Harry and the Hendersons Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family accidentally squashes Bigfoot, brings him home like a giant, hairy pet rock, and then regrets everything when he starts redecorating with trees and devouring all the snacks.

🍿 Harry and the Hendersons: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fateful Hunting Trip

The Henderson family – George, Nancy, Sarah, and Ernie – are returning home from a hunting trip in the Cascade mountains of Washington state. George, an avid hunter, is disappointed to have come back empty-handed for the first time. While driving through a dense forest, their car strikes a large, furry creature, leading them to believe they’ve hit a bear.

Discovering Harry

Upon closer inspection, the family realizes they’ve actually hit a Sasquatch, more commonly known as Bigfoot. Initially fearing it’s a person, they are surprised to find the legendary creature lying seemingly lifeless in the road. Believing it to be dead and seeing potential for fame and fortune, they strap ‘Bigfoot’ to the roof of their car and bring it home.

Harry Comes to Life

Once at home, George ventures to the garage to examine their ‘prize’ only to discover the Sasquatch is very much alive. The creature, who they later name Harry, escapes into the house, causing chaos and initially frightening the family. However, they soon realize Harry is a gentle giant, more intelligent and sensitive than they initially believed. He has a distaste for hunting trophies and a surprisingly refined palate for a supposed wild beast.

Hiding Harry

The Hendersons attempt to keep Harry’s existence a secret, knowing the sensation he would create and the potential dangers he would face. They try to integrate him into their family life, which leads to numerous humorous and heartwarming situations as Harry adjusts to human customs, often with clumsy and destructive results. George is torn between protecting Harry and succumbing to the pressure from his father and the community.

The Hunter

Meanwhile, Jacques LaFleur, a determined and somewhat eccentric Bigfoot hunter, is tracking Harry. LaFleur, portrayed as a caricature of a relentless pursuer, becomes a persistent threat to Harry’s safety, adding suspense to the family’s efforts to protect their newfound friend. The authorities also become involved as sightings of a large, hairy creature escalate, further complicating the Hendersons’ predicament.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Henderson (John Lithgow): The well-meaning but initially opportunistic father who learns to respect and protect Harry.
• Nancy Henderson (Melinda Dillon): The loving mother who adapts to the unusual circumstances and embraces Harry as part of the family.
• Harry (Kevin Peter Hall): The gentle Sasquatch who forms a close bond with the Henderson family despite initial fears and misunderstandings.
• Sarah Henderson (Margaret Langrick): The teenage daughter who initially resists Harry’s presence but eventually accepts him.
• Ernie Henderson (Joshua Rudoy): The enthusiastic young son who quickly befriends Harry and sees him as a lovable companion.
• Jacques Lafleur (David Suchet): The determined hunter obsessed with capturing Bigfoot, who eventually realizes Harry’s gentle nature.
• Dr. Wallace Wrightwood (Don Ameche): The Bigfoot expert whose life was consumed by the search, finally finding validation in Harry’s existence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Henderson: “We’ve got some big guns and some big-big guns but I’m afraid I’m all out of big-big ammo!” – George frantically searches for a weapon to defend his family against what he believes to be a dangerous Bigfoot.
• George Henderson: “What if it’s…HIM?” – George Henderson says this when he realizes that he has just hit a bigfoot with his car.
• Dr. Wallace Wrightwood: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.” – Dr. Wrightwood says this to express his doubt about the Henderson’s story.
• Harry: “Okay.” – Harry says this at the end of the film after George tells him to take care of himself.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $29,760,613
• Worldwide Gross: $49,998,613

💥 Harry and the Hendersons Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit it, I still tear up at the end! As a kid, I was obsessed with Harry. I mean, who wouldn’t want a giant, furry friend who raids the fridge with you? The scene where he accidentally wrecks the house while trying to ‘sit’ cracks me up every time, and it really stuck with me. The whole movie is just a big, warm hug, but with slightly questionable ’80s fashion.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming movie night”
  • “Fans of 80s family films and comedies”
  • “Those interested in Bigfoot lore and cryptozoology themes”
  • “Viewers who appreciate practical effects and makeup artistry”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief child profanity”
  • “Mild peril and tense situations”
  • “Depiction of hunting and animal trophies (may be disturbing for some viewers)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While undeniably sentimental, ‘Harry and the Hendersons’ delivers a heartwarming story with impressive special effects. Rick Baker’s makeup work brings Harry to life, creating a lovable and believable Sasquatch. However, the plot is predictable, and some performances are over-the-top.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “‘Harry and the Hendersons’ is a charming family film with a big heart. Kevin Peter Hall’s performance as Harry is exceptional, and the movie’s message about understanding and acceptance resonates. While some may find it cheesy, it’s a fun and feel-good adventure for all ages.

Audience Reactions

Harry’s expressive face and comedic timing stole the show.: Viewers universally praised the special effects and Harry’s believable character.

The heartwarming ending had everyone reaching for tissues.: The film’s strong emotional core and themes of acceptance resonated deeply with audiences.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good family film with impressive special effects and a heartwarming message, though some find it predictable and cheesy. Many find the character Harry lovable.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Makeup)- 1988

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rick Baker won the Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work on creating Harry. He considered Harry his greatest and favorite character he created.”
• “Kevin Peter Hall, who played Harry, also played the Predator in the ‘Predator’ films. His experience with physical acting and portraying creatures was crucial to Harry’s believability.”
• “Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment co-produced the film, contributing to its family-friendly tone and appeal.”
• “The film was initially conceived as a TV pilot before being developed into a feature film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Harry and the Hendersons?

Harry and the Hendersons is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video for rent or purchase, as well as Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as options may vary by region. You may also be able to find it for purchase on DVD or Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Harry and the Hendersons, you might like these similar films:

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Both films feature a family befriending a misunderstood creature and protecting it from the outside world.
• Big (1988): Explores themes of innocence and childlike wonder within a large, physically imposing character adjusting to a new environment.
• Short Circuit (1986): A family-friendly comedy about an unlikely character (a robot) who is different and needs protection.
• Paddington (2014): A kind, innocent creature from the wild adapts to living with a human family and causes comedic chaos.
• The Iron Giant (1999): An animated film where a young boy befriends a giant robot and protects it from the military, highlighting themes of friendship and judging by appearances.

🛒 Harry and the Hendersons Related Products

• Harry and the Hendersons Blu-ray: Relive the heartwarming adventure of Harry and the Hendersons in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition is perfect for fans looking to experience the magic all over again. Includes behind-the-scenes features and commentary.
• Harry and the Hendersons T-Shirt: Show your love for Harry with this vintage-style t-shirt featuring the iconic movie poster. Made from soft, comfortable material, it’s perfect for casual wear and displaying your fandom.
• Bigfoot Plush Toy: Bring the legend of Bigfoot to life with this adorable plush toy. Perfect for cuddling or displaying, this soft and huggable Bigfoot will capture the hearts of fans of all ages.
• Bigfoot Hunter: The Jacques Lafleur Chronicles: Discover the untold stories of Jacques Lafleur, the passionate Bigfoot hunter, and his relentless pursuit of the elusive Sasquatch. Delve into his motivations, methods, and the events that shaped his obsession. A must-read for fans who want to delve deeper into the character’s background.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Love Lives On” – performed by Joe Cocker
• “Main Title” – performed by Bruce Broughton

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Harry and the Hendersons Filming Locations | Seattle Then & Now 1986 Reshoot

Ever wondered where ‘Harry and the Hendersons’ was filmed? This video takes you on a tour of the Seattle locations, then and now. It’s amazing to see how much (or how little!) has changed!

Harry and the Hendersons Wins Makeup: 1988 Oscars

Did you know ‘Harry and the Hendersons’ won an Oscar for makeup? Check out this clip of Rick Baker’s acceptance speech. It’s a fun little piece of movie history!

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