The Black Cauldron (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
by Jack Hannah, Richard Rich, Ted Berman
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Actor: Clarence Nash, Freddie Jones, Grant Bardsley, June Foray, Susan SheridanDirector: Jack Hannah, Richard Rich, Ted Berman
Writer: Al Wilson
Writer: Art Stevens
Writer: Burny Mattinson
Writer: David Jonas
Writer: Doug Lefler
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Published), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
Picture Format: Letterbox, 2.35:1
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-10-03
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
DVD Reviews of The Black Cauldron (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
DVD Review: Ambitious attempt that started a genre
Summary: 4 Stars
At the time this film was released, Disney was getting competition from other animators--remember the animated versions of 'Watership Down' and Bakshi's 'Lord of the Rings'. However, none of these were very successful at the box office. The real competition was from live action features using loads of what was then state-of-the-art special effects. Namely 'Star Wars' and 'Star Trek' films and their imitators.
This film is a lushly animated masterpiece that is interesting to compare with 'Watership Down' and 'Lord of the Rings' (Bakshi's film that is). It also, along with these other two films, helps set the precedent for making animated features that might appeal to boys and to older children more. These are all films many adults could watch and enjoy as well. So much later we see the results: films like 'Titan A.E.' and 'Atlantis'.
Still the Disney animators at the time tried to push too much storyline into too little animation--80 minutes just isn't enough to tell a story that could have been a very Lord-of-the-Rings-or-Star-Wars-like cycle about good ultimately overcoming all-powerful evil. The other compromise they make is trying to offset the darkness of the film with comic relief and cute characters that you would find in Disney's numerous G-rated efforts.
To conclude, this is a classic that should appeal to kids who enjoy films like 'Titan A.E.', 'Atlantis', and 'Treasure Planet' (although BC was done in the era before CGI). Parents might also consider getting copies of 'Watership Down' and 'Lord of the Rings' from around the same time, but please note none of these are suitable for young children, at least not without the most careful of pre-screening and parental supervision.
DVD Review: A BRILLIANT ANIMATED FILM THAT DESERVED SO MUCH MORE 9.5 OUT OF 10
Summary: 5 Stars
Recently, for some unknown reason, I decided to dig up some old VHS tapes that I had not seen in years (Some I have not watched in at least ten years). So I dug fifteen old animated films that I grew up with as a kid to see if they still held up. So the first film I watched was this. I researched a little bit about before I went back into watching it, and was left wondering, "Why do so many people piss all over this film?" Although the majority of critics were in favor of the film when it released in 1985 (62% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), there were a good number of critics and moviegoers who bashed the hell out of this film because for them, it was either "too dark" or "boring." This film deserved so much more than what it got. It bombed in theaters, and was not released on video until 1998. Surprisingly, among the film's supporters was Roger Ebert (Who I will never forgive for some of his opinions on a good number of films) who gave the film a 3.5 out of 4-star rating and addressed the complaints among people that it was too dark by using past Disney classics which had plenty of grim moments and weren't so happy-go-lucky and said that it was a return to its roots. This is one of Disney's more bold efforts, and you don't see these kinds of efforts anymore (Instead we're condemned to endless High School Musical sequels, Disney Channel, numerous straight-to-DVD sequels, and plenty of other mind-blowingly awful films). I implore you, give this film a chance. Watch it with your kids though, because it is a pretty grim and creepy film, but it is a superb film.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The story about the black cauldron details that many centuries ago, there was a king who was so evil and so powerful, that even the gods feared him, so he was thrown into a black cauldron, which, if found by the right user will unleash an army of the undead upon the world and there is almost no way to stop whoever wields it except for a sacrifice of a good person's soul. We are then introduced to Taran, a wannabe knight who constantly day dreams about it which annoys Dallben, the man who takes care of him. Unfortunately, Taran is a pig-keeper for a pig named Henwin, who has special powers that can see into the future and reveal other things as well. When Henwin randomly freaks out as Taran is giving her a bath, she is brought inside the house where it is revealed to Taran that this pig has special powers, and she reveals that the villain in this film; The Horned King; is after the black cauldron, and then during the vision, it is discovered that The Horned King knows about this pig and Taran is forced to flee with Henwin to a safe place. But unfortunately during a day dream, Henwin wanders away from him and he sets out to go and find her. Then he meets a strange, furry creature named Gurgi who steals his apple and then wanders away. When Taran finds Henwin, she is being chased by dragons from The Horned King and is taken away to the castle. So Taran goes to the castle and manages to set her free, but is captured and put in a dungeon. During his brief period in the prison, he meets a girl named Princess Eilonwy who helps him and a man named Fflewddur Fflam (Who has a magical harp that criticizes him by busting strings) escape from the castle in an epic fashion. Then the true crazy adventure of Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Fflewddur beings as they try and find the black cauldron before the king does and prevent him from capturing them.
MUSIC: The music is bizarre, yet it fits this crazy fantasy film. It was very enjoyable to listen to, and at the same time it could be pretty creepy.
ACTION: This film is spectacle and is rather violent as well which makes it certainly earn its hard PG-rating. This film was never dull in this area and was rather spectacular.
ACTING: This is the area in which the film loses the potential perfect rating. While the actors are good for the most part, there are moments when they slip up or there's some corny dialogue. However, the good outweighs the bad in this area, and these actors do a very respectable job at their roles.
OVERALL: If you're tired of the crap that Disney is putting out these days (Please don't remind me of Chicken Little or Meet the Robinsons). This film is very good and superb. It is one of Disney's darker and more bold efforts and it succeeds very well at it. Don't let the kids watch it alone though, this film can be pretty violent and creepy.
THE GOOD: Wonderful animation, good acting, cool action scenes, an enthralling story, wonderful characters, and it's actually kind of creepy.
THE BAD: Moments of cheesy acting and dialogue.
DVD Review: Definitely Not A Typical Disney Animated Film
Summary: 4 Stars
If you get this product, please do not read the back of it. First, the synopsis tells you the moral of the story and takes away the reason to watch it. Second, it mentions the Black Cauldron is Disney's 25th animated classic. This means that if it is a Disney animated film it is automatically a classic. I find that thought an insult to my intelligence.
This departs from the previous films. I don't mind the lack of music, but it is both creepier and darker than the other classics, and it has other scenes that I question its appropriateness (e.g. a voluptuous witch with a low cut outfit with a scene emphasizing that part of her anataomy). I also found that the horned king, while evil, lacks the charm and personality of other Disney villains (e.g. Malificent of Sleeping Beauty or 101 Dalmatians' Cruella DeVille).
As art, it is visually stunning. The animation is top notch. The story is, while a bit occultish, very well put together. In other words, it gets good technical marks.
Jeff
DVD Review: Does not live up to the Disney name
Summary: 3 Stars
The Black Cauldron is one hour and twenty minutes long and was released in theaters on July 24, 1985. The movie at best is hard to follow along and jumps around a lot. The story begins with the introduction that claim that there was once was a ruler so evil that the only way to defeat him was to send his soul to the depth of the Black Cauldron where the Black Cauldron remained hidden for hundreds of years. The movie then switches to the scene of a small farm called Caer Dallben. Dallben is the guarding of Taran who is an Assistant Pigkeeper. Taran dreams of one day of being a great warrior and leaving the farm someday. Taran is feeding Hen Wen (a pig with special power) when Hen Wen acts ups and goes nuts Dallben orders Taran to bring Hen Wen inside. It is inside the Hen Wen powers are revealed. Hen Wen, when put under a spell, can see into the future and expose information. Dallben sees that the Horned King is after Hen Wen and orders Taran to take Hen Wen to the safe cottage on the other side of the woods. On the way to the cottage Taran loses Hen Wen and while looking for Hen Wen runs into Gurgi. Gurgi is a half human and half animal creature who is always hungry. Taran first think of Gurgi as annoying and useless and in the in Gurgi is loyal to Taran. Gurgi always call Taran master; the movie never explains why. Taran finds Hen Wen who is trying to escape from two flying dragons. Hen Wen is captured and is taken to the Horned King. Taran gives chase and finally reaches the castle of the Horned King only to be captured himself. Taran is forced to reveal to the Horned King the powers of Hen Wen. When Taran is in the middle of revealing to what the Horned King is seeking he grabs Hen Wen and tries to escape. Taran throws Hen Wen into the river before he is captured and thrown in the dungeon. In the dungeon he meets Princess Eilonwy who is an enchantress. Together they booth try to escape. In searching for the way out they discover the tomb of the king who used to own the castle and Taran takes the sword that was on top of his tomb. Taran claim it is of no use to him. Taran and Eilonwy find Fflewddur Fflam who is being held prisoner. Taran frees him and all three escape from the castle. While Eilonwy is sewing Fflewddur pants Gurgi emerges again and tells them he knows where the pig went. The trio follow Gurgi to a lake and all four a sucked below the lake where they arrive at the Isle of Mona. It is there that they find Hen Wen. The King tells them that they can find the Black Cauldron at Marshes of Morva. The people take Hen Wen back to Dallben while one of the King's assistant shows them where Morva is. At the home of the Three Witches, Taran trades his sword for the Black Cauldron and the witches tell them that the only why to defeat the Black Cauldron is that a life must willing give itself up and plunge into the Black Cauldron. With the bit of information the Three Witches leave. The four of them are by the campfire when the Horned King's warrior captures Taran, Eilonwy, and Fflewddur. Gurgi is able to avoid capture. At the castle of the Horned King, the king is able to bring his army of dead to life and sends them on a killing spree. Gurgi is able to sneak into the castle and free his friends. It is Gurgi whose sacrifice his life to destroy the Army of Dead. The Horned King returns to the Black Cauldron and tries to sacrifice Taran so he can bring his army back to life. Taran is able to defeat the Horned King and the Horned King dies at the mercy of the Black Cauldron. The trio makes their escape from the castle before it is destroyed. Once on land the Three Witches make their appearance again and try to reclaim the Black Cauldron. Fflewddur intervenes (the first time in the movie he has shown courage) and demands a trade for the Black Cauldron. At first they give the sword back but Taran realizes he is not a warrior but an Assistant Pig Keeper turns down the offer. In the end he bargains for the life of Gurgi. The Three Witches accept the bargain and bring Gurgi back to life and they get the Black Cauldron. In the end the four are head back to Caer Dallben. I had a very hard time trying to follow the movie. Also this movie was a first that this was not musical movie. In the past there would have been a least song, spoken or instrumental, is a Disney movie. Also not since Alice In Wonderland where there screen credits at the end of the movie. The Black Cauldron was a bust at the box office, but did manage to have a cult following in later years. The Black Cauldron gets a C-.
Chapter Selection
Set Up
Bonus Material
A) Quest for the Black Cauldron Game
B) Trick Or Treat Cartoon
C) Still Frame Gallery
D) Theatrical Trailer
Sneak Peeks
A) Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins
B) Toy Story 2
C) Fantasia 2000
D) Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
Play
DVD Review: Potential Epic gone wrong
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie could have been good but instead it's a boring generic fantasy movie. I've read the original books and I can't expect the movie to be exactly like the books but I expect the movie to be entertaining none the less.
This movie is awful not because it wasn't faithful to the books but because it's a dull generic rendition of a much more vivid and thrilling fantasy adventure.If only they would remake it in the same way Narnia was treated as an installment of the book series or at least add more action sequences.
Description of The Black Cauldron (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 05/24/2000 Run time: 80 minutes Rating: PgGeneral DVDs
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