Night at the Movies: The Black Cauldron

Night At The Movies

The Black Cauldron (1985) (Disney)

Synopsis:
Taran, an assistant pig keeper, learns the pig he takes care of is psychic, and he must hide her from the evil Horned King. The Horned King is searching for the Black Cauldron, an object which can create an army of the dead to help him take over the world. Taran's adventures begin when the pig is captured and he goes to save her. Along the way he meets Gurgi, a furry creature with a bottomless pit for a stomach, Princess Eilwony, a girl who was captured by the Horned King, and Fflewder Flam, a traveling minstrel. When the Horned King finds the Cauldron, it is up to Taran to keep him from fulfilling his goal.

Availability:
Released on video August 4, 1998

Cast/Crew
Richard Rich                    Director
        The Swan Princess
        The Fox and the Hound

Miscellaneous:
    This was the first film in Disney's history to use computer animation.
    Originally released in theaters in 1985, it was finally released on video in 1998, thirteen years later.

MPAA Rating:
    PG (The only Disney animated film to garner that high of a rating) for violence.

My Rating:
While it may be dark, I really like this film. It has its humorous parts, and it is one of the few Disney Films that can tell a story without songs. Parents are strongly cautioned to keep small children away, there is a graphic death reminiscent of what happens in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (Well, it is not extremely graphic, but it could cause youngsters to experience bad dreams).

***1/2
A-I Night at the Movies