The Legend of Sasquatch
Heartfelt, accessible Big Foot tale meant for little kids.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Legend of Sasquatch is an animated feature film designed to appeal to very young kids. Simple and basic in its animation, its storytelling, and its characterizations, the movie is very different from the sophisticated, artful, swiftly paced, 21st-century animated offerings from Disney, Pixar, and others. Still, the filmmakers are earnest in their efforts to engage young children and provide sturdy messages about relationships, the environment, and an individual striving to have a positive impact on his or her world. The family at the heart of the story is trying to recover from the loss of their beloved mother, and several scenes deal gently with that loss. Only a few mildly suspenseful moments occur: A Sasquatch (also known as "Bigfoot") family is in danger of losing its cave-home to a flood; a snaggletoothed hunter attempts to capture a Sasquatch baby; two human characters fall from steep places but come to no harm. Some basic scientific concepts are described in a rudimentary fashion.
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What's the Story?
In THE LEGEND OF SASQUATCH, the Davis family -- John (William Hurt) and his two daughters, Khristy (Jewel Restaneo) and Maggie (Blaire Restaneo) -- arrive at their new home in a mountain setting. John has been assigned to help build a new dam, which will bring electricity to the surrounding cities. No one in the family has fully recovered from the mom's recent death, and John is hoping that the new environment will help the healing process. It's an isolated and beautiful place, and legend has it that the elusive, perhaps mythical Sasquatch make this forest their home. One night Maggie spots a Sasquatch from her bedroom window. Eager to see him up close, she follows, but he's frightened and runs away. Though her dad and sister are dubious, Maggie is absolute. She saw a Sasquatch and she's going to prove it! After some frustrating attempts, she gains the trust of the young Sasquatch -- and prove it she does. The Sasquatch clan, whose cave has become endangered because of the dam's construction, finds the Davis family to be a precious ally in their urgent quest to save their home. Their plight is heightened when a hunter, hoping for fame and fortune, tries to capture one of the legendary creatures.
Is It Any Good?
Simplicity and earnestness define this movie especially intended for the youngest viewers. The filmmakers tell their story and deliver lots of proactive messages using very basic animation, a pleasant musical score, and likable characters. It would be a mistake to compare this film to bigger-budget, larger-scale animated fare. It's slower, less busy, and less witty and clearly not designed to appeal to an adult's sensibility. References to the death of a parent are brief and handled in a gentle way that may prove helpful for kids coping with present or future loss of any magnitude.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's statement that we have to "try to protect the future with our actions today." What does this mean? Are there ways you can help "protect the future?" At home? At school? When sharing the outdoors with other creatures?
A "legend" is described here as a story people believe in enough to pass on to others and the next generation. What are some other legends you're familiar with? Are there some in which you would like to believe? Why?
A Sasquatch revealed himself to Maggie, the youngest of the Davis children. Why do you think she was chosen?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 12, 2006
- On DVD or streaming: October 2, 2008
- Cast: William Hurt, John Rhys-Davies, Blaire Restaneo
- Director: Thomas Callicoat
- Studio: Gorilla Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Science and Nature
- Run time: 74 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: March 22, 2023
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For kids who love myths and legends
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