Film Review #20: The Black Cauldron

In what was one of the biggest failures in terms of developing, creating, and expressing a popular fantasy story, Walt Disney's 25th Animated film is one of the biggest disappointments in cinematic history.  The film even lost to The Care Bears Movie in it's opening weekend.  But does that mean there is nothing redeemable about this film?  If you ever have ever read the book series, then you want everyone involved with this film to have something bad happen to them.  If you saw the movie first (like I did) is it really as bad as Disney makes it seem?

Plot: In the mystic land of Prydain, a young farmhand named Taran dreams of becoming a famous heroic warrior, during a dark age where an evil warlord rules.  Taran learns that his pig has the power to create visions and reveals that the evil Horned King is searching for an evil relic called The Black Cauldron, which can create an undead army.

The King hunts for the pig, while Taran and his new friends, a plucky and beautiful princess named Eilonwy, a mischievous fur ball named Gurgi, and the bumbling bard, Fflewddur Flam, seek to find the cauldron before the wicked war lord does, but do not yet comprehend what they must sacrifice to achieve it.

What's Bad?: The characters are under developed.  In the novel, Eilonwy is a plucky, hot-tempered witch who uses her powers to help Taran on his journeys.  Fflewddur is more heroic in the novels and Taran actually stops being a prick in the first book, and only asks brashly in order to help his friends or impress Eilonwy.

Also, the Horned King is one of the most disappointing villain portrayals in film history.  He was once a ruthless monster who hunted his prey and slaughtered millions, like General Grievous.  But in here, he is just a creepy looking angry guy.

Speaking of the characters, virtually half of the entire cast of the series is cut out.  This includes Coll the gardener, Prince Gwydion, Adaon, Queen Achren, Medwyn the caretaker, High King Math, Gwystel, King Morgant, Prince Elidyr, and the MAIN VILLAIN of the series, Arawn Death-Lord.  It still makes me wonder why there hasn't been at least a second attempt to make these movies.

What's Good?: Um...well...The film is very pretty to look at.  I mean, it is one of the most beautiful films Disney had done since Sleeping Beauty and the most beautiful until The Little Mermaid.  Also, while the books are so much better, the film is at least watchable.

Overall: The film is agonizing to watch after having read the novels, but on it's own, it's okay.  It isn't as bad as something like Chicken Little or Home on the Range, but it is one of the worst of the pre 2000's era.  If you skip it, no one would blame you.

Report Card

Hero:                                 C+
Heroine:                            B-
Villain:                              D
Side Characters:              C
Songs:                               N/A
Musical Score:                 A-
Animation:                      A
Special Effects:               A
Story:                               D
Themes:                          C-

Final Score:                    C


If you haven't already.  Please go out and read the novels yourself.  The Chronicles of Prydain is one of the best fantasy series of all time and goes under the radar of the criminally overrated Harry Potter and the bible of fantasy Lord of the Rings.