Harry and the Hendersons [Special Edition]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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 Rudoy), 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, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Subtitle: Fre/Spa
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • Feature commentary with director William Dear
  • Deleted scenes
  • Harry...Finding the Missing Link featurette
  • Making of Harry and the Hendersons
  • Newswrap featurette
  • Theatrical trailer

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Won Best Makeup - 1987 (Rick Baker)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       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
       Bill Ontiverous - Sgt. Mancini

• Director:

  William Dear

• Producer:

  William Dear, Steven Spielberg, Richard Vane

• Screenwriter:

  William Dear, William E. Martin, Ezra D. Rappaport, Thomas Szollosi, Richard Christian Matheson

• Cinematographer:

  Allen Daviau

• Composer (Music Score):

  Bruce Broughton

• Editor:

  Donn Cambern

• Production Designer:

  William Matthews, Don Woodruff

• Art Director:

  Don Woodruff

• Set Designer:

  Linda de Scenna, Jim Teegarden

• Costume Designer:

  Peter V. Saldutti, Denise Schlom

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Willie D. Burton

• Special Effects:

  Rick Baker

• First Assistant Director:

  L. Andrew Stone

• Production Manager:

  Ted Adams Swanson

• Casting:

  Judy Taylor, Mike Fenton, Jane Feinberg

• Second Unit Director:

  James D. Bissell

• Supervising Sound Editor:

  Richard L. Anderson

• Animal Trainer/Wrangler:

  Anne Gordon

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, Rovi