Black Cauldron (Widescreen)

 

 

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As an adoring fan of the Lloyd Alexander books this film was loosely adapted from, I have to admit that I have a biased view. The books are so lovely that I purchased this video before seeing it, assuming that since Disney was given such great material to work with it would be a piece of art. I was sorely dissapointed. I suggest that any fan of the books stay away from this movie all together, or at least view it before you make the investment in purchasing it. You'll find many important characters missing, and several key elements to the plot have changed.
I feel that Disney would have done well to make the full series, rather than try and combine the events of The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron and cram them into one movie.
However, Disney's version of The Black Cauldron does have its good points. The animation is rather nice. It's rather simple, but it serves its purpose very well. It's a bit refreshing to see Disney make such a different movie from it's norm. This one is very dark, and doesn't rely on song to pull you in. The characters, while dissapointing if you're familiar with the books, are still portrayed rather interestingly in their own rights. The Horned King is pretty well established, and early on you get a feeling that he just drips with evil. Gurgi, although very different from his written counterpart, is a very loveable character, and brings a bright spot to the otherwise very gloomy feeling of the film. The voice acting is good, the sound effects are of the highest quality, and the score does an adept job at setting the mood.
If you are unfamiliar with the books, and watch the movie with an open mind, it can really be quite enjoyable, but it's noteworthy that this movie has a PG Rating, not the G Rating that most annimated Disney films feature. There are some scenes that I find rather innapropriate for a children's film, including a scene where Fflewddur is changed into a toad and gets stuck in a woman's cleavage, and some of the scenes with The Horned King and the Cauldron-Born which may be very disturbing for sensitive children. I recommend parents pre-view this movie before deeming it appropriate for their young children.

I thought that this movie was good because it had a different feel from most disney movies,but I was a bit disappointed there was no music

I disagree that is this film is in the Top Worst 5's,and I was shocked and surprised by the negative reviews; I thought this film was AWESOME!and I have also read the "Chronicles of Prydain" book series too (from which this film is based on; which was book #2 with the same title).

I love Princess Eilonwy, she is beautiful and cute as button and a brave little lady, and her kiss with Taran at the end knocked me for a loop (*sigh* you know, she and Taran do make a cute couple in my books),and I also love Gurgi, he is SO cute (and talks funny too); so this film film is an Awesome Disney Fantasy.

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1.0 out of 5 stars There is a reason why Disney never mentions this movie...
I came across this movie one day and was surprised I had never heard of it. There's a reason for that. Read more

Published on Dec 14 2007 by Aluria

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Show This to Young Kids
Be aware that this movie is really not for young kids. I saw it as a child and still exactly remember the nightmares I had for months. It may be a cartoon, but it is scary!

Published on Nov 22 2007 by 80's Cartoon Lover

1.0 out of 5 stars Disney wrost movie.
Why bother with this wrost cartoon. There heads are not on tight. I let the MST3000 think about this movie.

Published on July 17 2004 by Thomas Dickensheets

3.0 out of 5 stars Black & Blue
I love all the risks and new avenues this film took. There is much love and thought that went into its creation. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2004 by Bruce Aguilar

3.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Effort 3 and a half.
Epic medevil stories are hard to put on film, and are more challenging to put in an animated film. In the Black Cauldron Disney gave it's best. Read more

Published on May 23 2004 by Ryne Williams

1.0 out of 5 stars A horrible movie (I give is -5 stars)
I was excited to see this movie after having read the books. Not only is this movie one of the worst cartoons I have ever seen, but it is a sacralige that it is associated in any... Read more

Published on May 10 2004 by Jamie Cooper

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BLACK CAULDRON
I love this film. And it has no songs which is great. It is a very short film, dark, and with a very simple plot, but with wonderful voices of the characters. Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by The Seeker

5.0 out of 5 stars Disney's 25th Animated Masterpiece!
Disney's The Black Cauldron is often remembered, or better yet, not remembered as one of their greatest achievements. Read more

Published on April 13 2004 by FredeRicko

4.0 out of 5 stars Well, They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To!
It's no secret that Disney has been . . . . . . . well, slacking off lately. (Quite frankly, they suck. Read more

Published on Feb 16 2004 by Erik Morton

3.0 out of 5 stars Bad Writing Slays the Horned King
Lloyd Alexlander's Prydain series consists of four books, the second of which, the Black Cauldron, continues the story long after the characters of Taran, the princess, the... Read more

Published on Feb 14 2004 by Mark D Burgh

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