Watch The Great Land of Small

The Great Land of Small is a 1986 Canadian fantasy film directed by Vojtech Jasný. The movie is set in a rural village, where a young boy, named Ben, is struggling to come to terms with his parents' failing marriage. One day, Ben finds himself transported to a magical dimension where he meets a seven-inch-tall fairytale princess named Lily. Ben is surprised and delighted to discover that this new world offers him the chance to escape his family problems and embark on an exciting adventure.

Although initially a bit overwhelmed by the strange new world he finds himself in, Ben soon falls in love with the tiny princess and becomes friends with her tribe of miniature villagers. The world that Ben encounters is not only small in size but also in scale; everything coincides with the miniature characters, including a tiny river, forest, and town square where their kingdom is established. The world is also home to strange creatures, such as a villainous giant spider, and various other anthropomorphic plants and animals.

As Ben spends more time exploring this fascinating land, he discovers that the monarchs of the small kingdom are fighting over a powerful object known as the Heart of the Forest. The Heart of the Forest is a precious gem that provides the power to keep the balance of the world. Without it, the forest and all who live within it are at risk of destruction. Ben senses that this is where his true destiny lies and sets out on a quest to aid the tiny rulers in their search for the Heart of the Forest.

Ben learns that the Heart of the Forest was last seen in the hands of the evil wizard Taurius, who has ambitions to use the gem's power to take over the land. With the help of his newfound friends, and the faithful miniature horse Max, Ben embarks on a dangerous journey to confront the evil wizard, retrieve the Heart of the Forest, and restore balance to its world.

The story takes Ben on an action-packed, heartwarming, and magical journey that teaches him about friendship, teamwork, and the power of love. Although The Great Land of Small has its share of suspense and adventures, there's nothing scary or overly violent making it a perfect family-friendly film. The movie employs impressive practical effects throughout, with a range of optical illusions, large-scale puppetry, and miniatures. The animation and graphics of the film do not solely rely on computer-generated imagery, and the visual elements help to give the movie a realistic, tangible quality.

The ensemble cast does an excellent job with their roles, with Michael Blouin playing Ben, the young, wide-eyed hero, Karen Elkin playing Princess Lily, the fairy-tale-like character, Michael J. Anderson as Lily's father, The King, and several other notable Canadian actors lending their voices to the secondary characters. The characters seem so real, and the talents of the actors give a unique charm to the film.

The Great Land of Small is sure to awe kids with its magical world of adventure, and with a timeless storyline, the movie continues to capture the hearts of young viewers even after all these years. It is a classic tale of good versus evil, and the unlikely heroes who come together to save the world. It teaches valuable life lessons and could be a great way to spark discussions on team-building, trust, determination, and perseverance.

The Great Land of Small is a must-see film for those who enjoy imaginative and entertaining stories that appeal to the whole family. The film perfectly merges adventure, fantasy, and comedy making it a heart-warming movie with fairy-tale elements that leaves a lasting impression. It is a nostalgic and enchanting movie, well worth the watch for those who can appreciate the innocence and wonder of childhood dreams.

The Great Land of Small is a 1986 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.