Movie Type: Animal Picture, Family-Oriented Adventure
Themes: Bounty Hunters, Fish Out of Water
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 Guide
Review
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 Guide
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
Credit
Don Woodruff - Art Director, Judy Taylor - Casting, Mike Fenton - Casting, Jane Feinberg - Casting, Peter V. Saldutti - Costume Designer, Denise Schlom - Costume Designer, L. Andrew Stone - First Assistant Director, William Dear - Director, James D. Bissell - Second Unit Director, Donn Cambern - Editor, Bruce Broughton - Composer (Music Score), William Matthews - Production Designer, Don Woodruff - Production Designer, Allen Daviau - Cinematographer, Ted Adams Swanson - Production Manager, William Dear - Producer, Steven Spielberg - Producer, Richard Vane - Producer, Linda de Scenna - Set Designer, Jim Teegarden - Set Designer, Rick Baker - Special Effects, Willie D. Burton - Sound/Sound Designer, William Dear - Screenwriter, William E. Martin - Screenwriter, Ezra D. Rappaport - Screenwriter, Thomas Szollosi - Screenwriter, Richard Christian Matheson - Screenwriter, Anne Gordon - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Richard L. Anderson - Supervising Sound Editor
The film was released as Bigfoot and the Hendersons in the United Kingdom, though the TV series retained the American title.
Bruce Broughton composed the music throughout the entire film, and Joe Cocker performs "Love Lives On" (later released in 1989) during the end credits.
On their way home to Seattle from a camping trip, the Hendersons accidentally run over a strange and unknown creature. Unsure what else to do, they strap it to the roof of their car and take it home. Once there, the revived creature goes wild, rampaging throughout the house. Eventually, the family realizes that the creature is the legendary Bigfoot, and is actually very gentle. Given the name "Harry", the creature's curiosity leads him to escape, running through the city as sightings of him strike fear into the populace (and greed into the heart of one French Canadian). Trying to hide Harry from the Seattle authorities and the hunter who wants his hide, the Hendersons come to realize that the best thing for Harry is to return him to his home in the wilderness.
