“The Black Cauldron” is an animated film that follows the journey of a young pig-keeper named Taran, who must retrieve a powerful cauldron from the clutches of the evil Horned King in order to save his kingdom. Along the way, Taran is joined by a lovable creature named Gurgi and together they face numerous obstacles and challenges. The film is filled with dark imagery and intense action sequences, culminating in a thrilling showdown between Taran and the Horned King.”
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Review
In 1985, Disney released an animated film that was vastly different from their usual fare. The Black Cauldron was a dark and fantastical tale that combined traditional animation with groundbreaking special effects. It was the studio’s first PG-rated film, and received mixed reviews at the time. However, it has since gained a cult following and is now regarded as one of Disney’s most underrated films.
Based on Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain series, The Black Cauldron tells the story of Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who dreams of being a hero. When the evil Horned King seeks to use the magical black cauldron to summon an army of undead warriors, Taran sets out to stop him. Along the way, he meets a princess named Eilonwy, a minstrel named Fflewddur Fflam, and a creature called Gurgi.
One of the most notable things about The Black Cauldron is its darker tone. The Horned King is one of Disney’s most terrifying villains – a skeletal figure with red eyes and a booming voice (voiced by John Hurt). There are scenes of death and destruction that would not have been seen in Disney films before or since.
Despite its dark moments, The Black Cauldron also has moments of humor and heart. Gurgi may be one of the most divisive characters in Disney history – some find him endearing while others find him annoying – but he provides several moments of levity amid the darkness.
The film was directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich, with animation direction by Tim Burton (yes, that Tim Burton). It features an impressive voice cast, including Grant Bardsley as Taran, Susan Sheridan as Eilonwy, Nigel Hawthorne as Fflewddur Fflam, and Freddie Jones as Dallben.
One standout aspect of the film is its score by Elmer Bernstein. It is a sweeping and epic soundtrack that perfectly matches the film’s tone. The film also features a song by folk singer Charlotte Church, “May It Be.”
The Black Cauldron was not a box office success upon its release. It was overshadowed by other films that came out around the same time, such as Back to the Future and The Goonies. However, it has since gained a following among fans of dark fantasy and animation.
The film’s production was fraught with difficulties, including budget concerns and creative differences among the filmmakers. There were several different versions of the script before it was finalized, and even then there were changes made during production.
One of the most striking things about The Black Cauldron is its use of computer-generated imagery (CGI). This was still a relatively new technology at the time, but it was used to great effect in several scenes – particularly the scenes involving the cauldron itself.
The film’s legacy has been somewhat contentious. Some see it as a forgotten gem that deserves more recognition, while others see it as a misstep in Disney’s history. Regardless of one’s opinion on the film itself, there is no denying its impact on Disney animation. It paved the way for more experimental and mature films like The Lion King and Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
It is worth noting that The Black Cauldron was not without its controversies. Some critics felt that it was too dark for children – Roger Ebert famously gave it one star and said “it might be too frightful for very young children.” Additionally, there were concerns raised over some of the character designs – particularly those of Eilonwy and Gurgi.
Despite these criticisms, The Black Cauldron remains a unique entry in Disney’s filmography. Its blend of traditional animation with cutting-edge special effects creates an immersive world that feels both timeless and ahead of its time. It may not be a perfect film, but it is certainly one that deserves more appreciation than it has received. As Taran says in the film, “even in darkness, there is still hope.”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 80
- Release : 1985-07-24
- Genre : Animation, Adventure, Family
- Cast : Grant Bardsley as Taran (voice), Susan Sheridan as Eilonwy (voice), John Byner as Gurgi / Doli (voice), Nigel Hawthorne as Fflewddur Fflam (voice), John Hurt as The Horned King (voice)
- Crew : Ron Miller as Executive Producer, Richard Portman as Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Robert Hathaway as Sound Supervisor, Elmer Bernstein as Original Music Composer, Mark A. Hester as Assistant Director
- Popularity 25.815
- Budget : $25,000,000
- Revenue : $21,288,692
- Company : Silver Screen Partners II, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Productions
- Summary : Taran is an assistant pigkeeper with boyish dreams of becoming a great warrior. However, he has to put the daydreaming aside when his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, is kidnapped by an evil lord known as the Horned King. The villain hopes Hen will show him the way to The Black Cauldron, which has the power to create a giant army of unstoppable soldiers.
- Tagline : Hidden by darkness. Guarded by witches. Discovered by a boy. Stolen by a king. Whoever owns it will rule the world. Or destroy it.
