The Giant of Thunder Mountain

My 6-year-old daughter said, "It's a good story. A happy story. Well, it's a little scary, then funny, then sad, then happy."

Good stuff for the whole family, though you may want to be there so the kids don't get too scared during the intense parts. It's so heartbreaking to watch people be so cruel, and to think that the same kind of garbage still happens today. But it's nice to have a way to teach my kids what it must feel like to be treated so poorly just because someone looks different from the rest!

We were trilled to learn that Eli (the Giant) wrote and produced it! It was fun to see so many people who have gone on to do other things, too! We just love the IMDb because we get to see why so many of the actors look familiar!

Anyone who thinks of Richard Kiel as simply a James Bond nemesis with metal teeth should see this, a film in which he stars as the victim of fearful people jumping to conclusions about those who are a little bit different than themselves. His tender relationship with the child Amy evokes similar scenes between the Frankenstein monster and another small but fearless little girl. This is a fine drama for kids -- well written, acted and produced -- although the ending, while moving, is a bit of a letdown. Ellen Crawford makes the most of her limited screen time; one wishes, though, her role had been bigger. Not quite sure why this film was rated PG; it's clearly a G, not unlike a lot of the best family movies of the pre-ratings era.

My review was written in May 1991 after a Cannes Film Festival Market screening.

Wholesome, square family entertainment returns with "The Giant of Thunder Mountain". Well-mounted production offers nothing new but is nevertheless an entertaining package for old-fashioned audiences.

Actor Richard Kiel, best known for his toothy running role as Jaws in Roger Moore-led James Bond epics, is co-writer and executive producer of this wilderness adventure. He's also thoroughly sympathetic as a literal giant wh's become a legend to nearby townsfolk.

A huge bear kiled his parents, and Kiel has lived as a hermit ever since. When young siblings Chance Michael Corbitt, Ryan Todd and Noley Thornton find and befriend the big fellow, Kiel shaves off his beard and gets presentable to meet their widowed mom.

Unfortunately, crooked carnival man Jack Elam and his two sons are up to no good and Kiel gets blamed for their misdeeds. Pic effectively opposes vigilante justice and gets good mileage out of the small-town prejudices that mock and mistreat someone different, such as the 7-foot-plus Kiel.

Pic's high points are undoubtedly the scary fights involving guest star Bart the Bear, whose repertoire of moves is limited but effective. Script contrives to defeat Bart without killing him, a refreshing novelty for a usually bloody genre.

With Elam perfect as comic relief, Kiel carries the picture with an earnest performance in a tailor-made role. Cast of familair good-ol' boys is fine, and Marianne Rogers projects a mature beauty akin to Jennifer O'Neill as the romantic interet. The kids are cute but resistible.

Helmer James Roberson is experienced in this type of picture, and film scores high on Stephen Shank's widescreen visuals of beautiful, unspoiled locations. Robyn Smyth's costumes ring ture in conjuring up the right period feel. Soun effects for Bart or Kiel galumphing along the ground are overdone.

This movie is so good! Everything what a movie should have is in it: humor, drama, action... The music is very beautiful, and Richard Kiel is acting very good. And also the tiny Noley Thornton. This movie is not available anymore here in Holland, or England, and I really don't know why, because this movie should be very popular!

We rented this movie and thought it was wonderful. It had suspense, drama, comedy, and had my whole family glued to the screen for all of its 80 or so minutes. Richard Kiel is outstanding as the giant, and the supporting actors and actresses are great in their roles. I give it an A+.