The Black Cauldron (1985)

Average rating

(62%)

Starring:	Nigel Hawthorne \| John Hurt \| Freddie Jones
Director:	Richard Rich, Ted Berman
Studio:	WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO
Run time:	77 mins
Genres:	Children \| Family
Languages:	English
Released:	November 18, 2002

Young would-be warrior Taran searches for the titular magic vessel, lest it fall into the dastardly hands of the evil Horned King and allow him to summon an army of the undead. Fortunately, assisting in his quest are a feisty princess, the furry, friendly Gurgi, and psychic pig Hen Wen. Unusually dark but highly acclaimed Disney fare, released to video thirteen years after its theatrical run. Based on the juvenile fantasy novel by Lloyd Alexander; part of the "Chronicles of Prydain" series. Gold Collection Edition features a spooky bonus cartoon.

Rating of 3 stars out of 5

The most distinguished element of this medium-rated Disney animation, from a Tolkien-like series by Lloyd Alexander, is the solemn intonation of narrator John Huston. Otherwise, it's standard stuff about likeable teenagers (of course!) trying to stop the Horned King and co from using a magic cauldron to raise an Army of the Dead. As swords-and-sorcery, it's potboiling stuff.

Rating of 1 stars out of 5
Halliwell's Film Guide

Assured but somehow quite forgettable Disney cartoon feature.

Highest rated reviews

5 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
A Disney animated classic

Amy ET Robinson from Surrey England, 18th March, 2006

I love this movie, except for the ending its quite open ended with no definite conclusion, but maybe they were going to make a sequel? Animation is brilliant where people look like people in the classic style of Disney. An unlikely hero who dreams of being a hero finds it harder than he thinks! aided by a beautiful princess not afraid to speak her mind and not helpless and an not so truthful ministrel and a furball! A winning combination. The story is good but because of the ending one star is dropped.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3 stars
rainy day movie

Mimi23 from , 13th October, 2008

We rented this as remembered it from childhood - it does now look dated in places and didn't quite hold the same 'magic' it used to. The story does end rather ambiguously and perhaps a little quicker than expected too, but overall, it's a good yarn. I found the animation interesting and it was all pretty good fun to watch. There seem to be a fair few reviews commenting on how scary kids will find it - I'm sure this is a slight overreaction, as though there are some scarier scenes, I'm sure most children would just find it exciting and enjoyable. This film won't be up to the standard of most Disney classics, but it's a good way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy afternoon.

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