Pete’s Dragon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A boy with an imaginary (but very real) dragon causes chaos in a small town while being chased by hillbillies and a vaudevillian medicine man.

🍿 Pete’s Dragon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape from the Gogans

In early 20th-century Maine, young orphan Pete is escaping the clutches of his abusive adoptive family, the Gogans. He’s aided by his friend Elliott, a large, often invisible dragon. The Gogans, a comically villainous family, are determined to recapture Pete, whom they view as a source of cheap labor.

Arrival in Passamaquoddy

Pete and Elliott arrive in the seaside town of Passamaquoddy, where Elliott’s antics, while invisible, cause chaos and blame falls on Pete. He finds refuge with Lampie, the local lighthouse keeper, and his daughter Nora. Nora, initially skeptical, offers Pete a home, but the invisible dragon continues to create mischief.

Dr. Terminus’s Scheme

The arrival of Dr. Terminus, a con artist selling fake remedies, adds another layer of conflict. Recognizing the potential profit in capturing Elliott, Dr. Terminus schemes to exploit the dragon. Meanwhile, the Gogans arrive in Passamaquoddy, determined to reclaim Pete, leading to a collision course between Pete, Elliott, the Gogans, and Dr. Terminus.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pete (Sean Marshall): A resourceful and kind-hearted orphan boy who escapes his abusive adoptive family with the help of his dragon friend, Elliott.
• Elliott (Charlie Callas (voice)): Pete’s loyal and mischievous dragon friend, who can turn invisible and often causes both help and trouble.
• Nora (Helen Reddy): The warm and practical lighthouse keeper who takes Pete in and provides him with a loving home.
• Lampie (Mickey Rooney): Nora’s initially skeptical but ultimately kind-hearted father, who runs the lighthouse and bonds with Pete.
• Dr. Terminus (Jim Dale): A greedy and unscrupulous con artist who seeks to capture Elliott for his own financial gain.
• Lena Gogan (Shelley Winters): The cruel and determined matriarch of the Gogan family, who seeks to reclaim Pete as their property.
• Hoagy (Red Buttons): Dr. Terminus’s bumbling and reluctant assistant, who is easily frightened and often caught in the schemes.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nora: “Well, if there’s enough room for a chowder-head like you, then there’s *more* than enough room for a dragon.” – Nora says this to Lampie, showing her willingness to accept Pete and his dragon into her life.
• Lampie: “I saw a dragon! I swear I saw a dragon!” – Lampie drunkenly announces his encounter with Elliott to the initially disbelieving townsfolk.
• Doc Terminus: “Every little piece, every little crease, twenty-seven bones, a dragon fleece!” – Doc Terminus sings about how he would make money of Elliott once he catches him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $39,588,000
• Worldwide Gross: $39,588,000

💥 Pete’s Dragon Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being completely mesmerized by Elliott the dragon. The way he interacted with Pete, even when invisible, felt so real to me. ‘Candle on the Water’ always gets me choked up, and I love the silliness of Dr. Terminus. This movie might not be perfect, but it holds a special place in my heart for its pure, childlike wonder.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Fans of classic Disney films”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about friendship and overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Cartoonish violence”
  • “Brief scenes of child mistreatment”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “A charming blend of live-action and animation, ‘Pete’s Dragon’ offers a heartwarming story about friendship and family. While the special effects may show their age, the film’s endearing characters and catchy musical numbers create a delightful experience for viewers of all ages. Jim Dale steals every scene as the villainous Dr. Terminus.
• Fiction Horizon: “‘Pete’s Dragon’ is a whimsical adventure that captivates with its imaginative storytelling. However, the overlong runtime and uneven pacing detract from the film’s overall impact. Despite its flaws, the movie’s positive messages and nostalgic appeal make it a worthwhile watch for families.
• IMDB: “One of the best underrated live-action Disney films. It’s cute and charming with an awesome soundtrack! One of my favorites.

Audience Reactions

The blend of live-action and animation was groundbreaking and still holds up well today.: Viewers consistently praise Elliott’s design and the film’s heartwarming story.

Jim Dale’s performance as Doc Terminus is hilarious and unforgettable.: Many fans consider Doc Terminus one of Disney’s best villains.

Overall Consensus: ‘Pete’s Dragon’ is a nostalgic and charming family film with a heartwarming story and memorable characters, though it may suffer from a long runtime and dated special effects.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Song)- 1978

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Originally, Elliott was intended to remain invisible throughout the entire film, but the animation department lobbied for increased screen time, eventually reaching 22 minutes.”
• “Don Bluth, who worked on the animation for ‘Pete’s Dragon,’ left Disney shortly after due to creative differences and the limitations he felt while working on the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pete’s Dragon?

As a classic Disney film, ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (1977) is available on various platforms for rental or purchase. You can find it on streaming services like Disney+, where you can access it with a subscription. For those who prefer owning a digital copy, it’s available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules on channels that air classic movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pete’s Dragon, you might like these similar films:

• Mary Poppins (1964): Both films blend live-action with animation and feature musical numbers, creating a whimsical family-friendly experience.
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): Another Disney film that combines live-action and animation, offering a similar blend of fantasy, music, and adventure.
• The NeverEnding Story (1984): Features a child protagonist and a fantastical creature, emphasizing themes of friendship and imagination.
• Paddington (2014): A modern family film that blends live-action with CGI, offering heart-warming adventure and humor.

🛒 Pete’s Dragon Related Products

• Pete’s Dragon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic with the original soundtrack! Includes all the beloved songs from the film in high-quality audio. A must-have for fans and collectors.
• Funko Pop! Disney: Pete’s Dragon – Elliott (Flocked): A flocked Funko Pop! of Elliott the dragon is a visually striking and huggable addition to any collector’s shelf, capturing the character’s charm.
• Pete’s Dragon (Blu-ray): Experience the magic of ‘Pete’s Dragon’ in stunning high definition! Enjoy enhanced picture and sound quality, plus bonus features for a deeper dive into the film’s creation.
• Pete’s Dragon (2016) [4K UHD]: Experience the magic of ‘Pete’s Dragon’ in stunning Ultra high definition!

🎧 Soundtrack

Pete’s Dragon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Candle on the Water” – performed by Helen Reddy
• “Brazzle Dazzle Day” – performed by The Pete’s Dragon cast
• “It’s Not Easy” – performed by Helen Reddy & Sean Marshall
• “Every Little Piece” – performed by Jim Dale & Red Buttons
• “I Saw A Dragon” – performed by Mickey Rooney
• “Happiest Home in These Hills” – performed by Shelley Winters, Charles Tyner, Gary Morgan, & Jeff Conaway

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pete’s Dragon- There’s Room For Everyone On This World (Lyr

Remember that heartwarming song from Pete’s Dragon? This video gives you the lyrics so you can sing along! It’s a classic tune that really captures the spirit of the movie, and you will enjoy hearing it again.

✨ Rate