I wanted to give some love to a wonderful but somewhat forgotten classic animated film, The Last Unicorn:
Adapted from the novel with a screenplay by the original author, The Last Unicorn follows the title character as she leaves the safety of her forest to discover what happened to her people. Through various twists and turns, the Unicorn learns more about herself and the wider world than she thought possible or that she bargained for, and the ending is both bittersweet and something of a surprise.
Although ostensibly a children's film, The Last Unicorn is, in fact, a far more mature and richly layered narrative that is, by turns, a coming of age story, a mystery, a romance and a stirring tale of heroism. This movie is a fairy tale, but it's more in the mold of the Brothers Grimm. For example, there are moments filled with sorrow and bitterness that you'll never see in a Disney film, such as Molly Grue's lament upon meeting the Unicorn:
Moving stuff.
The film also isn't afraid to bring the dark, such as when the Harpy kills Mommy Fortuna by ripping off the latter's face:
You'll never see THAT in a Disney film, either.
The movie also boasts an all-star vocal cast, including Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, Alan Arkin and, Saruman himself, Christopher Lee, who are all excellent, bringing depth and distinct personalities to their roles. Furthermore, the mellow but melancholy soundtrack, performed by America, fits perfectly.
Like all the best "Young Adult" fiction, The Last Unicorn always treats its audience with intelligence and respect. It is unafraid to ask tough questions and demand tough answers. For example, the Unicorn learns that the world can be hard and unfair, even if or, indeed, because you've done the right thing.
I recommend this movie not only to speculative fiction fans but anyone who likes challenging, engaging and though provoking media.
Adapted from the novel with a screenplay by the original author, The Last Unicorn follows the title character as she leaves the safety of her forest to discover what happened to her people. Through various twists and turns, the Unicorn learns more about herself and the wider world than she thought possible or that she bargained for, and the ending is both bittersweet and something of a surprise.
Although ostensibly a children's film, The Last Unicorn is, in fact, a far more mature and richly layered narrative that is, by turns, a coming of age story, a mystery, a romance and a stirring tale of heroism. This movie is a fairy tale, but it's more in the mold of the Brothers Grimm. For example, there are moments filled with sorrow and bitterness that you'll never see in a Disney film, such as Molly Grue's lament upon meeting the Unicorn:
Molly: No, it can't be! Can it be? Where have you been? Where have you been? Damn you! Where have you been?
Schmendrick: Don't you talk to her that way!
Unicorn: I'm here now.
Molly: And where were you twenty years ago? Ten years ago? Where were you when I was new? When I was one of those innocent young maidens you always come to? How dare you! How dare you come to me now, when I am THIS?! [Weeps]
Moving stuff.
The film also isn't afraid to bring the dark, such as when the Harpy kills Mommy Fortuna by ripping off the latter's face:
You'll never see THAT in a Disney film, either.
From top to bottom, this is a fantastic film. Produced by Rankin/Bass, the guys that made the iconic animated versions of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Return of the King, the animation in The Last Unicorn is stylistically similar but qualitatively superior to those other films, which is unsurprising since it was done by Topcraft, a company that was bought out of bankruptcy by its top flight talent and turned into Studio Ghibli.
The movie also boasts an all-star vocal cast, including Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, Alan Arkin and, Saruman himself, Christopher Lee, who are all excellent, bringing depth and distinct personalities to their roles. Furthermore, the mellow but melancholy soundtrack, performed by America, fits perfectly.
Like all the best "Young Adult" fiction, The Last Unicorn always treats its audience with intelligence and respect. It is unafraid to ask tough questions and demand tough answers. For example, the Unicorn learns that the world can be hard and unfair, even if or, indeed, because you've done the right thing.
I recommend this movie not only to speculative fiction fans but anyone who likes challenging, engaging and though provoking media.
SC's Parting Shot: 10 of 10
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