The Land Before Time opens with a distinctive and memorable narration that sets the scene for the prehistoric world the film explores. The initial lines of this opening monologue, spoken by the narrator, introduce the ancient setting and the era of dinosaurs.
The Opening Lines of the Monologue
The film's opening narration begins by establishing the time period and geographical context:
Once upon this same earth, beneath this same sun, long before you, before the ape and the elephant, as well; before the wolf, the bison, the whale, before the mammoth and the mastodon, in the time of the dinosaurs. Now the dinosaurs were of two kinds.
These words immediately transport the viewer back millions of years, emphasizing the vast difference between the modern world and the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Breaking Down the Introduction
- Establishing the Time: The narration directly contrasts the "time of the dinosaurs" with later eras, highlighting the deep historical context.
- Listing Later Life Forms: By mentioning animals like the ape, elephant, wolf, bison, whale, mammoth, and mastodon, the monologue underscores how long ago the dinosaur age was, placing it as a foundational period in Earth's history before many familiar mammals evolved.
- Setting the Stage: This introduction serves as a crucial setup, preparing the audience for a story unlike anything in human history.
This initial part of the monologue then transitions to classifying the dinosaurs themselves, laying the groundwork for understanding the different species and their roles within the film's narrative. The simple division into "two kinds" hints at the fundamental conflict and interactions that will drive the plot.
This narration is a key element in establishing the film's tone and scope, immediately immersing the audience in a world vastly different from our own.
