Clifford

Clifford

Year: 1994

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Flaherty

ComedyCrude humor and satireGags jokes and slapstick humorFunny jokes and crude humorSpooky scary comedy

Clifford’s uncle Martin Daniels is asked to watch his brother’s young son, Clifford. Martin brings the boy into his home and meets his future wife, Sarah. Clifford becomes obsessed with visiting a famous theme park, and Martin—an engineer who helped design it—plans the trip. When Clifford proves to be a mischievous brat, tensions flare, leading to a chaotic, inter‑generational showdown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Clifford (1994)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Clifford (1994). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1990s, 2050

The plot toggles between Clifford’s 1990s childhood and a 2050-present frame in which he is an elderly priest recounting those events. The 1990s segments capture a city of big dreams and mischievous pranks, while the 2050 timeline grounds the tale in reflection, moral lessons, and redemption.

Location

Los Angeles, Honolulu, Catholic school (2050)

The story moves between Los Angeles and Honolulu, with a pivotal scene inside a Catholic school in 2050. Dinosaur World serves as a focal point in LA, drawing Clifford’s imagination into a larger battle between dreams and consequences. The narrative weaves through these urban spaces, highlighting how place shapes ambition, family, and forgiveness.

🎬 Urban setting 🗺️ Travel 🕰️ Time-jump

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:27

Main Characters – Clifford (1994)

Meet the key characters of Clifford (1994), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Clifford Daniels (Martin Short)

An elderly priest who narrates his youth to Roger. As a 10-year-old in the 1990s, he is a stubborn, toy-obsessed boy whose antics test family and community. His journey intersects with Dinosaur World and his uncle’s schemes, leading to a moral awakening.

🎭 Complex ✝️ Faith 🧭 Moral

Martin Daniels (Charles Grodin)

Clifford’s uncle, a renowned architect whose ambition to impress leads to conflicts with family and friends. His professional success becomes entangled with personal failures, setting the stage for consequences and potential reconciliation.

🎭 Ambitious 🏗️ Creative 💼 Professional

Sarah Davis (Mary Steenburgen)

Martin’s coworker and Clifford’s mother figure, who longs for a family and ultimately becomes part of the married couple’s dynamic. Her presence anchors emotional stakes and drives key decisions.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 💼 Professional 💖 Love

Julien Daniels (Richard Kind)

Clifford’s father; his business trips and expectations influence the family’s trajectory. He plays a central role in the tension between Clifford and Martin and is part of the eventual reconciliation.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 💼 Professional 🗺️ Travel

Gerald Ellis (Dabney Coleman)

A powerful figure behind the city’s transit plans who becomes a foil to Martin’s ambitions. His influence escalates the stakes, highlighting how authority can shape personal fortunes.

🏢 Authority 💼 Power 🧭 Influence

Roger

The boy Clifford coerces and mentors, serving as the emotional catalyst for the tale’s discussion of forgiveness and growth. His decision to write forgiveness letters frames the film’s moral arc.

👦 Curious 🙏 Learning 🧭 Moral

Larry the Scary Rex

The centerpiece ride at Dinosaur World that becomes a crucible for Clifford and Martin’s conflict before ultimately symbolizing fear, risk, and redemption.

🎢 Adventure 🦖 Theme Park 🌀 Danger

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:27

Major Themes – Clifford (1994)

Explore the central themes of Clifford (1994), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Forgiveness

The narrative centers on seeking and granting forgiveness, culminating in reconciliation between Clifford and Martin. Father Clifford’s retelling emphasizes admitting fault and choosing mercy over bitterness. The pursuit of 287 apology letters symbolizes the healing power of forgiveness and the chance to mend broken bonds.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family

Family ties propel the drama—from youthful defiance to adult loyalties and responsibilities. The relationships among Clifford, Martin, Sarah, and Julian reveal how love, pride, and misunderstanding ripple across generations. Despite clashes, the family ultimately strives for connection and understanding.

🏗️ Ambition

Martin’s drive to prove himself collides with the chaos Clifford creates, risking career and reputation. The city’s transit project and public ambitions expose how pride can distort judgment and strain personal relationships. The story ultimately uses ambition as a catalyst for humility and redemption.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:27

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Clifford Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Clifford, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Clifford Summary

Clifford Timeline

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Clifford Timeline

More About Clifford

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More About Clifford

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Clifford (1994) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Clifford (1994) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Clifford (1994) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow