The Black Cauldron just turned 30

[HarryCanyon]

This year one of the most underrated Disney films just turned 30.

This was the first Disney animated film i saw in theaters at age 4 and saw it 2 times and dug it, a shame it took only 12 years to hit video and i bought it first day at age 17 on video. I had computer game with stuffed Gurgi and readalong with cassette as a kid.

This movie is quite different than other Disney films and i thought it's a fresh one, it reminds me of adult animated fantasy flicks like Heavy Metal, Fire and Ice, Wizards, Ninja Scroll and Princess Mononoke with other fantasy stuff at the time like The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal, Secret of NIMH and Conan.

John Hurt is terrific as the bad guy and his character reminds me of Skeletor from He-Man in some way.

[HarryCanyon]

Anyone else have fond memories?

[tlc38tlc38]

The first time I watched this movie was when the VHS was first released and I've loved it ever since. So underrated. We need this on Blu-ray!!!!

[Nala]

Anyone else have fond memories?

It was the first animated film to be rated PG but I love the animation.

[carolinakid]

It was never a real favorite of mine but I would love to see a restored version on DVD or Bluray. I saw it in the theater in 1985 during its original release. And I remember the counter service Gurgi's Munchies and Crunchies in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at WDW. I think the Friar's Nook today is where it used to be. I believe that was about the only reference that made it into the domestic parks. Disneyland has its Emporium windows decorated with BC scenes in 1985. And the Horned King was featured in Cinderella Castle at Tokyo DL.

[Mickeyfan1990]

It was the first animated film to be rated PG but I love the animation.

Well, the first Disney animated film to receive that rating. Watership Down got a PG rating and that 7 years before Black Cauldron was released.

[Hardbackyoyo]

I have a petition to get Disney to release The Black Cauldron fully uncut on Blu-Ray, with the 12 missing minutes of completed animation added back in. I already got many of the people who worked on it to sign.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/111/421/ ... n-blu-ray/

[HarryCanyon]

I believe the first PG-rated animated movies were Shinbone Alley and Fantastic Planet in the early 70s.

[Avaitor]

It was never a real favorite of mine but I would love to see a restored version on DVD or Bluray. I saw it in the theater in 1985 during its original release. And I remember the counter service Gurgi's Munchies and Crunchies in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at WDW. I think the Friar's Nook today is where it used to be. I believe that was about the only reference that made it into the domestic parks. Disneyland has its Emporium windows decorated with BC scenes in 1985. And the Horned King was featured in Cinderella Castle at Tokyo DL.

I just looked up Gurgi's Munchies and Crunchies, and I found this. I didn't know that a place like this existed, heh.

But I also recently found out that there briefly was a Return to Oz float for the Main Street Electrical Parade. The more that you know!

[Sotiris]

On October 15th, a screening of The Black Cauldron was held at The El Capitan to commemorate the film's 30th anniversary. It featured a panel with the filmmakers and artists who worked on the film.




Don Hahn was the moderator of the panel who also released a countdown video about "5 things you didn't know about The Black Cauldron" to promote the screening. It's a very interesting short video. For one, I never knew that they recycled effects animation from Fantasia. He also mentioned that those attending the screening would be seeing the film for the first time "the way the original filmmakers intended". Does that mean they reinstated the notorious cut scenes for a possible Blu-ray release? I sure hope so!




The Laughing Place released a recap of the panel with plenty of pictures and concept artwork that was shown.

The Black Cauldron at the El Capitan Theatre
http://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles ... n-theatre/

[Tristy]

Yep. You can totally tell how much Disney loves this movie with the very dramatic quick shots emphasizing Don Hahn saying the title and the fact that he keeps calling Hen Wen a "he."

[Flanger-Hanger]

He also mentioned that those attending the screening would be seeing the film for the first time "the way the original filmmakers intended". Does that mean they reinstated the notorious cut scenes for a possible Blu-ray release? I sure hope so!

Doubtful, he probably just meant that the movie would be shown in its Technirama ratio or print.

[DisneyFan09]

I'm surprised that Disney gives this movie a convention. It seems as Disney has always neglected this movie and depicted it as a dud.

I've seen the movie once and I found it to be bland and mediocre. It didn't felt as a Disney movie. But perhaps I should give it another shot?

But considering that "Black Cauldron" is labeled as one of Disney's darkest, one must wonder if Disney will make a similar convention to "Hunchback" next year, due to "Hunchback" being labeled as one of Disney's darkest?

[rodis]

I watched it a few nights ago and honestly it's very clear why it tanked. The pacing is so off and the dialogue is often cringe-worthy. Also, the whole sword-cauldron trade with the witches is so redundant - could they not figure out another way?

On the plus side, I liked the dark tone and some of the backgrounds are breathtaking (particularly inside the castle; outdoors design was a little weak and flat).

I'm still eagerly waiting for a blu-ray release though.

[HarryCanyon]

I'm surprised that Disney gives this movie a convention. It seems as Disney has always neglected this movie and depicted it as a dud.

I've seen the movie once and I found it to be bland and mediocre. It didn't felt as a Disney movie. But perhaps I should give it another shot?

But considering that "Black Cauldron" is labeled as one of Disney's darkest, one must wonder if Disney will make a similar convention to "Hunchback" next year, due to "Hunchback" being labeled as one of Disney's darkest?

So you don't think it's a true Disney movie cause it's not a musical and dark and all that?

[DisneyFan09]

So you don't think it's a true Disney movie cause it's not a musical and dark and all that?

Not particularly. I think the overall tone and look of the movie seems more Don Bluth-esque than Disney.

[justcuttinhair]

anyone know if they will upload the entire panel discussion to youtube? would love to hear what is discussed....i felt that the one for Emperor's New Groove was wayy too short!

[HarryCanyon]

So you don't think it's a true Disney movie cause it's not a musical and dark and all that?

Not particularly. I think the overall tone and look of the movie seems more Don Bluth-esque than Disney.

Well what makes Disney Disney in essence?

And have you seen animated fantasy flicks like The Last Unicorn, Secret of NIMH, Heavy Metal, Fire and Ice, Wizards, Ninja Scroll and Princess Mononoke? i would compare BC to those even to Dark Crystal if you consider DC animated of course since it's considered an animated movie. Or are Heavy Metal, Fire and Ice, Wizards, Ninja Scroll and Princess Mononoke more for adults?

[Sotiris]

Creepy Classics: The Black Cauldron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNUrrKiXXvY

[blackcauldron85]

Thank you for sharing that! Yay, Disney's giving it some love. Great concept art in that video, too! (I love that another favorite of mine, Return to Oz, also has an episode!!)