Movies:
Harry and the Hendersons
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2007
- Feature commentary with director William Dear
- Deleted scenes
- Harry...Finding the Missing Link featurette
- Making of Harry and the Hendersons
- Newswrap featurette
- Theatrical trailer
- Rating:
- Genre: Children's/Family
- Movie Type: Animal Picture, Family-Oriented Adventure
- Themes: Bounty Hunters, Fish Out of Water
- Director: William Dear
- Main Cast: John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, Margaret Langrick, Joshua Rudoy, Kevin Peter Hall
- Release Year: 1987
- Country: US
- Run Time: 111 minutes
- MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
While vacationing in the Pacific Northwest, the Henderson clan's dad George (John Lithgow), mom Nancy (Melinda Dillon), daughter Sarah (Margaret Langrick) and son Ernie (Joshua Rudroy) accidently run over a strange animal with their car, and when they get out to see what it is, they find the seemingly dead body of a hairy Bigfoot-type monster (Kevin Peter Hall). Believing that the creature is a grizzly bear, the Hendersons take it home, planning to stuff the beast and put it on display in their living room. Predictably, the hirsute monster revives and is adopted by the family as a pet. Originally conceived as a TV series by comedian Brad Garrett, Harry and the Hendersons ultimately did make it to the small screen as a weekly syndicated sitcom in 1990, with Kevin Peter Hall repeating the title role during the series' first 24 episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie GuideReview
Harry and the Hendersons fits perfectly in the niche of Spielberg-produced family-friendly fantasy comedies that seemed to pop up all over the place throughout the mid-'80s. In the spirit of E.T., but not quite as heavy, movies like The Goonies, Innerspace, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids successfully delivered escapism and fun to viewers of all ages without asking too much in return. That's exactly what one can expect from Harry and the Hendersons. John Lithgow is perfectly cast as the long-suffering patriarch. He brings a depth to his character that certainly wasn't required, but makes the bond between his George and Kevin Peter Hall's monstrous Harry endearing and believable. Likewise, Don Ameche and David Suchet deliver top-notch performances as the conflicting sides of the scientific community. And, as always, Melinda Dillon fills her motherly role with skill and ease. Altogether, Harry and the Hendersons brings together a talented cast and a charming script, resulting in an unabashedly cute film. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie GuideCast
- John Lithgow - George Henderson
- Melinda Dillon - Nancy Henderson
- Margaret Langrick - Sarah Henderson
- Joshua Rudoy - Ernie Henderson
- Kevin Peter Hall - Harry
David Suchet - Jacques LaFleur; Lainie Kazan - Irene Moffitt; Don Ameche - Dr. Wallace Wrightwood; Debbie Lee Carrington - Little Bigfoot; Connie Craig - Press Woman #2; William Frankfather - Schwarz; Laura Kenny - "Mouse" Woman; Dave MacIntyre - Billers; Laurie O'brien - Screaming Woman; Bill Ontiverous - Sgt. Mancini; M. Emmet Walsh - George Henderson Sr.; William Dear - Sighting Man; Mickey Gilbert - Police Officer; Mark Mitchell - Press Man #1; Nick Flynn - Stuart; Michael Goodell - Pool Man; Chuck McCollum - Guard; Sean Morgan - Jerry Seville; Juleen Murray - Press Woman #1; Fred Newman - Vocal Effects; Vern Taylor - Jerome; John Bloom - Feet; David Richards - Dirty Harry Officer; Tom Hammond - Police Officer; James King - Bicycle Man
