‘Giant of Thunder Mountain’ Is Tale of Trust

Video

Giant of Thunder Mountain. Plaza Entertainment. 88 minutes. $12.95. For the family; may be too intense for very young children. This 1991 live-action movie, narrated by Cloris Leachman and set in the 19th century Old West, is also about prejudice and the healing power of love. In it, Richard Kiel, who played the hulking, steel-jawed villain in a couple of James Bond films, is Eli, a gentle giant whose unusual size has led him to live away from fearful and ignorant people, alone in a mountain cabin.

When a little girl (Noley Thornton) wins his heart and trust with her accepting friendship, Eli makes a tentative try at other human contact. That contact leads to disaster, thanks to the actions of a bunch of thieving carnival con men (led by the memorable Jack Elam).

Despite a TV movie lack of dimension and some intense scenes--bad guys knock a boy unconscious, a mob burns down Eli’s cabin, a ferocious bear attacks--there’s a thread of sincere sweetness throughout. Thornton and Kiel play so gently off each other, it’s no stretch to feel that the movie’s message held personal resonance for Kiel, who co-wrote and executive-produced.

Audio

A Child’s Celebration of the World. Music for Little People. CD: $15.98; cassette: $9.98. (800) 346-4445. This musical world tour, paying tribute to cultural diversity and universal childhood, features some contemporary offerings, from Raffi’s “Like Me and You,” Bill Miller’s Native American “Anishanabe,” the incomparable Miriam Makeba (“Pata Pata”), to Taj Mahal’s rendition of the calypso “Banana Boat Song” and Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s “Here Come Our Mothers.” Interwoven throughout, are Sweet Honey in the Rock’s a capella counting lessons in Spanish, French, Swahili and Japanese.

Bill Staines: One More River, More Songs for Kids, Cars and Campfires. Red House Records. CD: $14.95. (800) 695-4687. Longtime folk musician Bill Staines’ gentle, conversational vocals share messages of tradition and family in this mellow collection of musical tall tales and life songs, enhanced by crystal-clear, expressive instrumentals. Selections range from “Leatherwing Bat” and the joyful “Mr. Rabbit, Mr. Rabbit” to Staines’ own uplifting title song and “One More River,” a sing-along Noah’s Ark tale.