water • The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration • The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses • The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers • The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends • The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave
The Land Before Time television series
Season One
The Cave of Many Voices • The Mysterious Tooth Crisis • The Star Day Celebration • The Canyon of Shiny Stones • The Great Log Running Game • The Brave Longneck Scheme • The Meadow of Jumping Waters • The Days of Rising Waters • Escape From The Mysterious Beyond • The Hidden Canyon • The Legend of the Story Speakers • The Bright Circle Celebration • The Lonely Journey • The Missing Fast-Water Adventure • The Spooky Nighttime Adventure • The Lone Dinosaur Returns • Stranger From the Mysterious Above • The Forbidden Friendship • The Amazing Threehorn Girl • The Big Longneck Test • The Hermit of Black Rock • "Return to Hanging Rock" • March of the Sand Creepers • Search for the Sky Color Stones • Through the Eyes of a Spiketail • The Great Egg Adventure
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