I just heard this while watching a vid on Youtube and was wondering if someone could confirm this as only a theory or an actual subliminal reality that the young viewers weren't meant to realize.
Theory.
It's false, otherwise Littlefoot would've been reunited with his mom.
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The first time I watched this film as an adult, after many years of not seeing it, I was instantly struck by how symbolic The Great Valley is of Heaven.
1. It's a place that Littlefoot's mother "knows" exists, without having been there.
2. It is idyllic and perfect and nothing bad ever happens, with a food supply that lasts "forever," according to the narrator.
3. Despite the fact that clearly Littlefoot lives in the time of the mass extinction, when he reaches The Great Valley, the narrator mentions how the descendants of Littlefoot and his friends tell the story of their ancestors. It definitely exists outside of reality, where dinosaurs went extinct.
I think it's possible that whether or not they died and went to heaven is up to the viewer to decide.
"To kill the unborn in the womb"-Iron Maiden
I never bought that theory, just like I never bought the theory that the castle 'in the clouds' at the end of Snow White 'must mean that she died'.
"And they all grew up together, generation after generation, each passing on the tale to the next...the story of their ancestors journey to the valley, long ago" -that line at the end completely contradicts the theory that they died.
The Great Valley may appear 'heavenly' but I don't think its meant to symbolize death its meant to symbolize life...that after grief...their is life and that no matter how dark things may become, with your friends by your side you can overcome anything and their will be a 'castle in the sky' or a 'great valley' waiting for you at the end of your fight...hence the song "If we hold on together'.
That what it symbolises to me...no matter how dark things may seem, you can make it through and their will be light again, the sun will eventually shine once more. And for Littlefoot it symbolizes him healing from his mothers death.