Directed by Don Bluth
Writing credits: Judy Freudberg & Tony Geiss (story), Stu Krieger (screenplay)
Produced by Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy, executive producer Steven Spielberg, co-executive producers: Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall
Original music by James Horner and Michael Tavera

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas originally wanted the film to have no dialog, like the sequence in Fantasia, Rite of Spring. But, to make the film appealing to children, they abandoned this idea, and got actors and actresses to do the voices.

This first film is really different from the rest of the series, both in its colors (mostly dark and with little contrast), music (while the rest of the films are more of musicals, this one has only the background score) and the personality of the characters. In the later films, the kid dinosaurs are much more vivid and have clearly defined "roles" among the friends - but then, of course, they are both very young and also unfamiliar with each other in this film. Also the storyline is different from the other films, it is sadder (the only film in which anyone of the good dinosaurs dies) and not so much flavored with humor stunts and sidekicks. I love this film, but if you're showing it for a preschooler I suggest that you sit and watch it with him/ her the first time. There are lots of serious issues to talk about afterwards!

Directed by Roy Allen Smith
Writing credits: John Loy, John Ludin, Dev Ross
Produced by Zahra Dowlatabadi and Roy Allen Smith
Original music by Michael Tavera, also music by James Horner (from the first film)

In the middle of the night, the kids discover and hunt down a couple of egg thieves, believing that the egg that's been stolen belongs to Ducky's family. Turns out, though, that the egg they find really is a sharptooth's egg! Overwinning their initial fear, the kids realize that the newly hatched sharptooth is not only of no real risk to their lives - he's actually dependent on them to survive. Time to discover what parenting is all about! ;) The film also teaches us that even the most horrifying creatures have families and soft spots.

This film is the first to introduce us to the well-known sing-along songs found in all later LBT films. Some hate them - I find them fun, and with melodies that won't turn a parent crazy after hearing it twice..!

Directed by Roy Allen Smith
Writing credits: John Loy, John Ludin, Dev Ross
Produced by Zahra Dowlatabadi and Roy Allen Smith
Original music by Michael Tavera, also music by James Horner (from the first film)

In 1996 this film won the Annie award for Best Home Video Production, and was also nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Genre Video Release

The kid dinosaurs are being bullied by three youngsters who believe they are the cream of the crop and that all that matters is to be "tough". However, when the bullies themselves end up in problems, Littlefoot and his friends are the ones to help them out. Later, when the whole valley is being threatened by sharpteeth, natural disasters and lack of food, the youngsters - having learned that sharing and caring is important - manage to teach the grumpy grownups this important lesson.

The soundtrack on this film is great, I especially love the "tough" song! *hums*

Directed by Roy Allen Smith
Writing credits: Dev Ross

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The climate outside the valley is changing, and forcing herds of dinosaurs on hunt for new places to live. One herd passes through the Great Valley, and the dinosaurs tell unbelievable stories of the mist, the fog and all the new and strange creatures. Suddenly, Littlefoot's granddad falls ill, and the visiting dinosaurs reckognize his disease as one that can only be cured by him eating the "night flowers" found far, far away from the valley. None of the grownup dinosaurs risk taking the journey to find them, so that night Littlefoot persuades his new friend Ali to lead him the way. They get into serious trouble, though, and Ali must ask the other kids to come help out (even though the jealous Cera first refuses to come along).

The bad guys in this movie are the unlikely couple "Dil", a half blind and ginourmous female crocodile, and "Ichy", a loudmouthed and cheeky stork-like bird. He's the brains (and eyes), she's the not-so-lean, mean, killing machine. From what I've read, some parents find the language of this film a bit over the top - quote: "Who Needs You?" (a song) is good, but at one point, one of them actually says,"I need you like a kick in the butt!" Is this language really necessary? Ooh, the horror..! ;) Of course, my kids and I think it's fab! We quote the villains, and laugh ourselves silly from it! :D

Directed by Charles Grosvenor
Writing credits: John Loy

In 2002, Aria Noelle Curzon, the voice of Ducky in movies 5-8, won the Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Voice-Over for her work in the mentioned films.

The Great Valley is once again threatened by a natural disaster (grasshoppers this time), and the herd has to seek another place to stay for a while. They don't find any water, and the kids decide to help out looking. They finally find water, but it's not drinkable - it's the ocean! They also find an intriguing island at the end of a reef, but when walking out there, another earth quake destroys the reef and they find themselves trapped on the island - being too afraid to swim or fly across the "big water" (great song, btw!).

On the island they find lots of food - and a long missed friend: Chomper! But of course, where Chomper is, other sharpteeth also are - and they are definitely no friends. In their previous movie together Chomper was an infant depending on the help of his plant eating friends, now it's Chomper's turn to help - even if it means hiding them for his own parents. After a few nerve wrecking experiences on the island, an ocean longneck finally comes to their rescue, and brings the kids safely (if not a bit seasick..) back to the herd.